FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

Washington, DC—President Obama has requested $265,869,000 for fiscal year 2011 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The request, which was transmitted to Congress today, is the same as the FY 2010 enacted levels for the Institute’s programs and administration. The proposed budget will support museums and libraries as they re-energize the economy, fuel partnerships and knowledge sharing, and provide much-needed services to their communities.

"We are gratified that essential services of the nation’s 17,500 museums and 123,000 libraries have been recognized in President Obama’s continued support of these institutions," said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of IMLS.

The President requested $213,523,000 for the nation’s 123,000 libraries. Of that amount, approximately 80 percent ($172.5 million) is distributed through the Grants to States program to the State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and freely associated states, according to a population-based formula. These grants help libraries meet the community needs, use technology to develop new service models and reach underserved populations. Library funding also supports the following programs:

• National Leadership Grants to support creation of new tools, research, models, services, practices, or alliances to shape tomorrow’s libraries.
• Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants to support improved access to library services for Native Americans, Alaska Native Villages, and Native Hawaiians.
• Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grants that build the professional capacity of libraries by improving staff knowledge and skills.

In support of the nation’s 17,500 museums, the President requested $35,212,000 for the following grant programs:

• Museums for America, a program that strengthens museums as active resources for lifelong learning and as community assets.
• The 21st Century Museum Professionals program, which supports projects that address the preparation of museum professionals for the future by updating and expanding their knowledge and skills.
• The Conservation Project Support program, which helps museums identify conservation needs and priorities and perform activities to ensure the safekeeping of their collections.
• National Leadership Grants to support creation of new tools, research, models, services, practices, or alliances to shape tomorrow’s museums.
• The Native American and Native Hawaiian Museum Services program, which enables Native American tribes, Alaska Native villages or corporations, and organizations that primarily serve Native Hawaiians to benefit their communities and audiences through strengthened museum services.
• The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program, which builds professional capacity in the African American museum community.
• The Museum Assessment Program, which provides technical assistance to help institutions assess their strengths and weaknesses and plan for the future.
• The Conservation Assessment Program, which assists small museums in laying the groundwork for effective collections management.

The President’s budget provides $2.1 million in continued support for research and policy activities, including funding for the Public Library Survey and the State Library Agency Survey. From its inception in 1989 through 2007, these two surveys were administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In 2009, IMLS released the following:

• Service Trends in U.S. Public Libraries, 1997-2007
  The brief identifies important changes public libraries have made to address patron needs in an increasingly Internet-centric environment and explores service differences in urban and rural communities.
• Libraries’ Use of Broadband to Serve High-Need Communities
  The first data note in the series focuses on the role that public libraries play in providing access points to broadband services for people in urban and rural areas, and families in need.
• Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to State Program and the Transformation of Libraries Services to the Public
  The report focuses on services provided through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants to State Library Agencies, the single largest source of federal funding for the nation’s libraries and the only library grants that require state-wide planning.
• Partnership for a Nation of Learners: Joining Forces, Creating Value
  The publication offers guidance on creating effective community collaborations. It resulted from the IMLS and Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Partnership for a Nation of Learners (PNL) project, which united libraries, museums, and public broadcasters to address issues of central concern to their local communities.
• Museums, Libraries and 21st Century Skills
  The report explores how libraries and museums can meet the educational, economic, civic, and cultural needs of communities in the 21st century. The Web site provides a quick online assessment for libraries and museums to evaluate their readiness to engage the public and to deliver 21st century skills, a downloadable pdf of a report, and an in-depth assessment matrix for library and museum practitioners and policy makers.
• IMLS FY 2007 Public Libraries Survey report includes national and state summary data on public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, with an introduction, selected findings, and several tables.
• IMLS FY 2007 Public Libraries Survey data files and documentation.
• IMLS FY 2008 State Library Agencies Survey report includes information on population of service areas, service outlets, library collections and services, library staff, and operating revenue and expenditures.
• IMLS FY 2008 State Library Agencies Survey data files and documentation.

A detailed table of President Obama’s budget request (PDF, 57KB) for IMLS with recent budget history accompanies this release.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.