Frequently Asked Questions About IMLS
What is the Institute of Museum and Library Services? Is
IMLS a federal agency? The U.S. Congress appropriates the funding for IMLS. For Fiscal Year
2004 the IMLS budget is $262,240,000 which includes $198.2 million for
library services and $31.4 million for museum services (the budget also
includes $32.6 million in congressionally directed grants).
What
does IMLS funding do? IMLS provides funding to all types of libraries to improve access to
information through technology, to ensure equity of access, and to help
bring resources to underserved audiences. The Institute of Museum and
Library Services administers five grant programs for libraries (grants
to State Library Agencies, Native American Library Services, Native Hawaiian
Library Services, Librarians for the 21st Century, and National Leadership
Grants for Libraries).
IMLS grants for museums help strengthen operations, improve care of
collections, increase professional development, and enhance community
service. Museums of all types and sizes receive IMLS funding through five
grant programs for museums (Museums for America, Museum Assessment Program,
Conservation Project Support, Conservation Assessment Program, and National
Leadership Grants for Museums).
IMLS also supports projects for partnerships between museums and libraries
and other community organizations.
How
many grants does IMLS award each year? In all, funding for grants make up 97% of the budget of IMLS. Less than
3% is spent on the administration of grants and other agency costs.
Who
is eligible to apply for IMLS awards? All sizes and types of museums, from art to zoo, and all types of libraries,
whether archives, public or research, are eligible for funding. All institutions
of higher education are also eligible. There are additional eligibility
requirements for museums and
for libraries, which may vary
from program to program.
How
are grants made? For all of the grant programs, except the State Library Grant Program,
the application process begins with the IMLS application guidelines. The
guidelines are typically available three months prior to the deadlines.
To be put on the mailing list for guidelines, applicants may e-mail IMLS
at imlsinfo@imls.gov or call
or write the Office of Museum Services or the Office of Library Services.
Applicants can also review the guidelines
on the IMLS Web site or download them in pdf format from the Web site
for completion.
IMLS staff reviews the applications for completeness and eligibility,
and, for most programs, the applications then go through an independent
peer review process. Applications are sent to reviewers selected for their
professional background and who have been specially trained to score and
comment on the applications. The applications may then undergo a
review by a panel of museum or library professionals.
Awards are announced to recipients on the IMLS Web site and by letter,
to the news media by news release, and to members of Congress through
mailings and meetings. Each program has its own deadline
and announcement schedule.
Information about the application process for the Library Grants to
States Program can be obtained from the appropriate state
library agency .
Why
the link between museums and libraries? How
does IMLS provide leadership? Through its National Awards for Museum and Library Service the agency
places a national spotlight on museums and libraries that are enriching
community life through their commitment to public service. This is the
only national award for museum and library service to communities. The
awards honor several libraries and museums annually in ceremonies in Washington,
D.C.
What
other information is available from IMLS? The results of the studies and surveys conducted or funded by IMLS,
as well as a number of other publications,
are available online at this Web site.
Can
IMLS help start a museum? Can
I apply for funds to expand, renovate or build a library or museum? How
are reviewers selected? Who
works for IMLS and how is the agency organized?
About IMLS
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MAP Questions, comments, or problems? Contact IMLS via email
imlsinfo@imls.gov or by phone (202)
606-8536.
IMLS is an independent Federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation,
and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's museums and libraries.
Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208,
IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum
Services Act. IMLS has an annual budget of approximately $262 million.
The Institute receives policy advice from the Presidentially appointed,
Senate confirmed National Museum and Library Services Board. For more
information, including grant applications, contact IMLS at 1100 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20506; 202-606-8536; or http://www.imls.gov
Yes, the Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal
agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government.
IMLS invests federal funding in museums and libraries to enhance their
unique resources and ensure broad community access to these vital educational
institutions.
The number and amount of grants awarded by IMLS varies from year to year.
In 2003, 947 awards amounting to $201.5 million were made to museums and
libraries, including $150,424,180 awarded in 57 grants to the State Library
Agencies of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories.
IMLS makes awards to a wide array of museums, libraries, archives, historical
societies, and institutions of higher education, whether public or private
nonprofit. Museums and libraries need not be accredited to receive an
IMLS award. IMLS does not provide grants to federally operated institutions.
Non-US institutions may be partners or subcontractors with eligible US
institutions but may not be the applicant organization.
Information about each of the IMLS grant programs is available at www.imls.gov
and by contacting IMLS at imlsinfo@imls.gov.
By reviewing this information, applicants can determine which program
best fits their needs and find out the program deadline for applying.
Museums and libraries meet real community needs, offering everything from
economic development incentives to community meeting spaces and from literacy
efforts to after-school programs. They are havens for community engagement
for children, families and adults, for scholarly research, and for quiet
contemplation. Increasingly, people are searching for high-quality educational
content online, and IMLS supports the development of tools and resources
to provide seamless access to the digital holdings of collecting institutions
regardless of type or physical location.
IMLS take an active role in championing the role libraries and museums
play in our society. IMLS does this by supporting research, convening
forums and conferences and disseminating best practices through its web
site and other publications.
Through its Office of Research and Technology, IMLS contributes to the
national knowledge base on museum and library practice, identifies and
disseminates promising practices within the library and museum communities
and promotes advanced technology for providing museum and library services
to the public.
Only museums already open and serving the public can receive IMLS awards.
Anyone considering starting a museum, however, can benefit from reading
IMLS grant guidelines to learn the issues of museum operation.
In the past, federal funding could be used for public library construction.
However, FY 97 was the last year that funds were appropriated for construction
and there is no new funding for library construction projects. Likewise,
IMLS does not currently fund construction or renovation projects for museums.
IMLS depends on a pool of knowledgeable library and museum professionals
to serve as grant reviewers each year. Reviewers provide real service
to the profession by the high standards they apply to the grantmaking
process. They serve their profession by promoting best practices and also
realize professional benefits for themselves. Reviewer
requirements vary by program.
IMLS staff members are federal employees. There
are over 50 staff members. The agency consists of the Offices of the Director,
Research and Technology, Public and Legislative Affairs, Museum Services
and Library Services. For information about employment opportunities,
access the IMLS vacancy announcements.
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