FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has updated its National Leadership Grant program. Program categories have been renamed and clarified to improve cross-agency consistency. The new structure helps build the capacity of libraries and museums to extend learning throughout the lifetime.

Under the National Leadership Grant, the three categories for museums, three categories for libraries, and one joint category have been streamlined to three parallel categories across the museum and library programs. These are "advancing learning communities," "building digital resources," and "research and demonstration."

Dr. Robert Martin, Director of IMLS, said, "This change will allow IMLS to open up new opportunities as well as encourage the exemplary projects supported in the past."

National Leadership Grants for Libraries:

Advancing Learning Communities supports the development of learning networks and services for people of all ages. Projects will support learning throughout the lifetime, whether that learning takes place in communities, in schools, or in the workplace. IMLS will support programs based on current research in cognitive science; learning and literacy partnerships among early, adult, and community learning providers; development of innovative learning technologies using library (and museum) content; and exploration of new ways to integrate digital and physical services and programs.

Building Digital Resources supports the creation, use, and preservation of significant digital resources as well as the development of management tools. IMLS will support projects that preserve and enhance access to valuable library resources; support the development of tools to help libraries (and other collection holders) manage and share digital assets; address the challenges of preserving and archiving digital media; and enhance interoperability, integration, and seamless access to digital assets, particularly projects that are of statewide, regional, thematic, or national scope.

Research and Demonstration supports basic and applied research and demonstration projects to test potential solutions to problems in a real-world environment. IMLS will support research to enhance libraries' understanding of learning within and across different age groups; improve the effectiveness of library and museum services and their impacts on users; fulfill users' needs and expectations; address knowledge integration, digital preservation, or the integration of physical and digital experiences; and develop new methodologies, standards, or practices.

National Leadership Grants for Museums:

Advancing Learning Communities supports the development of museum- and library based-learning networks and services for people of all ages with a broad variety of learning goals. A learning society requires a new vision in which learning is seen as a community-wide responsibility, supported by both formal and informal educational entities. Projects under this category will support museum and library programs that advance learning throughout the lifetime, whether that learning happens in communities, at work, or at school. Projects may be undertaken both by individual institutions and by institutions working in partnerships that may include multiple libraries or museums, as well as other organizations that support learning.

Building Digital Resources supports the creation, use, and preservation of digital library and museum collections and of tools to improve the management of digital resources. Because of its broad mandate to support cultural heritage institutions, IMLS is uniquely positioned to help libraries, museums, and archives develop ways to provide seamless access to digital content from all types of institutions. This category provides funding for digitization of nationally significant resources and for applied research and demonstration projects to improve electronic access to digital collections. It also can support model projects to develop statewide digital collaboratives and to create rich multimedia learning resources that are integrated into school curricula and informal learning environments. Projects may be undertaken both by individual institutions and by institutions working in partnerships that may include multiple libraries or museums, as well as other organizations that support learning.

Research and Demonstration supports research in library science and museum services and demonstration projects that test potential solutions to problems in real-world situations. Proposals to research theories on museum- and library-based learning and to validate strategies for delivering service are encouraged.

A Word on Partnerships:

Partnerships are encouraged, though not required in the National Leadership Grants program. Partners may include community organizations, institutions and agencies that promote learning, and public media, in addition to libraries, archives, museums, or other cultural heritage organizations.

The 2005 National Leadership Grant guidelines will be available on the IMLS Web site in October of 2004 http://www.imls.gov. The deadline for all National Leadership Grant categories is February 1, 2005. Grants will be awarded in mid-September. Applicants may request $25,000 to $1,000,000.

To learn more about IMLS National Leadership Grants and other funding opportunities for libraries and museums, please see the 2005 IMLS Grants and Awards program brochure at: http://www.imls.gov/pubs/pdf/2005programs.pdf

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent Federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. The Institute fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries. The Institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit of libraries and museums. To learn more about the Institute, please log onto: http://www.imls.gov