FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2006

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

$11 Million Awarded to Advance Innovation and Public Service
at Nation’s Museums and Libraries

Washington, DC--The Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary source of federal funds for the nation’s museums and libraries, today announced the recipients of its prestigious National Leadership Grants for 2006. Museums and libraries nationwide submitted 183 applications requesting over $64 million from the 2006 National Leadership Grant program. More than $11 million ($11,306,341) is being awarded to 37 museums and libraries throughout the country. The recipients will match the awards with an additional $9,723,714. For more information on the 2006 National Leadership Grants recipients, please see the list of awarded institutions.

National Leadership Grants help libraries and museums advance learning, build digital resources, and conduct research and demonstration projects. The selected projects are national models that will help foster individual achievement, community responsibility, and lifelong learning. Many exemplify the partnerships and collaborations necessary among libraries, museums, and other institutions to build strong educational resources with lasting impact on the community.

"Today’s grants will not only make tens of thousands of items from America's museums, libraries, and archives accessible to the public on the internet, they will also foster community economic development and improve disaster planning so that the delivery of vital information services remains available during times of crisis," said Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice.

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. Its mission is to grow and sustain a “Nation of Learners” because lifelong learning is essential to a democratic society and individual success. Through its grant making, convenings, research and publications, the Institute empowers museums and libraries nationwide to provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and communities, sustain cultural heritage, build twenty-first-century skills, and increase civic participation. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: www.imls.gov.