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, has awarded $1,018,830 to provide librarians and their staff continuing education and training in the latest research methods and technologies to help sustain our nation of learners. The awards are being funded under the Institute's prestigious National Leadership Grants program. The libraries will match the awards with an additional $1,087,362.

The institutions selected for funding today are the Illinois State Library (Springfield), Cornell University Library (Ithaca), and the Online Computer Library Center (Ohio). For a contact list of the funded institutions with descriptions of their winning grant projects, please see the attached list.

"Librarians are the world's knowledge navigators," said Dr. Robert S. Martin, IMLS Director. "It is imperative that continuing education and training opportunities be available and affordable for these essential education professionals. The grants IMLS makes today will support a national clearinghouse of library continuing education opportunities, an international library leadership program representing 76 countries, and 12 internships in preservation management of Native American library collections."

These National Leadership Grants support model programs of continuing education and training in library and information science. Priorities include projects that implement innovative approaches to continuing education or specialized training for current librarians, students, and library staff. Priorities also include projects that train librarians and staff to enhance people's ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively in the 21st century. This includes projects that foster libraries' ability to build community partnerships that will support the development of learning communities and the needs of all learners throughout a lifetime.

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