FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 29, 2008

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

IMLS Requests Proposals for the Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant

Deadline: May 15, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) invites proposals for the Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant. Nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians are eligible for the grant program, which has a total budget of $510,500.

The grant program supports library services to the Native Hawaiian community to enhance existing services or implement new services:

• to expand services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages;
• to develop library services that provide all users with access to information
  through local, state, regional, national, and international electronic networks;
• to provide electronic and other linkages between and among all types of libraries;
• to develop public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations;
• to target library services to help increase access and ability to use information resources for individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills; and
• to target library and information services to help increase access and ability to use information resources for persons having difficulty using a library and for underserved urban and rural communities, including children from birth to age 17 from families with incomes below the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget).

The grant application and guidelines may be viewed and accessed at the IMLS website at: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/nativeHawaiian.shtm. All applicants for the Native Hawaiian Library Services program are required to file their applications online through Grants.gov. Read more. The proposal deadline is May 15, 2008. Funded activities should be scheduled to take place between October 1, 2008, and September 30, 2009.

Program Contact
Alison Freese, Senior Program Officer
Phone: 202/653-4665
E-mail: afreese@imls.gov

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.