[Libs-Or] [Fwd: IMLS UPDATES NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM]

[Ann Reed]

This just in from the IMLS.  The agency funds the state's LSTA grant 
program, but also has grant programs using LSTA funds that it 
administers directly.

The following is a text only press release from the Institute of Museum
and Library Services (IMLS). You can read an HTML version of the release
at: http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/042604.htm
<http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/042604.htm> 

 

April 26, 2004 

IMLS UPDATES NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM: New structure helps
libraries and museums better serve their communities 

WASHINGTON, DC - The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has
updated its National Leadership Grant program. Program categories have
been renamed and clarified to improve cross-agency consistency. The new
structure helps build the capacity of libraries and museums to extend
learning throughout the lifetime. 

Under the National Leadership Grant, the three categories for museums,
three categories for libraries, and one joint category have been
streamlined to three parallel categories across the museum and library
programs. These are "advancing learning communities," "building digital
resources," and "research and demonstration." 

Dr. Robert Martin, Director of IMLS, said, "This change will allow IMLS
to open up new opportunities as well as encourage the exemplary projects
supported in the past." 

National Leadership Grants for Libraries: 

Advancing Learning Communities supports the development of learning
networks and services for people of all ages. Projects will support
learning throughout the lifetime, whether that learning takes place in
communities, in schools, or in the workplace. IMLS will support programs
based on current research in cognitive science; learning and literacy
partnerships among early, adult, and community learning providers;
development of innovative learning technologies using library (and
museum) content; and exploration of new ways to integrate digital and
physical services and programs.

Building Digital Resources supports the creation, use, and preservation
of significant digital resources as well as the development of
management tools. IMLS will support projects that preserve and enhance
access to valuable library resources; support the development of tools
to help libraries (and other collection holders) manage and share
digital assets; address the challenges of preserving and archiving
digital media; and enhance interoperability, integration, and seamless
access to digital assets, particularly projects that are of statewide,
regional, thematic, or national scope. 

Research and Demonstration supports basic and applied research and
demonstration projects to test potential solutions to problems in a
real-world environment. IMLS will support research to enhance libraries'
understanding of learning within and across different age groups;
improve the effectiveness of library and museum services and their
impacts on users; fulfill users' needs and expectations; address
knowledge integration, digital preservation, or the integration of
physical and digital experiences; and develop new methodologies,
standards, or practices. 

National Leadership Grants for Museums: 

Advancing Learning Communities supports the development of museum- and
library based-learning networks and services for people of all ages with
a broad variety of learning goals. A learning society requires a new
vision in which learning is seen as a community-wide responsibility,
supported by both formal and informal educational entities. Projects
under this category will support museum and library programs that
advance learning throughout the lifetime, whether that learning happens
in communities, at work, or at school. Projects may be undertaken both
by individual institutions and by institutions working in partnerships
that may include multiple libraries or museums, as well as other
organizations that support learning. 

Building Digital Resources supports the creation, use, and preservation
of digital library and museum collections and of tools to improve the
management of digital resources. Because of its broad mandate to support
cultural heritage institutions, IMLS is uniquely positioned to help
libraries, museums, and archives develop ways to provide seamless access
to digital content from all types of institutions. This category
provides funding for digitization of nationally significant resources
and for applied research and demonstration projects to improve
electronic access to digital collections. It also can support model
projects to develop statewide digital collaboratives and to create rich
multimedia learning resources that are integrated into school curricula
and informal learning environments. Projects may be undertaken both by
individual institutions and by institutions working in partnerships that
may include multiple libraries or museums, as well as other
organizations that support learning. 

Research and Demonstration supports research in library science and
museum services and demonstration projects that test potential solutions
to problems in real-world situations. Proposals to research theories on
museum- and library-based learning and to validate strategies for
delivering service are encouraged. 

A Word on Partnerships: 

Partnerships are encouraged, though not required in the National
Leadership Grants program. Partners may include community organizations,
institutions and agencies that promote learning, and public media, in
addition to libraries, archives, museums, or other cultural heritage
organizations. 

The 2005 National Leadership Grant guidelines will be available on the
IMLS Web site in October of 2004 http://www.imls.gov
<http://www.imls.gov/> . The deadline for all National Leadership Grant
categories is February 1, 2005. Grants will be awarded in mid-September.
Applicants may request $25,000 to $1,000,000. 

To learn more about IMLS National Leadership Grants and other funding
opportunities for libraries and museums, please see the 2005 IMLS Grants
and Awards program brochure at:
http://www.imls.gov/pubs/pdf/2005programs.pdf
<http://www.imls.gov/pubs/pdf/2005programs.pdf>  

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent Federal
grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of
learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. The
Institute fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by
supporting the nation's 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries. The
Institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit
of libraries and museums. To learn more about the Institute, please log
onto: http://www.imls.gov <http://www.imls.gov/>  

###

 

Eileen Maxwell 
Public Affairs Specialist 
Institute of Museum and Library Services 
1100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. 
Suite 510 
Washington, DC  20506 
202-606-8339 
202-606-8591 (fax) 
emaxwell at imls.gov 
Subscribe to Primary Source, the IMLS monthly e-mail newsletter, for
important museum and library news:
http://www.imls.gov/utility/subscribe.htm.


 



-- 
Ann Reed, Federal Programs Coordinator
Oregon State Library
250 Winter St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 378-2112 Ext 254
fax (503) 378-6439
ann.reed at state.or.us

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