• Creating Real Community Change Requires Institutions to Stretch

    January 12, 2017

    Editor’s Note: This past fall, IMLS launched Community Catalyst, a new initiative aimed at sparking a conversation around ways to help libraries and museums develop a deeper understanding of the best ways to work with communities to bring about positive change. Through a cooperative agreement with Reinvestment Fund, the agency scanned the literature and gathered input from the library, museum,… Read more

  • Community Catalyst: The Paschalville Partnership: A Local Library Leads Organizations in Assisting Job Seekers

    January 11, 2017

    Editor’s Note: This past fall, IMLS launched Community Catalyst, a new initiative aimed at sparking a conversation around ways to help libraries and museums develop a deeper understanding of the best ways to work with communities to bring about positive change. Through a cooperative agreement with Reinvestment Fund, the agency scanned the literature and gathered input from the library, museum,… Read more

  • Community Catalyst: An Ah-ha Moment and Coming Together of Ideas

    January 10, 2017

    Editor’s Note: This past fall, IMLS launched Community Catalyst, a new initiative aimed at sparking a conversation around ways to help libraries and museums develop a deeper understanding of the best ways to work with communities to bring about positive change. Through a cooperative agreement with Reinvestment Fund, the agency scanned the literature and gathered input from the library, museum,… Read more

  • Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Tips On Making Your Preliminary Proposal Competitive (Part Two)

    January 6, 2017

    By Trevor Owens, Ph.D., Supervisory Senior Program Officer Sandra Toro, Ph.D., Senior Program Officer IMLS Office of Library Services, IMLS Last year, we posted several well-received tips about preparing a two-page proposal for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) and the National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG) Program. We want to provide a brief update about how to make… Read more

  • Building Supportive Communities for Young Children and Families

    December 13, 2016

    By Sherri Killins Stewart, Ed.D., BUILD Initiative Director of Systems Alignment and Integration High-quality early childhood programs and services are critical to the healthy development of young children, and community organizations, like museums and libraries, are key players.  A partnership between the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the BUILD Initiative worked to… Read more

  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Celebrates Let's Move! Museums and Gardens at the White House's Final Garden Harvest

    December 9, 2016

    By Mary Kathryn Poole Let’s Move Pittsburgh Program Director, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens This past October, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was invited to participate in the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Final Garden Harvest at the White House. There were several tracks represented by students and chaperones and I was proud that Phipps… Read more

  • When School is Out, Museums and Libraries are In

    December 1, 2016

    By Reagan Moore IMLS Office of Museum Services Growing up in a small rural town in southwestern Virginia – a region of spectacular views, opportunities for outdoor recreation and rich natural resources, but not well known for its opportunities in the arts and humanities – I know the desire for an enriching creative outlet. And that is exactly what my afterschool program and out-of-school time… Read more

  • Mobilizing Animal Welfare Around the World

    November 29, 2016

    By Kevin Bell Lincoln Park Zoo Photo courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo If you’ve visited the Lincoln Park Zoo in recent months, you may have noticed a lot of folks tapping away on iPads next to animal exhibits. No, they’re not snapping selfies or playing Pokemon Go. These science-focused individuals are supporting animal care and welfare through a behavioral-monitoring app called ZooMonitor. Led… Read more

  • Synergy in the Southwest: Reflections from the International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums

    November 22, 2016

    Editor’s Note: Last month, IMLS staff participated in pre-conference grantee convening and other activities related to the 2016 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums organized by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM). Office of Museum Services (OMS) staff reflect and share their learning and networking experiences in this short… Read more

  • Coming Together, Learning Together: Building a Community of Practice

    November 21, 2016

    Editor’s Note: Last month, IMLS staff participated in pre-conference grantee convening and other activities related to the 2016 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums organized by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM). Office of Museum Services (OMS) staff reflect and share their learning and networking experiences in this short… Read more