200 Years of the American Public Library: How New York State is Looking to the Future
June 28, 2018Editor’s Note: This post is derived from remarks that IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn Matthew made on April 9, 2018, at the New York State Library Bicentennial. It’s not just any old birthday. On the occasion of New York State Library’s bicentennial, IMLS took a look at the humble beginnings of both NYSL and public libraries, and how the state is looking to the future. The Public Library: A… Read more
Biscuits vs. Granola: Innovative Ways for Libraries, Archives, and Museums to Scale Up
June 8, 2018To keep up with nimble innovators, IMLS needs to be nimble itself. To encourage the adoption and spread of innovations, we’re thinking about ways to approach how work or ideas are scaled up across the library, archive, and museum (LAM) fields. You’ll start to hear more of this in how we talk about our own work and the work of LAMs. To help demonstrate how practitioners can scale up a new idea… Read more
Museums and Their Communities: Creating Mutual Value
May 30, 2018Photo: Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew The following is adapted from remarks delivered to the American Alliance of Museums on April 5, 2018, in Phoenix, Arizona. I want to reflect on IMLS's new strategic plan, Transforming Communities, and what it means for the agency. I hope you will consider what it means for each of your museums as well. Strategic… Read more
2018 Community Catalyst's Funding Opportunity: A Chance to Innovate
March 26, 2018Pablo Picasso, 1942, Tête de taureau (Bull's Head), Musée Picasso, Paris (Credit) Innovation is exhilarating. We aspire to innovate, be creative, and do something that makes a difference. Creative geniuses like Pablo Picasso put existing pieces together in new ways. For example, his 1942 creation “Bull’s Head” is a found object work that combined the handlebars and seat of a bicycle to evoke a… Read more
In Your State: Evaluating How IMLS Library Grants Are Making a Difference
February 23, 2018Teri Devoe Associate Deputy Director of State Programs Office of Library Services Grants to States program A library user learns how to benefit from resources available online. (Chicago Public Library) Every five years, the State Library Administrative Agencies in each U.S. state and territory evaluate how they used IMLS Grants to States library funds to benefit the communities of… Read more
From Attics to Basements: Historic Deerfield and the Key to Conservation
February 9, 2018Amanda Lange Director of the Curatorial Department and Curator of Historic Interiors Historic Deerfield Editor's Note: In 2013, IMLS awarded Historic Deerfield, in Deerfield, MA, a $71,722 Museums for America grant. The museum described the conservation work in the Autumn 2017 issue of Historic Deerfield, excerpted with permission below. Stewardship of buildings and collections is a… Read more
Small but Mighty: How IMLS Helps Small Museums
January 26, 2018Sandra Narva, Senior Program Officer Mark Feitl, Program Specialist IMLS Office of Museum Services Palo Alto Art Center's Art Cart sets up shop, ready to engage visitors. (Photo courtesy of Palo Alto Art Center.) The Institute of Museum and Library Services takes pride in being the primary source of federal support for American museums. The museums we support are in every state and… Read more
Reflecting On Our Shared Future
January 17, 2018By Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew IMLS Director Having just completed the latest round of strategic planning at IMLS, I wanted to share some lessons-learned from this process. It’s understandable to feel strategic planning may be irrelevant these days or simply a burdensome exercise. Developing a strategic plan in a quickly changing world is challenging, and the pace of change is ever accelerating.… Read more
14 Tips for Applying for a Native American Library Services Grant
January 16, 2018Sandra Toro, Ph.D., Senior Program Officer Stephen Mayeaux, Program Specialist IMLS Office of Library Services IMLS recently announced a new April 2nd deadline for applications for Native American Library Services Basic Grants. These grants go to support existing library operations and maintain core library services, and all federally recognized tribes and Alaskan Native villages and… Read more
Color Me Healthy: Museums Tackle Childhood Obesity, One Step at a Time
November 14, 2017By Jill Connors-Joyner Steve Shwartzman IMLS Office of Museum Services Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 are obese. A 2010 report shows that children ages 8-18 spend an average of 7 hours a day in front of their screens. In the last few years, there have been… Read more