FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2007

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

Heritage Preservation Chosen as Cooperator for the IMLS Connecting to Collections: The National Tour

Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has chosen Heritage Preservation as the cooperator for Connecting to Collections: The National Tour, which is a central part of the Institute’s multi-year initiative on conservation, Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action. The goal of the National Tour is to raise awareness among leaders of small and mid-sized museums and libraries about the importance of collections care and to give them practical information, tools, and resources to inspire action nationwide.

“Our nation’s collections are at risk and we must act now to protect them,” said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, PhD, IMLS Director. “With Heritage Preservation’s help, the National Tour will take this important call to action on the road.”

“Heritage Preservation is pleased to cooperate with IMLS on Collecting to Connections: The National Tour,” said Larry Reger, Executive Director of Heritage Preservation. “The National Tour and other parts of the Connecting to Collections initiative will help ensure that demonstrable progress is made on the care of collections as advocated by the Heritage Health Index (HHI).” The HHI, supported by IMLS and Heritage Preservation, was the first major survey of the state of the nation’s collections. It concluded that immediate conservation treatment is needed to prevent the loss of 190 million artifacts (www.heritagepreservation.org/hhi).

The four meetings of the National Tour will focus on such issues as collections care expertise, technology and collections care, connecting to the public, and fundraising. Each meeting will also explore a particular conservation/preservation issue facing museums and libraries today. The schedule tentatively includes:

• Atlanta, GA, Jan. 31-Feb.1, 2008. The forum, which will be held at the High Museum of Art, will focus on issues related to diverse ethnic and cultural collections.
• Denver, CO, June 2008. The forum, which will be hosted by the Denver Public Library, will focus on collaboration in the digital age.
• San Diego, CA, in Jan. 2009. The forum, which will be held at the San Diego Zoo, will focus on the care of living collections.
• Buffalo, NY, in June 2009. The forum will be hosted by the Art Conservation Department at Buffalo State College and focus on training in collections care.

In addition to the professionals representing small and mid-sized museums and libraries, each meeting will include leaders from charitable foundations; regional and national organizations focused on conservation and preservation; library and museum boards; and local, state, or the federal government. Attendance is expected to be at least 200 at each forum and approximately 10,000 additional people via webcasts, DVDs, and other communication technologies.

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.

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.