FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated September 9, 2005

Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Eileen Maxwell, emaxwell@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

Conservation Project Support Program Deadline Extended for Museums in Declared Disaster Areas

Washington, DC—Mary Chute, Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), announced today that the application deadline for the agency’s Conservation Project Support grant program has been extended from October 1 to November 1 for museums in the counties that have been declared disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (see list below). Conservation Project Support grants help museums undertake their most critical conservation activities to ensure the safekeeping of the cultural, scientific, historic, and artistic heritage of our nation for a lifetime of learning for today's, and future, generations.

“The devastation in New Orleans and other Gulf Coast communities is beyond belief,” said Mary Chute. “Our hearts go out to the people and families affected by this catastrophe. As the situation is assessed throughout the coming days and weeks, we will work in coordination with others to make services and information available to the numerous museums and libraries along the Gulf Coast, which are integral community centers, to help them begin recovering from Katrina.”

2005 Federally Declared Disaster Areas As of 9/9/2005:
(Check back frequently for potential updates.)

Alabama Counties
Baldwin, Clarke, Choctaw, Hale, Jefferson, Marengo, Mobile, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Washington Counties

Florida Counties
Bay, Broward, Collier, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walter Counties

Louisiana Parishes
All Louisiana Parishes

Mississippi Counties
All Mississippi Counties