[Libs-Or] IMLS Announces Connecting to Collections: Statewide Planning Grants

[Ann Reed]

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeannine Mjoseth [mailto:JMjoseth at IMLS.GOV] 
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 1:01 PM
To: Jeannine Mjoseth
Subject: IMLS Announces Connecting to Collections: Statewide Planning Grants

The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can be viewed on the agency's Web site at http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/021909.shtm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009

Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth at imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner at imls.gov 

IMLS Announces 2009 Award of 23 Connecting to Collections: Statewide Planning Grants

Washington, DC-The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) today awarded 23 Connecting to Collections: Statewide Planning Grants that will be used to create statewide conservation plans for collections held in libraries, museums, and archives. To view the winners of this year's grants, please go to http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/021909_list.shtm.

"I applaud these grantees as they take action to combat the crises in collections care that threaten to rob our heritage," said Anne-Imelda Radice, IMLS Director. "They represent a wide array of approaches to planning, from a system of conservation "circuit-riders" in Virginia working with small institutions across the state to the first-ever statewide preservation assessment of material culture collections in Utah." 

Under the program, 23 states will receive $908,206, matched with
$621,073 of non-federal funds to foster partnerships among organizations in a state, commonwealth, or territory to provide safe conditions for its collections, develop emergency plans, assign responsibility for collections care, and marshal public and private support for collections care. Grantees included eight museums and museum associations, five state libraries, two historical societies, five state agencies that oversee museums and libraries, and three universities and service organizations. 

Funded projects included:
* Maine, with its large geographic area and relatively sparse population, will create a collaborative and multi-disciplinary working group that will compile, organize, and analyze the existing collections-based information and create associated databases on a statewide basis. It will also create a feasibility assessment of existing organizations to steward the collections and create a values assessment ranking system to assist institutions in targeting limited resources. 

* Kentucky will develop and conduct a survey to determine the needs of cultural and heritage collecting institutions in the state. It will develop and execute a pilot project with three to five collecting institutions that will inform the development of a statewide collections management plan. It will also conduct disaster planning and preparedness workshops that will provide instructions and guidelines for writing a disaster plan and inform the development of a statewide disaster response team. 

* The University of Utah will work with seven partners to develop and implement the state's first formal preservation assessment of museums, libraries, and archives. In keeping with the findings of the Heritage Health Index report, the results from this survey will be disseminated through four preservation forums that will be used to improve preservation-related educational and funding opportunities statewide.

This is the second year IMLS has awarded Statewide Planning Grants, an important component of the IMLS initiative, Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action. IMLS launched the initiative in response to the 2005 Heritage Health Index report on the dire state of the nation's collections. According to the report by Heritage Preservation, approximately 190 million objects could be lost in just a few short years without immediate attention. The report also found that 65 percent of collecting institutions report damage to collections due to improper storage and 80 percent did not have an emergency plan for their collections or trained staff to carry it out.

Over the next two years, IMLS intends to award a grant to each eligible state, commonwealth, or territory to advance their collective conservation goals guided by the Heritage Health Index recommendations.

The next and final deadline for the statewide planning grants is October 16, 2009. For more information, please visit:
http://www.imls.gov/collections/grants/planning.htm. 

IMLS intends to issue a limited number of implementation grants to statewide planning grantees in 2010. 

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.