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| Vol.
10, No. 1; January 2008 |
| Lincoln Trail’s
PolyTalk Program Speaks Many Languages |
In Illinois’ Lincoln Trail Libraries System and
beyond, a pioneering new program is putting patrons in
touch with people who know their language best and can
connect them to the information they need. One part concierge
desk, to two parts volunteer United Nations, the PolyTalk
program, funded by the Illinois State Library through
IMLS's Grants to State Library Administrative Agencies
program, is the first of its kind to amass a network of
more than 100 interpreters on call any time a library
worker needs an extra hand – or voice.
Read more.
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| Director's
Message |
|  Last
week, we were honored to be at the White House, as the
First Lady graciously awarded the National Medals for
Museum and Library Service. Simply put, these awards
are the highest honor a cultural institution can receive
in this country – an affirmation of how deeply
that institution has connected with its community, captured
the character of its history and surroundings, and inspired
among its visitors a lifelong love of learning and culture.
As with each year, the 2007 class of award
winners was as exceptional as it was diverse, in geography,
subject matter, and communities served. (Read
more about this year’s medalists, PDF, 1MB).
This year, however, marked a number of exciting new
steps forward for these honors – changes that
have elevated these awards to a new level, have opened
the field to greater competition, and have greatly enhanced
our ability to serve the museum and library community:
- For the first time ever,
this year’s honors came in the form of a medal,
similar to those awarded annually by our two sister
agencies, the National Endowment for the Arts and
the National Endowment for the Humanities. Previously
the award had come as a framed certificate. This decision
speaks to the excellence of our winners and the true
magnitude of this honor.
- Because these awards
have now become the gold standard for museums and
libraries, we have seen our roster of outstanding
nominees grow. The task of selecting just six winners,
as in years past, was becoming a great challenge.
As a result, we expanded the number of awards this
year to ten, recognizing five libraries and five museums,
and thus opening the door for more exceptional institutions
to be recognized.
- Finally, recognizing
the examples of excellence, diversity, and forward-thinking
set each year by these winners, we have decided to
harness that talent by creating an alumni association
of medalists. If ever there was a Dream Team of successful
libraries and museums, this is it. This association,
which Debra Polich of 2006 award winner Artrain has
volunteered to lead, will represent an opportunity
not only for winners to share and compare strategies,
but to become a strong and important new voice –
a source of ideas and innovation for cultural institutions
as they face the challenges of the 21st century and
beyond.
- Anne-Imelda M. Radice,
Ph.D., Director, IMLS |
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| The
Latest News |
Participants
Sought for March Hearings on Museum Funding
Avid museum goers, community leaders, museum
professionals, and individuals who have encountered barriers
to museum going are encouraged to make their views known
at one of three public hearings on the use of public funds
for museums. With the testifiers’ permission, testimony
will be recorded and used as part of a report on the public
funding of museums that will be released in the summer
of 2008. The public hearings are the last in a series
of IMLS’s information-gathering efforts designed
to determine the sources and uses of public funds for
museums. Read
more. |
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IMLS Announces the 2008 Award of 19 Connecting to Collections:
Statewide Planning Grants
IMLS has awarded 19 Connecting to Collections:
Statewide Planning Grants that will be used to create
conservation plans for collections held in libraries,
museums, and archives. Under the new program, 19 states
will receive $720, 497, matched with $527,930 of non-federal
funds, to implement recommendations of the Heritage Health
Index Report on the State of America’s Collections,
which found that the nation’s collections are at
great risk.
Read more. |
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Museums,
Libraries, and Archives Urged to Apply for Free IMLS Connecting
to Collections Bookshelf
Deadline extended
to April 30, 2008. IMLS, in cooperation with the
American Association for State and Local History (AASLH),
has extended the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf
deadline to April 30, 2008. The Bookshelf is a core set
of books, online resources, and a user’s guide that
are essential to the care of collections. A simple electronic
application for the free IMLS Bookshelf is available at
www.aaslh.org/Bookshelf.
Read
more |
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Mrs.
Laura Bush Recognizes Top Ten Museums and Libraries at
White House Ceremony; Receives First National Medal
On January 14, First Lady Laura Bush and IMLS Director
Anne Radice honored five libraries and five museums from
Alabama, California, Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Washington DC, Oregon, and Vermont. The National
Medals are the nation’s highest awards for museums
and libraries that make exceptional contributions to their
communities. This is the first year that IMLS has awarded
medals to the 10 institutions along with a $10,000 prize;
in previous years, the National Medal was known as the
National Award for Museum and Library Service and was
awarded to three museums and three libraries. Read
more. |
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National
Medal for Museum and Library Service Deadline for Nomination:
February 15, 2008
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service
(formerly the National Award) honors outstanding institutions
that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches
to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community
outreach and core programs generally associated with its
services. The medal includes prizes of $10,000 to each
recipient and an awards ceremony in Washington, DC. Read
more. |
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Survey
Challenges Belief that the Internet Reduces Library Use
Although the Internet is increasingly important
as a source of information for a majority of Americans,
most adults still use libraries, according to a new survey
by the Pew Internet & American Life Project and the
University of Illinois. This survey of 2,796 Americans
looked at overall library use, as well as library use
for solving problems related to subjects including health
care, education, taxes, and job searches, etc.
Read more. |
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IMLS
Seeks Associate Deputy Director in the Office of Library
Services; Application Deadline: February
15
IMLS is recruiting qualified applicants for the Associate
Deputy Director position in the Office of Library Services
at the GS 14/15 level. The Associate Deputy Director provides
national professional leadership for the agency’s
largest program: the Library Services and Technology Act
(LSTA) Grants to States, which helps the nation’s
libraries serve their communities. Read
more |
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IMLS
Invites Proposals for a Cooperative Agreement to Help
Museums and Libraries Plan, Evaluate, and Share Outstanding
Programs
Deadline for Proposals: March 3, 2008.
The Institute invites proposals for a cooperative agreement
to strengthen the ability of museum and library grantees
to design and deliver programs that preserve cultural
heritage, enhance learning opportunities, encourage innovation,
and support the professional development of library and
museum workers. Read
more. |
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University
of Washington to Examine the Benefits of Free Access to
Computers in Public Libraries
The University of Washington Information School,
working with the Urban Institute – a non-partisan
economic and social policy research organization –
will examine the impact of free access to computers and
the Internet on the well-being of individuals, families,
and communities. The IMLS project will be carried out
with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The research may help guide decision-making and be used
to generate public support for public access computing.
Read more. |
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IMLS
Launches Study of the Public Benefits of LSTA Library
Grants to States
In December, IMLS selected Himmel & Wilson,
a library consulting firm, to conduct a trends analysis
of the Library Grants to States program from 2002 to 2006.
LSTA grants represent the single largest source of federal
funding for the nation’s libraries. From 2002-2006,
IMLS distributed nearly $800 million in federal grants
to the states and territories. Himmel and Wilson will
review the state library administrative agencies’
five-year plans, annual reports, and five-year evaluation
reports. The consultants will also examine audiences reached,
trends in library services, and the outcomes and impact
of library programs.
Read more. |
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IMLS
Conservation Forum, “Preserving America’s
Diverse Heritage,” Set for January 31 - February
1, 2008 in Atlanta
A national initiative designed to save the nation’s
at-risk collections brings its message to Atlanta, Georgia,
January 31 - February 1, 2008, where IMLS will present
“Preserving America’s Diverse Heritage”
at the High Museum of Art and Woodruff Arts Center. The
forum, organized in cooperation with Heritage Preservation,
gives special attention to collections held in small and
medium-sized museums, libraries, and archives.
Read more. |
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Dr.
Radice's Statement on the Loss of Caroline Keck
IMLS mourns the loss of Caroline Keck, one of
our nation’s most esteemed pioneers and practitioners
of art conservation. Caroline and her late husband Sheldon
were perhaps America’s best known conservators over
the last century. In their deft hands, the study and work
of art conservation went from obscure to accessible to
untold thousands of students, professionals and patrons.
Read more. |
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IMLS
Calls for 2008 Coming Up Taller Award Nominations
Deadline for Nominations: January 31. Nominations
are now being accepted for the 2008 Coming Up Taller awards
that recognize and reward outstanding after-school, out-of-school,
and summer arts and humanities programs for underserved
children and youth. Read
more. |
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Time
to Apply for The Big Read
Deadline for Applications: February 12, 2008.
IMLS, in partnership with the National Endowment
for the Arts, announces the fourth deadline for the Big
Read program. The purpose of the Big Read is to revitalize
the role of literature in American popular culture. Grants
ranging from $5,000 - $20,000 are available to encourage
local communities to inspire reading through the Big Read
program. This will be the only application deadline in
2008. www.neabigread.org. |
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2008
Museum Assessment Program Applications Now Available
Deadline: February 15, 2008. Museums are encouraged
to participate in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP),
a confidential process of guided self-study, peer review
and implementation. The program, administered by the American
Association of Museums' (AAM) through a cooperative agreement
with IMLS, enables museums to evaluate current practices,
establish priorities to achieve professional standards
and plan the best and most effective way to serve the
community. Read
more. |
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IMLS
Calls for 2008 Native American Library Services Grant
Applications
Basic Grant Deadline: March
3, 2008; Enhancement Grant: May 1, 2008
The Institute is accepting applications for the 2008 Native
American Library Services Basic Grants and Enhancement
Grants. Basic Grants are available to support existing
library operations and to maintain core library services,
while Enhancement Grants may enhance existing library
services or implement new library services. Read
more. |
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IMLS
Calls for 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant Applications
Application Deadline: March 15, 2008.
IMLS is calling for proposals from museums, museum service
organizations, and universities that will enhance the
professional development of museum staff. The 21st Century
Museum Professionals grants are intended to have an impact
upon multiple institutions by reaching broad groups of
museum professionals throughout cities, counties, states,
regions, or the nation.
Read more. |
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IMLS
Calls for 2008 Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum
Services Grant Applications
Application Deadline: April 1, 2008. Application
guidelines for the 2008 Native American/Native Hawaiian
Museum Services program are currently available. The program
provides opportunities for Native American tribes and
Native Hawaiian organizations in the areas of programming,
professional development, and enhancement of museum services.
Read more. |
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Reminder:
Update Your CCR Registration Regularly
If you currently have an IMLS grant or plan to
apply at any time in the future, remember that all IMLS
grantees and applicants must be registered with Grants.gov
and with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). See www.grants.gov
for information.
Once registered, you must renew your CCR registration
at least once a year. You are responsible for updating
all your registration information as it changes, and for
ensuring that all information in your Dun and Bradstreet
(D&B) and IRS registrations is up to date and reflected
in your CCR registration. See the CCR
Handbook, page four, for details. We strongly recommend
that you register at least two weeks before your anticipated
IMLS application deadline, and renew at least every six
months to avoid last-minute problems.
Because D&B now automatically inputs your institution’s
Legal Business Name and Physical Address into your CCR
registration from, it is your responsibility to keep this
information updated at D&B. You may use the Web at
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
to search, revise information, or request a DUNS number.
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Reminder:
Microsoft Vista and Word 2007 users
Please note that PureEdge forms software used
by Grants.gov is not compatible with the new Microsoft
Vista operating system or Word 2007 documents that use
the extension ".docx”. If you have any questions
regarding this matter please email Grants.gov at support@grants.gov
or call 1-800-518-4726. |
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| IMLS
on the Road |
| “Shifting Sands
– Opportunity for Dialogue,” Dr. Anne Radice,
IMLS Director, New Orleans, LA, January 23-24.
"Perspective of a Museum Advocate,"
Dr. Schroeder Cherry, Counselor to the Director, Museum
Education Program, George Washington University, Washington,
D.C., February 15.
"IMLS Pacific Region Grants Management
Workshop 2008," Terri Brown and Laurie Brooks,
Senior Program Officers, State Programs, Honolulu, HI,
February 19-20.
"Technology 202" Christine Henry,
Senior Program Officer, Small Museums Association Annual
Meeting, Ocean City, MD, February 24.
"Microsoft CIO Summit," Derek
Scarbrough, Chief Information Officer, Microsoft Corporate
Headquarters Campus, Redmond, WA, February 26-29. |
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About the Institute of
Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent
federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating strong libraries
and museums that connect people to information and ideas.
Learn
more about the Institute. |
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Grants.gov
In FY2008, applicants for all programs will be required to
use Grants.gov. Learn
more about applying online through Grants.gov. |
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Each issue of Primary Source contains brief articles that alert readers to new information about grants, monthly highlights of best practices, and important agency news with links to more detailed information on the Web site. View the latest issue now.
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