[United States Government Manual]
[September 15, 2009]
[Pages 449-451]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



Institute of Museum and Library Services

1800 M Street NW., 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
Phone, 202-653-4657. Internet, www.imls.gov. Email, [email protected].
DIRECTOR                                          Anne-Imelda M. Radice
Deputy Director for Library Services              Mary L. Chute
Deputy Director for Museum Services               Marsha Semmel

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Deputy Director for Policy, Planning, Research,   Mamie Bittner
        and Communications
Chief of Staff                                    Kate Fernstrom
Counselor to the Director                         Schroeder Cherry
Director, Strategic Partnerships                  Marsha Semmel
Associate Deputy Director for Library Services    Joyce Ray
Associate Deputy Director, State Programs         Laurie Brooks
Associate Deputy Director for Museum Services     Mary Estelle Kennelly
General Counsel                                   Nancy E. Weiss

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The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of 
Federal support for the Nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,000 museums. 
Its mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect 
people to information and ideas. The Institute seeks to sustain 
heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and 
support professional development.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was established 
within the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities by the 
Museum and Library Services Act of September 30, 1996 (110 Stat. 3009-
293), which amended the Museum Services Act (20 U.S.C. 961 et seq.). The 
Institute combines administration of Federal museum programs formerly 
carried out by the Institute of Museum Services and Federal library 
programs formerly carried out by the Department of Education. The 
Institute's director is appointed by the President with the advice and 
consent of the Senate and is authorized to make grants to museums and 
libraries. The Director receives policy advice on museum and library 
programs from the National Museum and Library Services Board, which is 
comprised of 20 members appointed by the President, the Director, the 
Deputy Director for the Office of Museum Services, and the Deputy 
Director for the Office of Library Services.
    In addition to providing distinct programs of support for museums 
and libraries, IMLS encourages collaboration between these community 
resources. The Institute's library programs help libraries use new 
technologies to identify, preserve, and share library and information 
resources across institutional, local, and State boundaries and to reach 
those for whom library use requires extra effort or special materials. 
Museum programs strengthen museum operations, improve care of 
collections, increase professional development opportunities, and 
enhance the community service role of museums.
    IMLS awards grants to all types of museums and libraries. Eligible 
museums include art, history, general, children's, natural history, 
science and technology, as well as historic houses, zoos and aquariums, 
botanical gardens and arboretums, nature centers, and planetariums. 
Eligible libraries include public, school, academic, research, and 
special libraries. The Institute makes grants in 11 program categories. 
These grants improve electronic sharing of information and expand public 
access to an increasing wealth of information and services.
Native American Library Services  This program provides small grants to 
tribes and Alaska Native villages for core library operations, technical 
assistance, and enhancement grants to promote innovative practices.
Native Hawaiian Library Services  This program provides grants to 
nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native 
Hawaiians.
National Leadership Grants  This program provides grants to enhance the 
quality of library and museum services nationwide. Awarded projects 
demonstrate national impact and generate results--whether new tools, 
research, models, services, practices, or alliances--that can be widely 
adapted or

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replicated to extend the benefit of Federal support.
Museums for America  This program provides funds to aid museums in 
advancing their capacity to serve a wider, more diverse public through 
education, partnerships, and technology.
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarians Program  This program supports 
efforts to recruit and educate the next generation of librarians and the 
faculty who will prepare them for careers in library science.
21st Century Museum Professionals  This program supports the preparation 
of museum professionals for the future by updating and expanding their 
knowledge and skills.
Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services  This program enables 
Native American tribes and organizations that primarily serve Native 
Hawaiians to benefit their communities and audiences through 
strengthened museum services in the areas of programming, professional 
development, and enhancement of museum services.
Conservation Project Support  This program awards matching grants to 
help museums identify conservation needs and priorities and perform 
activities to ensure the safekeeping of their collections.
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture  This program 
enables African American museums to gain knowledge and abilities in the 
areas of management, operations, programming, collections care, and 
other museum skills.
Museum Assessment Program  IMLS helps support the cost of the Museum 
Assessment Program through a cooperative agreement with the American 
Association of Museums. The program is designed to help museums assess 
their strengths and weaknesses and plan for the future.
Conservation Assessment Program  IMLS helps support the cost of the 
Conservation Assessment Program through a cooperative agreement with 
Heritage Preservation. The program is designed to support a 2-day site 
visit by a conservation professional to perform the assessment and up to 
3 days to write the report.
National Medals for Museum and Library Service  This program recognizes 
outstanding museums and libraries that provide meaningful public service 
for their communities.

Sources of Information

Electronic Access  Information about IMLS programs, application 
guidelines, and lists of grantees are available electronically. 
Internet, www.imls.gov. Email, [email protected].
Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements  For information about 
applying for IMLS funding, contact the appropriate program office. 
Museums should contact the Office of Museum Services, Institute of 
Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street NW., 9th Floor, Washington, 
DC 20036 (phone, 202-653-4798). Libraries should contact the Office of 
Library Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20036 (phone, 202-653-4700).

For further information, contact the Office of Public and Legislative 
Affairs, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20036. Phone, 202-653-4757. Internet, www.imls.gov. 
Email, [email protected].

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