FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2009

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

Buffalo Mayor Proclaims June 16, 2009, Anne-Imelda Radice Day

Proclamation Read During Buffalo Collections Conservation Meeting

Dr. Radice stands before the Albright-Knox Gallery with her proclamation. Photo by Jim Bush. Click image for a larger view.

Washington, DC—Buffalo (NY) Mayor Byron Brown recognized the contributions of IMLS Director Dr. Anne-Imelda Radice for her leadership to the nation in support of cultural heritage collections and for her representation of her hometown of Buffalo. A proclamation naming June 16, 2009, Anne-Imelda Radice Day was read during the opening session of an IMLS conference held in Buffalo, June 16 and 17, which was attended by 300 museum and library professionals representing 46 states, the District of Columbia, and China.

The conference, entitled Stewardship of America’s Legacy: Answering the Call to Action, explored how individuals, from institutions large and small, can work together to improve collections care and to inspire support within their communities for the conservation of their collections. It was planned in cooperation with Heritage Preservation and the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, and it took place at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, with special events at the Burchfield Penney Art Center and the Art Conservation Department of Buffalo State College, State University of New York.

The conference was the last in a series of four national forums that are part of a multi-year, multi-faceted national program spearheaded by Dr. Radice. Called Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action, the initiative is designed to raise awareness among leaders of small and mid-sized museums, libraries, and archives about the importance of collections care and to give them practical information, tools, and resources to inspire action nationwide. In addition to the forums, the initiative includes the distribution of a conservation bookshelf, a special collection of conservation-related books and materials, and special grant programs and resources. For more information, see www.imls.gov/collections.

The Buffalo forum received support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Carol A. Fatta/The Fatta Foundation, the Baird Foundation, the John R. Oishei Foundation, the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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 123,000 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.

About Heritage Preservation
Heritage Preservation is the national organization dedicated to preserving our nation’s heritage. Its members include libraries, museums, archives, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, conservation organizations and other professional groups concerned with saving the past for the future. For more information, please visit www.heritagepreservation.org.