Recipient: Washington State Library
Location: Olympia, WA
Grant: Grants to State Library Administrative Agencies

The Challenge: Research has shown a strong link between student achievement and school library programs. School librarians need to know how to use that research and act strategically to integrate the role of librarian into their school systems. The Washington State Library’s K–12 Library Initiative empowers school library staff with such leadership skills, and has been the farthest reaching training program ever offered to the state’s school librarians. Learn more.

Last week the President’s budget request for FY 07 was submitted to Congress. The budget recommends a 6.1 percent increase for the Institute. This is a tremendous endorsement of the role libraries and museums play in American life. The budget supports the development of people, programs, and services in local museums and libraries across the country, and strengthens the Institute’s capacity as a national leader in support of museum, library, and information policy. Read more.

The numbers tell part of the story, but to learn the true value of libraries and museums, spend a little time reading about the recipients of this year’s National Awards for Museum and Library Service. Six winning institutions, along with members of their communities, were honored in a White House ceremony with Mrs. Laura Bush on January 30. These museums and libraries are exceptional community leaders that change lives forever. They help to sustain our cultural heritage, teach twenty-first-century skills, enhance learning in families and communities, and promote civic engagement.

This month we launched a redesign of our Web site. Along with better navigation to help you find the information you need, the site does a better job of articulating the Institute’s vision and mission. We believe that the purpose of our grantmaking, research, convening, and partnerships is to provide national leadership, thereby empowering libraries and museums to be leaders in their communities. Our Web site is one way to do just that.

- Mary Chute, Acting Director, IMLS

"Historical Collections and their Special Requirements in Digitization" (luncheon discussion), Susan Malbin, Senior Program Officer, Office of Library Services (discussion facilitator), WebWise 2006, Los Angeles, CA, 2/16-2/17.

"Building Sustainability through Collaboration" (luncheon discussion), Martha Crawley, Senior Program Officer, Office of Library Services (discussion facilitator), WebWise 2006, Los Angeles, CA, 2/16-2/17.

"From Applications to Final Reports" George Smith, Associate Deputy Director for State Programs, and Terri Brown, Senior Program Officer, Office of Library Services, Workshop on Library Services Grants to the Pacific Region and the Virgin Islands, Honolulu, HI, 2/21-2/22.

Representing IMLS, Schroeder Cherry, Deputy Director for Museums, Office of Museum Services, Small Museums Association Conference, Ocean City, MD, 2/26-2/28.

“Building a Community Learning Network” Mary L. Chute, Acting Director and Deputy Director for Libraries (moderator), and Marsha Semmel, Director of Strategic Partnerships (panel participant), Public Library Association 2006 National Conference, Boston, MA, 3/23.

"Recruiting Public Librarians for the 21st Century: Lessons Learned from IMLS Grantees" Stephanie Clark, Senior Program Officer, Office of Library Services (panel participant), Public Library Association 2006 National Conference, Boston, MA, 3/24.