FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency that supports the nation's museums and libraries, awarded $1,006,000 today to Native American tribes across the nation to improve library services for their communities. In all, 274 grants will go to Native American tribal communities and Alaskan Native villages. For a list of today's grant recipients organized by state, please see the attached list.

"These grants will provide professional assistance and support for library service," said Dr. Robert S. Martin, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. "This support is critical not only for lifelong learning of the community members but also in preserving their native language, culture, and history."

IMLS' Native American Library Services grant programs provide opportunities for improved library services to an often underserved part of the nation's community of library users. The program offers three categories of grants to established libraries serving Native American tribal communities and Alaska Native villages: Basic and Professional Assistance grants (non-competitive grants) and Enhancement grants (competitive).

Today's grants are in the Basic and Professional Assistance categories. Basic grants help support core library operations. The Basic grants made today (222 tribes awarded $4,000 each, totaling $888,000) will help buy library materials, fund salaries and training, and provide Internet connectivity and computers. Professional Assistance grants (59 awards representing 59 tribes at $2,000 each, totaling $118,000) will support professional assessments of library operations. These grant funds will pay the costs for a consultant to carry out an on-site library assessment and report on recommendations. Any remaining funds can be used to implement the recommendations, such as staff training or collection development.

Native American Library Enhancement Grants will be announced in September 2004.

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