FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Dr. Robert Martin, Director of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), announced grants totaling $157,628,000 to state library agencies in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. The state library agencies use these grants to help libraries meet the special needs of youth, parents, the unemployed, senior citizens, and local businesses. "Libraries are essential to our democracy," said Director Martin. "They promote community prosperity and individual productivity. The grants we make today will help libraries of all types throughout the country to connect people to knowledge and ideas and enhance their ability to learn throughout life, adapt to change readily, and evaluate information critically."

The grants are awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act and are made to each State according to a population-based formula; the State's library agency administers the funds. States provide at least $1.00 for every $2.00 of federal support.

IMLS Library Services and Technology Act funds help state library agencies make library resources and services, which can be prohibitively expensive to the individual, readily available to an entire community. Many libraries partner with a variety of organizations to provide a wide-range of services and programs including access to electronic databases, computer instruction, homework centers, summer reading programs, job banks, digitization of special collections, access to E-books and adaptive technology, bookmobile service, and outreach programs to the underserved.

To learn how individual states have used these grants, contact Eileen Maxwell at maxwell@imls.gov.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent Federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners. 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