FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2009
Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov
Discover the Art of Partnering with a New
Publication from IMLS and CPB
Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and
Library Services (IMLS) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announce the release of a
new publication, Partnership for a Nation of Learners: Joining Forces, Creating Value, which
offers guidance on creating effective community collaborations. The publication is a product of
IMLS and CPB’s Partnership for a Nation of Learners (PNL) project that united libraries, museums,
and public broadcasters to address issues of central concern to their local communities.
“Museums, libraries, and public broadcasters share a common service mission,
have complementary assets, and are trusted sources of information and ideas,” said
Anne-Imelda Radice, IMLS Director. “I am gratified that the Partnership for a Nation of
Learners project will live on through this publication, which spotlights exemplary community
partnerships across the country and shares ‘how-to’ information on successful
collaborations. In these challenging economic times, partnerships are more valuable than
ever.”
“Libraries, museums, and public broadcasting licensees are valuable and
respected assets trusted by the public,” said Patricia de Stacy Harrison, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Corporation for Public Broadcasting. “Together, they have an important
role to play ensuring our democracy comprises an informed and educated citizenry, by providing
lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.”
The partnership’s central components were the 2005 and 2006 PNL Community
Collaboration Grants, which provided seed investments for 20 collaborative projects across the
country. Grants were awarded to address topics such as raising awareness about substance abuse in
Alaska, conserving family heirlooms in Nebraska, and helping to educate families about childhood
asthma in Boston. The publication presents in-depth profiles of six high-performing, PNL-funded
partnerships and short profiles of the remaining grantees. The profiles illustrate how vital
community organizations can collaborate to effectively tackle important local issues and achieve
outcomes that would be unattainable for a single organization.
One of the goals of the Partnership for a Nation of Learners was to cultivate the
art of partnering. To assist organizations that are considering partnering, the publication’s
‘lessons learned’ section details tips and best practices from PNL partners, including:
- Align Project Purpose with Institutional Mission and Community Need
Partnerships must be grounded in individual partners’ missions and the common desire to address
community needs.
- Take Time to Plan
Thoughtful planning pays dividends throughout the life of the project and
results in identifying the project goals and desired outcomes. The best partnerships are long-term
commitments, instead of one-off projects.
- Choose Partners Carefully and Get to Know Them Well
Identifying partners requires an assessment
of community assets and strategic selection of partners. Capitalize on the strengths of partner
institutions, ensuring that each partner contributes what it does best.
- Relationship Building and Communication
To get the necessary internal buy-in at every
organization, anticipate how many staff members will be needed for a project and involve them from
the very beginning.
- The Residual Impact of Partnering
After a partnership concludes, many partners report
that
the “act of partnership” generated numerous benefits – including insights into their
own organizational strengths, assets, and need for improvement – along with insights into the
needs of communities and new strategies for public service.
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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 the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress
in 1967, is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. It helps
support the operations of more than 1,000 locally owned and operated public television and radio
stations nationwide, and is the largest single source of funding for research, technology, and
program development for public radio, television, and related on-line services. Visit the CPB
Web site at: http://www.cpb.org . |