The public has much to gain from the use of digital technology by museums and libraries. Digital technology connects more people to the services and information that only museums and libraries provide. It enables access to unique cultural, scientific, and artistic collections; to vast information and research resources; and to educational opportunities for learners of all ages. Recognizing the expanding role of digital technology in both formal and informal learning, IMLS is advancing its use in our nation's museums and libraries through grantmaking, conferences, and publications.

Digital technology enables the full range of holdings in our museums, libraries, and archives-audio, video, documents, artifacts, photographs, artworks and other resources-to be cataloged, organized, combined in new ways, and made accessible to audiences as never before. The rich scientific, historic, aesthetic, and cultural resources in our libraries and museums can be presented-both within and across institutions-within an interpretive and educational context that enriches meaning. New telecommunications initiatives allow learners to access more than museum and library collections; they also bring learners "face-to-face" electronically with curators, scientists, artists, and scholars. Technology-based learning initiatives address different learning needs through customized programming and presentation.

This section of the IMLS Web site has been developed to highlight IMLS activities in this area.

Search for Digital Projects

Digital Projects Funded by IMLS

Publications

Assessment of End-User Needs in IMLS-Funded Digitization Projects An IMLS commissioned study of the needs-assessment practices used in digitization projects.

A Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections identifies principles of good practice and current standards in four areas: collections, digital objects, metadata, and digital projects. The Framework was developed with IMLS support and is maintained by the National Information Standards Organization.

Report of the Workshop on Opportunities for Research on the Creation, Management, Preservation and Use of Digital Content The University of Florida, Florida Center for Library Automation, convened a workshop in March 2003 to assess research needs related to digital cultural content. This report summarizes the results of the workshop and presents suggestions for useful areas of research.

Status of Technology and Digitization in the Nation's Museums and Libraries A study of the use of technology and digitization activities in libraries and museums nationwide.

Conferences

Web-Wise 2004 - Sharing Digital Resources. March 2004

World Summit on the Information Society - The United Nations hosted the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the first global UN Summit to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the information society, December 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland. IMLS Director Robert S. Martin participated as an official U.S. delegate to WSIS in two pre-Summit conferences.