FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2008

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

President's Budget Requests $271,246,000 for
Institute of Museum and Library Services

WASHINGTON, DC—The President's budget request for fiscal year 2009 seeks $271,246,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The request, which was released by the White House today, represents an increase of $26,023,000 or 10.6 percent, over the FY 2008 enacted level for the Institute’s programs and administration.

"Throughout his two terms in the White House, President Bush has shown outstanding support for museums and libraries,” said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of IMLS. “This Administration recognizes the essential role these institutions play in connecting people to information and ideas. IMLS will continue to embrace the expanded responsibilities with which the President and Congress have entrusted us.”

Highlights of the President’s FY 2009 IMLS budget request include the following:

• $214,432,000 for library grant programs, an increase of $14,469,000 from the FY 08 appropriation for the same purposes. This includes an increase of $10.6 million for the Grants to States program, bringing it to $171,500,000. This amount will enable the full implementation of a law passed in 2003 to provide a more equitable distribution of state formula grants. The request also includes $26,500,000 for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.
• $39,897,000 for museum grants, an increase of $8.6 million from the FY 08 appropriation for the same purposes. The request includes $3.8 million for Conservation Project support, $22.2 million for Museums for America, $2.1 million for 21st Century Museum Professionals, and $1.35 million for Museum Grants for African American History and Culture.
• This request includes $2.5 million for collecting public library and state library statistics, $500,000 to launch a pilot program on museum data collection, and $1,000,000 to study and report on the state of libraries and museums in the United States.

IMLS Appropriations History 1998-2009 (PDF, 20KB)
IMLS Requested and Enacted Budgets 2006-2009 (PDF, 21KB)

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.