FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency that supports the nation's museums and libraries, awarded $19,114,725 to 311 museums and libraries across the country yesterday. IMLS received 404 applications requesting over $52 million. Many recipients will match the grants for an additional $15,745,011 to America's libraries and museums. For grants made in your state, please see http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/stategrants0704.htm.

IMLS administers five grant programs for libraries and five for museums. Yesterday's grants were made under four of them: National Leadership Grants for Museums (Museums in the Community category), National Leadership Grants for Libraries (Education and Training category), 21 Century Librarians, and Native American Library Services (Basic and Professional Assistance categories).

"Our nation's prosperity, our communities' civic engagement, and our individual productivity depend upon the ability to learn throughout life, adapt to change rapidly, and evaluate knowledge critically," remarked Dr. Robert Martin, Director of IMLS. "These grants build the capacity of libraries and museums to create and sustain a nation of learners."

The grants made yesterday will help recruit and educate a new generation of librarians to offset a looming national shortage, provide continuing education and professional training to current librarians, help museums partner with neighboring civic organizations to build stronger communities, and improve library service to an important but often underserved segment of society--native Americans and Alaskans.

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