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Creating a Nation
of Learners |
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In postindustrial America, life-long learning
is fundamental to who we are—and to what our country can
be. For America to remain competitive, we must recognize that
formal schooling is only one part of the learning continuum.
Libraries and museums are at the center of life-long
learning in the United States because of four critical roles
they play in our society.
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| 1. Enhancing Learning
in Families and Communities |
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With our encouragement and funding, libraries
and museums develop programs and services that meet genuine
family and community learning needs. These institutions
promote interaction between the generations and spur learning
and literacy development from early childhood through
the senior years. This year the Institute is focusing
on Libraries and Museums Engaging America's Youth. • Youth Initiative
• Coming
Up Taller |
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| 2. Sustaining Cultural
Heritage |
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| 3. Building 21st
Century Skills |
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Building 21st Century Skills
Success in today’s society requires information
literacy, a spirit of self-reliance and a strong ability
to collaborate and communicate effectively and solve problems.
Combining strengths in traditional learning with robust
investment in modern communication infrastructures, libraries
and museums are well equipped to build the skills Americans
need in the 21st century.
• Project
Profiles
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For Library and Museum Professionals
The need for life-long learning applies to the staff of
museums and libraries as well as the users of those institutions.
The Institute places a priority on building leadership
capacity by supporting the development of a highly skilled
workforce in libraries and museums. The Institute helps
to spur innovation, support diversity and build traditional
library and museum service expertise.
• Librarians
for the 21st Century Program
• 21st
Century Museum Professionals Program
• Librarians
In the Workforce Study |
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| 4. Creating Civic
Engagement |
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Respected in their communities, libraries and museums hold the public trust and play important roles in creating an informed and
educated citizenry, transmitting the values of our democracy.
Libraries and museums bring tremendous assets to communities engaged in a wide range of concerns, from workforce issues and parenting concerns
to cross cultural understanding and student achievement. As partners in the exercise of civic responsibility, libraries and museums are part
of larger efforts to weave a stronger community fabric.
• National Awards for Museum and Library Service |
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