FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMLS Press Contact
202-653-4799
Giuliana Bullard, gbullard@imls.gov
Washington, DC—Since the release of the Museum Universe Data File in May, IMLS has received reactions and recommendations for improving the file from hundreds of individuals. We are very grateful for the response and want to continue the conversation with a webinar on October 30, at 2 p.m. ET.
To join the webinar, please click on the following link at the time of the webinar: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2012653&password=M.7BEF012CB264559C7EDF03C12DF96B.
The participant call-in number is 1-866-299-7945; enter PIN: 9910420. Technical information about the IMLS Webinar system is available on the IMLS website.
Increasingly, Congress, museum funders, policy makers and practitioners are looking for data to help make decisions about future investments. When the Museum and Library Services Act was reauthorized in 2010, a new role for museum data collection was established for IMLS.
A first step was to identify operating museums in the U.S. so that the number, location, size, and services of the museum sector could be better understood. Toward this end, a version of the Museum Universe Data File was released in June 2014. The file, a compilation of data from a variety of public sources including IRS 990s; IMLS files; and a commercial source, Factual, contained 35,000 entries and signaled a vast museum infrastructure in the U.S. When we released the open data file, we invited the museum community and the public to review the file, use it to create data visualizations and other digital services and recommend changes. We also promised to revise and re-release the file every six months.
As we prepare for the release of the next version of the museum universe data file in December, we invite interested museum organizations to participate in the webinar, get an update on what to expect in December and beyond, ask questions, and provide input. Please join us to learn more and contribute your voice to the conversation.
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 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.