FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Heritage Preservation have awarded 119 grants totaling $846,700 to museums across the country. Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) grants enable museums to conduct essential conservation assessments of their sites and collections. The assessment helps museums, especially small ones, establish conservation goals to ensure their holdings remain viable to the public for years to come. Small museums represent 75 percent of all museums in the United States.

"IMLS is dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping museums and libraries better serve their communities," said IMLS Director Robert Martin. "The Conservation Assessment Program grants we make today will ensure the cultural, historical, natural, and scientific collections in America's museums are available for a lifetime of learning for future generations."

IMLS funds the CAP grant program and Heritage Preservation administers it. Grants support a two-day visit by conservation professionals who review the museums' collections and environment and recommend priorities for short and long-term conservation planning. This year, conservation assessors will provide professional advice on collections ranging from botanical gardens and zoos, to historic structures and fragile collections.

"By participating in CAP these museums demonstrate a professional commitment to properly caring for the irreplaceable collections and sites they hold in the public trust," said Heritage Preservation's President Lawrence L. Reger.

CAP awards also help museums leverage funds. As one recipient has said, "The CAP report has been an invaluable tool for fund-raising-staff and the Board have made collections care our first priority, and as a result, we have received several grants to pursue CAP recommendations."

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