View source for Institute of Museum and Library Services

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Institute of Museum and Library Services
|OrganizationType=Independent Agencies
|Mission=IMLS advances, supports, and empowers America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development to foster lifelong learning, cultural and civic engagement, and the preservation of heritage.
|CreationLegislation=Museum and Library Services Act of 1996
|Employees=70
|Budget=$313.58 million (Fiscal Year 2023)
|OrganizationExecutive=Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
|Services=Grant programs; Research and data collection; Policy development; National Medal for Museum and Library Service
|HeadquartersLocation=38.88461, -77.0252
|HeadquartersAddress=955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135, USA
|Website=https://www.imls.gov
}}
{{Short description|US federal government agency}}

{{Infobox government agency
| logo            = IMLS-logo.jpg
| logo_width      = 260px
| logo_caption    = 
| seal            = 
| seal_width      = 
| seal_caption    = 
| formed          = {{start date and age|1996}}
| preceding1      = 
| jurisdiction    = 
| headquarters    = [[L'Enfant Plaza]]<br />[[Washington, D.C.]]
| employees       = 70
| budget          = $313.58 million for 2023
| chief1_name     = Cyndee Landrum
| chief1_position = Acting Director
| chief2_name     = 
| chief2_position = 
| date1           = 
| date1_name      = 
| department      = 
| child1_agency   = 
| website         = [https://www.imls.gov/ www.imls.gov]
}}

The '''Institute of Museum and Library Services''' ('''IMLS''') is an [[Independent agencies of the United States government|independent agency]] of the [[United States federal government]] established in 1996.  It is the main source of federal support for [[libraries]] and [[museums]] within the United States, having the mission to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission |url=http://imls.gov/about/mission |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref> In fiscal year 2023, IMLS had a budget of $313.58 million.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Annual Financial Report |url=https://imls.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/imls_afr2023.pdf |access-date=2024-01-16 |newspaper=Institute of Museum and Library Services}}</ref> As of 2023, IMLS currently has 70 full-time employees, many of whom still work remotely. In 2022, the employees voted to unionize, joining hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have joined the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) to “build power and have a voice at work.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=IMLS Employees Vote to Join AFGE |url=https://www.afge.org/article/institute-of-museum-and-library-services-employees-vote-to-join-afge/}}</ref>

The agency is a member of the [[National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities]], along with the [[National Endowment for the Arts]], the [[National Endowment for the Humanities]], and the [[Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/national-foundation-on-the-arts-and-the-humanities|title=National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities|work=Federal Register|access-date=October 1, 2022}}</ref>

In creating IMLS, Congress observed that the federal library and museum programs are far reaching, spanning cultural, educational, scientific, and information policy matters. Congress declared in the institute’s authorizing legislation, “Democracy demands wisdom and vision in its citizens,” and an important role of the federal government is to promote education and access to information for people of all backgrounds, wherever located.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IMLS Statute |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-79/pdf/STATUTE-79-Pg845.pdf}}</ref> By supporting museums and libraries throughout the nation, IMLS enables these organizations to carry out their public service role of connecting the whole of society with the cultural, artistic, historical, natural, and scientific understandings that constitute our heritage.

The Agency helps to ensure that all Americans have access to museum, library, and information services, and invests in new and exploratory approaches, as well as proven and tested methods. IMLS reports that it funds work that advances collective knowledge, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement, as well as projects that support broadband access and advancing digital literacy, learning and education, civic engagement, climate change, and services that address historic and growing inequities. The Agency also builds capacity within the museum and library fields to enable better service to communities through workforce development grants and to enhance community decision making by sharing trends and data.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Annual Performance Report |url=http://www.imls.gov/publications/2023-annual-performance-report |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=www.imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

IMLS supports a vast range of museums, including art, history, natural history, and children’s museums, zoos, science and technology centers, historic houses, nature centers, and botanical gardens. Similarly, IMLS invests in libraries across America, including public, academic, tribal, research, and special libraries, as well as other eligible institutions like archives, nonprofit cultural organizations, and universities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IMLS Strategic Plan, FY 2022–2026 |url=http://www.imls.gov/publications/imls-strategic-plan-fy-2022-2026 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=www.imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

IMLS is the largest source of federal funding for libraries in the nation, directing population-based funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the US territories, and Freely Associated States through its Grants to States program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IMLS APR |url=https://imls.gov/sites/default/files/2023-02/2022apr.pdf}}</ref> In FY2022, IMLS awarded $257.2M to institutions across the country, of which $168.8M was through its Grants to States program.

In addition to its other responsibilities, IMLS annually awards the [[National Medal for Museum and Library Service]], which is the nation’s highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Since 1994, IMLS has presented the award to outstanding libraries and museums of all types and sizes that deeply impact their communities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the National Medal |url=https://imls.gov/our-work/national-medal-museum-and-library-service}}</ref>

IMLS is located at 955 L'Enfant Plaza North, SW, Suite 4000, Washington, D.C. 20024-2135.

==History and purpose==
IMLS was established by the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) on September 30, 1996, which includes the [[Library Services and Technology Act]] and the Museum Services Act.  It consolidated the activities of the [[National Commission on Libraries and Information Science]].<ref>Blumenstein, Lynn. 2008. "Closing NCLIS Looks Back and Forward". ''Library Journal'' 133 (9): 20–21.</ref> The MLSA was reauthorized in 2003 and again in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.imls.gov/about-us/legislation-budget/timeline |title=Timeline |newspaper=Institute of Museum and Library Services |access-date=2016-10-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024093451/https://www.imls.gov/about-us/legislation-budget/timeline |archive-date=2016-10-24 }}</ref> The law combined the Institute of Museum Services,<ref>''The Nature and Level of Federal Support for Museums in Fiscal Years 1985 and 1986 : a Federal Study Mandated by Congress and Conducted by the Institute of Museum Services on Behalf of the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities'', Submitted to Congress February 1988. Washington, D.C.?: Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities, 1988.</ref><ref>''Hearing on the Reauthorization of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for Humanities, and the Institute of Museum Services Hearing before the Subcommittee on Labor-Management Relations of the Committee on Education and Labor'', House of Representatives, One Hundred Third Congress, First Session, Hearing Held in Washington, DC, June 17, 1993. Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 1993.</ref> which had been in existence since 1976 as part of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, and the Library Programs Office of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement<ref>"Library Unit in Ed. Dept. Is Renamed, Reshuffled. (Office of Libraries & Learning Technologies = Center for Education Improvement's Library Programs Div.)". ''American Libraries'' (Chicago, Ill.) 14 (1983): 72</ref><ref>Ottina, John R. 1974. "United States Office of Education and the Library Role". ''American Libraries'' 5 (June): 315.</ref> which had been part of the [[United States Department of Education|Department of Education]] under various names since 1937.<ref>Joeckel, Carleton B. (1936) "The New Federal Library Agency." ''Bulletin of the American Library Association'' 30, No. 7 (July): 529</ref>

Lawmakers saw "great potential in an Institute that is focused on the combined roles that libraries and museums play in our community life."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imls.gov/imlsat20 |title=IMLS At 20 |website=IMLS History |access-date=October 17, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012191236/https://www.imls.gov/imlsat20 |archive-date=October 12, 2016 }}</ref><ref>Marcum, D. (2014). Archives, Libraries, Museums: Coming Back Together? ''Information & Culture'', 49(1), 74-89.</ref> As amended, MLSA authorizes IMLS to promote improvements in library services; to facilitate access to resources in libraries; to encourage resource sharing among libraries; to support museums in fulfilling their public service and educational roles; to encourage leadership and innovation to enhance museum services; to assist museums in the conservation of America's heritage; to support museums in achieving the highest standards of management and service to the public; and to support resource sharing among museums, libraries and other organizations. MLSA also authorizes IMLS to carry out and publish analyses of the impact of museum and library services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLSA Amended |url=https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/mlsa_2018_asamended.pdf}}</ref>

The act comes up for reauthorization every five years. It was most recently reauthorized on December 31, 2018 by President Donald J. Trump (PL 115-410).

==Consolidation==
Following a proposal by President George W. Bush, the activities of the [[National Commission on Libraries and Information Science]] was consolidated under IMLS, along with some of the activities of the [[National Center for Education Statistics]], in order to create a unified body for federal support of library and information policy.<ref>"IMLS Gets Feedback on NCLIS Consolidation", "American Libraries", 8(8):  8.</ref>  The consolidation took effect in early 2008.

== Leadership ==
When Congress passed the [[Library Services and Technology Act]] in 1996, it moved library responsibilities out of the Department of Education and created the IMLS as a new agency. The act stipulated that the agency maintain a rotating directorship starting with the former director of the Institute of Museum Services for a four-year term. In the fifth year, the directorship would pass to a representative from the field of library and information science. Each new director is appointed by the current president and confirmed by the Senate for a four-year term.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S.C. Title 20 - EDUCATION |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap72.htm |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.govinfo.gov}}</ref>

===Directors===
[[Diane Frankel]] (1996): Prior to leading the agency through its transition to include federal library as well as museum programs, Frankel served as director of the Institute of Museum Services.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Librarians brief new IMLS director|journal=American Libraries|volume=28 |issue=2 |page=6}}</ref>

[[Robert S. Martin]] (2001): Preceding his position at IMLS, Martin was a professor and interim director of the School of Library and Information Studies at Texas Woman's University. He also served as Director and Librarian of the [[Texas State Library and Archives Commission]].<ref>"Texas Librarian Picked to Head IMLS". 2001. ''American Libraries'' 32 (6): 22.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Oder|first=N|date=2001|title=Librarian To Lead Fed Agency IMLS|journal=Library Journal|volume=126 |issue=9 |page=16}}</ref> He articulated the convergence of new media in lifelong learning at the beginning of the millennium at the 21st Century Learners Conference in November, 2001.<ref>Sheppard, Beverly,''The 21st Century Learner.''Institute of Museum and Library Services, Washington, DC. 2000. ERIC Document:ED 448 788</ref><ref>Martin, R. S. (2001, November 7, 2011). 21st Century Learners Conference, U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services: Reprinted in K.McCook (2011) ''Introduction to Public Librarianship'' 2nd ed. Neal-Schuman/ALA editions, pp.469-473. [https://archive.org/details/introductiontopu0000mcco/page/468/mode/2up?view=theater Available at the Internet Archive].</ref><ref>Berry, John N. 2005. "The Post-Martin Era". ''Library Journal'' 130 (11): 42–44.</ref> [[File:Dr. Robert S. Martin, Director of Institue of Museums and Library Services 2001-2005.jpg|thumb|Former IMLS Director Robert S. Martin is congratulated by [[John Y. Cole]], Director of the [[Center for the Book]] at the Library of Congress, during his farewell reception. Martin was director from 2001–2005.]]

[[Anne-Imelda Radice]] (2006): She previously served as chief of staff for the Department of Education and as curator in the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. She earned a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts; a master's degree from Villa Schifanoia Graduate School of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy; a second master's from American University in Washington, D.C.; and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/president-nominates-anne-imelda-radice-to-head-imls/ |title=President Nominates Anne-Imelda Radice to Head IMLS {{!}} American Libraries Magazine |newspaper=American Libraries Magazine |language=en-US |access-date=2016-10-18 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018230105/https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/president-nominates-anne-imelda-radice-to-head-imls/ |archive-date=2016-10-18 }}</ref> Radice returned to IMLS in 2018 and currently serves as a senior advisor in the Office of the Director. She previously served as Director of the Division of Public Programs at NEH.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anne-Imelda Radice |url=http://www.imls.gov/about-us/leadership-staff/anne-radice |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

[[Susan H. Hildreth]] (2011): She began her career as a branch librarian at the Edison Township Library in New Jersey, where she was president of the Public Library Association. She has also been the city librarian in Seattle and state librarian of California. In addition, Hildreth was deputy director of San Francisco Public Library.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.imls.gov/news-events/news-releases/justice-stephen-breyer-swears-susan-hildreth-new-director-imls |title=Justice Stephen Breyer Swears-in Susan Hildreth as New Director of IMLS |date=2011-03-02 |newspaper=Institute of Museum and Library Services |access-date=2016-10-18 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019022144/https://www.imls.gov/news-events/news-releases/justice-stephen-breyer-swears-susan-hildreth-new-director-imls |archive-date=2016-10-19 }}</ref>

[[Kathryn K. Matthew]] (2015): A scientist with a 30-year museum career, Matthew's experience includes curation, collections management, and research roles at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and Cranbrook Institute of Science. Her experience includes fundraising and marketing roles at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, The Nature Conservancy, the Historic Charleston Foundation, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. She was also executive director of the [[New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.imls.gov/news-events/news-releases/dr-kathryn-k-matthew-confirmed-director-institute-museum-and-library |title=Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew Confirmed as Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services |date=2015-09-23 |newspaper=Institute of Museum and Library Services |access-date=2016-10-18 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019024928/https://www.imls.gov/news-events/news-releases/dr-kathryn-k-matthew-confirmed-director-institute-museum-and-library |archive-date=2016-10-19 }}</ref>

[[Crosby Kemper III]] (2020): Previous director of the [[Kansas City Public Library]], from 2005 until his confirmation as IMLS Director. Kemper’s career began in banking; he most recently served as CEO of UMB Financial Corporation. Kemper has received the Difference Maker Award from the Urban League of Kansas City, the William F. Yates Medallion for Distinguished Service from [[William Jewell College]], and the 2010 Harmony Humanitarian Hoffman Legacy Award. His board service has included the [[Kansas City Symphony]], the [[Black Archives of Mid-America]], Union Station Kansas City, the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, the Rabbit Hole—a center promoting children’s books—and the [[Thomas Jefferson Foundation]], which operates [[Monticello]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump nominates Kemper |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article237368724.html}}</ref>

[[Cyndee Landrum]] (Acting Director) (2024):  As Deputy Director for Library Services, a position she has held since June 2019, she oversees the agency’s largest program—Grants to States—which is the primary source of Federal funding for libraries. She also manages grant programs that fund library leadership, workforce development, small libraries, and Tribal and Native Hawaiian libraries. Over a professional career of more than 20 years, Ms. Landrum has served in public libraries across the country. She was CEO of the [[Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library]] (IN) and assistant director for Oak Park Library (IL) and Mt. Lebanon Public Library (PA). She has taken on leadership roles at all levels of the profession, including serving as president of the [[Arizona Library Association]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institute of Museum and Library Services Announces Acting Director |url=http://imls.gov/news/institute-museum-and-library-services-announces-acting-director |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

== National Museum and Library Services Board ==
IMLS and the director are advised by the [[National Museum and Library Services Board]], The board, a 24-member advisory body that includes the IMLS director, the deputy director for the Office of Library Services, the deputy director for the Office of Museum Services, the general counsel, and 20 presidentially appointed individuals, advises on general policy and practices and helps with the selections for the National Medals for Museum and Library Service.<ref name="USC">{{USCode|20|9105a}}</ref>

===Current members===
The current council members as of September 29, 2024:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imls.gov/about-us/national-museum-and-library-services-board |title=Board |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=IMLS.gov |publisher=Institute of Museum and Library Services |access-date=September 29, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Position
! Name
! Notes
|-
! Chair (non-voting)<br>''(ex officio)''
| {{sortname|Cyndee|Landrum}} {{small|(acting)}}
| Acting Director, IMLS
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Brian|Allen|Brian Allen (art critic)}}
| Vermont
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Joan Breier|Brodsky}}
| Illinois
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Susan Lynn|Gibbons}}
| Connecticut
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Amy Elizabeth|Gilman}}
| Wisconsin
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|William T.|Harris|William T. Harris (CEO)}}
| Texas
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Lisa R.|Hathaway}}
| Florida
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Julius C.|Jefferson Jr.}}
| District of Columbia
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Ashley|Jordan}}
| Pennsylvania
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Cameron|Kitchin}}
| Ohio
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|MaryLynn|Mack}}
| California
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Kelli|Mosteller}}
| Oklahoma
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Dipesh|Navsaria}}
| Wisconsin
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|James G.|Neal}}
| New York
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Annie|Norman}}
| Delaware
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Halona|Norton-Westbrook}}
| Hawaii
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Allison C.|Perkins}}
| North Carolina
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Alan C.|Price}}
| Massachusetts
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Mónica|Ramírez-Montagut}}
| New York
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Timothy D.|Murray}}
| Delaware
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Ramiro S.|Salazar}}
| Texas
|-
! Member (non-voting)<br>''(ex officio)''
| {{sortname|Anthony|Smith|Anthony Smith (library executive)}} {{small|(acting)}}
| Acting Deputy Director for Library Services, IMLS
|-
! Member (non-voting)<br>''(ex officio)''
| {{sortname|Laura Huerta|Migus}}
| Deputy Director for Museum Services, IMLS
|-
! Member (non-voting)<br>''(ex officio)''
| {{sortname|Calvin D.|Trowbridge III}} {{small|(acting)}}
| Acting General Counsel, IMLS
|}

==Strategic plan==
The Institute of Museums and Library Services ''Strategic Plan for 2022-2026'' has four major components: 1) Champion Lifelong Learning; 2) Strengthen Community Engagement; 3) Advance Collections Stewardship and Advancement and 4) Demonstrate Excellence in Public Service.<ref>U.S. Institute of Museums and Library Services. ''[https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/imls-strategic-plan-2022-2026.pdf Strategic Plan FY 2022–2026.]''  (March 2022).</ref>

==Grants==
The Institute of Museum and Library Services offers numerous grants for museums, libraries, and other cultural heritage institutions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.imls.gov/grants/apply-grant/available-grants |title=Apply for a Grant |newspaper=Institute of Museum and Library Services |access-date=2016-10-23 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909141720/https://www.imls.gov/grants/apply-grant/available-grants |archive-date=2016-09-09 }}</ref>  The grants support the IMLS's strategic goals of advancing "innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement."<ref name="about">{{Cite news |date=2015-02-19 |title=About Us |url=http://www.imls.gov/about-us |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916195520/http://www.imls.gov/about-us |archive-date=2015-09-16 |access-date=2016-10-23 |newspaper=Institute of Museum and Library Services}}</ref>

The Agency’s discretionary grants are selected through a highly respected and competitive peer review process, drawing on professionals located across the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Application Review Process |url=http://www.imls.gov/grants/apply-grant/application-review-process |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.imls.gov |language=en}}</ref> This work enables museums and libraries located in geographically and economically diverse areas to deliver essential services that make it possible for individuals and communities to flourish.

=== Office of Library Services ===
The [[Office of Library Services]] (OLS) supports the recruitment, training, and development of library staff, boards, and volunteers, helping to grow a skilled, professional workforce. OLS enhances library resources that foster early, digital, information, health, financial, media, civic, and other types of literacies, and encourages library and museum professionals and institutions to share and adopt best practices and innovations. IMLS is the largest source of federal funding for libraries in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peer Review |url=http://imls.gov/grants/peer-review |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==== Grants To States ====
The [[Grants to States program]] is the largest source of federal funding support for library services in the United States. IMLS funds enable State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) to advance library services throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the US territories, and Freely Associated States. The program cuts across all geographies and all community types with population-based formula grants administered through the SLAAs. The program also addresses a variety of different types of agency priorities, including broadband access and advancing digital literacy, workforce development, learning and education, civic engagement, climate change, and services that address historic and growing inequities.

Each year, approximately 1,500 Grants to States projects support the purposes and priorities outlined in the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). SLAAs may distribute the funds through competitive subawards to, or through cooperative agreements with, public, academic, research, school, or special libraries or consortia (for-profit and federal libraries are not eligible).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grants to States |url=http://imls.gov/grants/grant-programs/grants-states |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==== Discretionary Library Grants ====
The Office of Library Services offers five funding opportunities: 

* National Leadership Grants for Libraries
* Native American Library Services: Basic Grants, 
* Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants, 
* Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants, and 
* Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grant Programs |url=http://imls.gov/grants/grant-programs |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

=== Office of Museum Services ===
The [[Office of Museum Services]] (OMS) supports the recruitment, training, and development of museum staff, boards, and volunteers, helping to grow a skilled, professional workforce. OMS enhances museum resources that foster early, digital, information, health, financial, media, civic, and other types of literacies.

Museums cover varying disciplines, and come in many sizes, including zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and arboretums; nature and science centers; history museums and historic sites; art museums; children’s museums; natural history museums; and specialized museums.

==== Museum Discretionary Grants ====
The Office of Museum Services offers seven competitive funding opportunities: Museums for America; Inspire! Grants for Small Museums and Museums Empowered (two special initiatives of the Museums for America program); 21st Century Museum Professional; National Leadership Grants for Museums; Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services; and Museum Grants for African American History and Culture, as well as the new Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grant Programs |url=http://imls.gov/grants/grant-programs |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==== American Latino Museum Internship and Fellowship Initiative ====
This initiative is designed to provide opportunities for internships and fellowships at American Latino museums for students enrolled in Institutions of Higher Education, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The initiative will nurture students carrying out studies relating to American Latino life, art, history, and culture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Latino Museum Internship and Fellowship Initiative |url=http://imls.gov/grants/available/american-latino-museum-internship-and-fellowship-initiative |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==== Collections Assessment For Preservation Program (CAP) ====
CAP is administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC). Program provides small and mid-sized museums with partial funding toward an assessment of their policies and procedures relating to collections care and a study of their collections, buildings, and building systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Collections Assessment for Preservation Program |url=http://imls.gov/grants/available/collections-assessment-preservation-program |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==== Museum Assessment Program (MAP) ====
MAP is supported through a cooperative agreement between IMLS and the American Alliance of Museums. MAP offers museums an opportunity to strengthen operations and plan for the future through a low-cost, year-long process of self-assessment and consultative peer review.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museum Assessment Program {{!}} Institute of Museum and Library Services |url=https://imls.gov/our-work/partnerships/museum-assessment-program |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=imls.gov}}</ref>

== Public Programs/Special Initiatives ==

=== IMLS250: All Stories, All People, All Places. ===
Gearing up for America250, the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, IMLS has launched IMLS250: All Stories, All People, All Places.<ref>{{Cite web |title=America250 |url=http://imls.gov/our-work/partnerships/america250 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

=== Information Literacy Taskforce ===
IMLS is convening an interagency taskforce and facilitating the development of a portal of resources bridging information literacy research and practice to advance information literacy within communities. This Information Literacy Taskforce is charged with helping libraries and community organizations support the challenges, faced by people of all ages, of a lack of literacy in many areas, from health, climate, and finance to civic engagement and public safety.<ref>{{Cite web |last=House |first=The White |date=2022-08-19 |title=United We Stand: Countering Hate-Fueled Violence Together |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/blog/2022/08/19/united-we-stand-countering-hate-fueled-violence-together/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== National Medal for Museum and Library Service ===
{{Main|National Medal for Museum and Library Service}}
This is the “nation’s highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.” Since 1994, IMLS has presented the award to 182 outstanding libraries and museums of all types and sizes that deeply impact their communities. On May 23, 2023, IMLS announced eight winners for the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service |url=http://www.imls.gov/our-work/national-medals/2023-national-medal-museum-and-library-service |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.imls.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-17 |title=Connecting with COSI: Museum to be recognized by the White House |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/connecting-with-cosi-museum-to-be-recognized-by-the-white-house/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=NBC4 WCMH-TV |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Libraries ====

* Kuskokwim Consortium Library (Bethel, AK)
* [[LA County Library]] (Los Angeles, CA)
* Long Branch Free Public Library (Long Branch, NJ)
* [[Toledo-Lucas County Public Library]] (Toledo, OH)

Museums:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-23 |title=Museums in four states win top US prize |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/05/23/institute-museum-library-services-awards-2023 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The Art Newspaper - International art news and events}}</ref>

* [[COSI]]: Center of Science and Industry (Columbus, OH)
* [[Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum]] (Buffalo, WY)
* [[Museum of Discovery and Science]] (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
* [[Riverside Art Museum]] (Riverside, CA)

The award is typically presented by the First Lady of the United States. On July 17, 2023, First Lady Jill Biden hosted the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web |last=House |first=The White |date=2023-07-17 |title=Remarks by First Lady Jill Biden at the Institute of Museum and Library Services 2023 National Medal Award Ceremony at the White House |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/07/17/remarks-by-first-lady-jill-biden-at-the-institute-of-museum-and-library-services-2023-national-medal-award-ceremony-at-the-white-house/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== National Student Poets Program ===
{{Main|National Student Poets Program}}
This is the nation’s highest honor for youth poets presenting original work. This partnership between IMLS and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers recognizes student poets’ achievements at the national level and highlights the importance of literacy. Each year, a national panel of literary luminaries selects five National Student Poets from gold and silver national medalists in the poetry category of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.artandwriting.org/programs/national-student-poets-program/}}</ref> The young poets, nominated while in grades 10 and 11, are appointed at a special ceremony. During their year of service, the poets lead readings and workshops at libraries, museums, and schools, and participate in a range of regional literary and arts events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Student Poets Program (NSPP) |url=http://imls.gov/our-work/partnerships/national-student-poets-program |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref> Representing five geographical regions of the nation, the 2023 National Student Poets are:

* Jacqueline Flores (Southeast), Fort Meade Middle Senior High School, Zolfo Springs, FL
* Miles Hardingwood (Northeast), Hunter College High School, Brooklyn, NY<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Brooklyn Eagle |date=2023-08-23 |title=Brooklyn high schooler named 1 of 5 National Student Poets |url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2023/08/23/brooklyn-high-schooler-named-1-of-5-national-student-poets/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Brooklyn Eagle |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Shangri-La Hou (Midwest), John Burroughs School, Saint Louis, MO<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-29 |title=Teenage poet from Lake St. Louis will promote poetry to students nationwide |url=https://www.stlpr.org/arts/2023-08-29/teenage-poet-from-lake-st-louis-will-promote-poetry-to-students-nationwide |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=STLPR |language=en}}</ref>
* Kallan McKinney (Southwest), Norman High School, Norman, OK<ref>{{Cite web |title=Norman High School student named Southwest region's National Student Poet |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2023/08/24/norman-high-school-student-named-regions-national-student-poet/70667986007/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Gabriella Miranda (West), Rowland Hall, Salt Lake City, UT<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-07 |title=A high schooler from Utah is one of the 2023 National Student Poets |url=https://www.fox13now.com/the-place/a-high-schooler-from-utah-is-one-of-the-2023-national-student-poets |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU) |language=en}}</ref>

On November 13, 2023, First Lady Jill Biden honored the Class of 2023 National Student Poets at the White House in Washington, DC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=International |first=United Press |date=2023-11-13 |title=First Lady Jill Biden Welcomes 2023 National Student Poets at White House, including Salt Lake City resident {{!}} Gephardt Daily |url=https://gephardtdaily.com/local/first-lady-jill-biden-welcomes-2023-national-student-poets-at-white-house-including-salt-lake-city-resident/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=gephardtdaily.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Save America's Treasures ===
[[Save America's Treasures]] is a National Park Service grant program in collaboration with IMLS, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Designed to support the preservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections, the grant program is competitive and requires a dollar-for-dollar match. Individual properties or collections that received an SAT grant in the past are not eligible for additional funding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save America's Treasures |url=http://imls.gov/grants/available/save-americas-treasures |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

=== Museums for All ===
[[Museums for All]] is a partnership between IMLS and the [[Association of Children’s Museums]] that encourages low-income families to visit museums and build lifelong museum habits. Participating museums offer free or greatly reduced admission fees year-round to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders. To date, the program comprises over 1,000 museums making free or discounted museum visits possible for over 5,000,000 children and families across the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museums for All {{!}} Institute of Museum and Library Services |url=https://imls.gov/our-work/partnerships/museums-all |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=imls.gov}}</ref>

=== National Tribal Broadband Summit ===
The [[National Tribal Broadband Summit]] is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s ongoing efforts to close the digital divide and builds on an all-of-government approach to uplift Tribal sovereignty in the digital arena to ensure Tribal lands are fully connected. The Summit aims to collaborate with federal partners, Tribal nations, and organizations to make broadband development on Tribal lands less burdensome and share information to provide an overview of the other critical components to achieving full broadband access and adoption on Tribal Lands: new technologies and innovative partnership solutions to fully support tribal self-governance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title=Federal Funds to Bring Broadband to New Mexico Tribal Lands |url=https://www.govtech.com/network/federal-funds-to-bring-broadband-to-new-mexico-tribal-lands |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=GovTech |language=en}}</ref>

=== Communities for Immunity ===
IMLS partnered with the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence in communities across the United States. With support from CDC and IMLS, the [[Association of Science and Technology Centers]] (ASTC), in collaboration with the [[American Alliance of Museums]] (AAM), launched [[Communities for Immunity]] to provide funding to museums and libraries to enhance vaccine confidence at the local level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Communities for Immunity |url=http://imls.gov/our-work/partnerships/communities-immunity |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

=== REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) ===
{{Main|REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums}}
OCLC, IMLS, and Battelle are working together to create and distribute science-based information and recommended practices to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 for museums, libraries, and archives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) {{!}} Institute of Museum and Library Services |url=https://imls.gov/our-work/partnerships/reopening-archives-libraries-and-museums |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=imls.gov}}</ref>

==Research==
The Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) supports IMLS's efforts to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. ORE executes three key functions: policy research, evaluations, and surveys & data.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research & Evaluation |url=http://imls.gov/research-evaluation |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Key initiatives include the evaluation of the Grants to States program and the data collections for the Public Libraries Survey and State Library Agency Survey.

ORE's functions are detailed in Section 9108 of IMLS’ authorizing legislation, which states that IMLS “collaborate and consult with state library agencies, library and museum organizations, and other relevant agencies and organizations to conduct our research, evaluations, and data collections.”

The legislation further states that IMLS “use the research to identify national needs for and trends in museum and library services, measure and report on the services' impact and effectiveness, identify best practices, and develop plans to improve them.”

===Survey and data collection===
* ''Data Catalog'' – Data relating to grants administration and data about libraries, museums, and related organizations.
* ''Public Library Survey'' (PLS) – collects data from 9,000 public library systems and 17,000 public library outlets.
* ''State Library Agency Survey'' (SLAA) – provides descriptive data about state libraries.
* ''Public Needs for Library and Museum Services Survey'' (PNLMS) – measures "expectations and satisfaction" with cultural heritage institutions through a household survey.
* ''Museum Data File'' (MDF) – contains information about cultural heritage institutions in the United States.
* ''Administration Discretionary Grant Data'' – Records of grants funded by IMLS since FY 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Data Catalog |url=http://imls.gov/research-tools/data-collection |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=imls.gov |language=en}}</ref>

== Legislative History ==

=== 2020 National Museum of The American Latino Act ===
On December 27, 2020, the National Museum of the American Latino Act (“American Latino Act”) (PL116-260) was enacted into law. The legislation establishes grants and fellowship programs at IMLS to support American Latino Museums and related scholarship. It authorizes $15 million per year for IMLS to carry out its statutory purpose of recognizing, celebrating, and enhancing understanding of the important history and contributions of American Latinos.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2420#:~:text=The%20purposes%20of%20the%20museum,provide%20for%20collaboration%20with%20Smithsonian}}</ref>

=== 2018 Museum and Library Services Act of 2018 ===
On December 31, 2018, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018 (PL 115-410) was signed into law. It reauthorized the existing programs and functions of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and provided new authority, including to develop and support new museum, library, and information professionals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museum and Library Services Act of 2018 |url=PLAW-115publ410.pdf |url-status=}}</ref>

=== 2010 Museum and Library Services Act of 2010 ===
On December 22, 2010, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010 (PL 111-340) was signed into law. The legislation reauthorized the existing programs of the Institute of Museum and Library Services with some important changes. The updated language calls on IMLS to take an active role in research and data collection and to advise the President and Congress on museum, library, and information services. This Act also expressly recognizes how libraries and museums contribute to a competitive workforce and engaged citizenry. New language focuses on the development of essential 21st century skills.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SB 3984 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/3984?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22R.%22%7D&s=1&r=19}}</ref>

=== 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 ===
Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 providing IMLS with the authority to carry out the functions of the former National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, to streamline the Agency, and strengthen library services and policy in the Federal government. In addition, the Act provided funding to enable the Institute to assume responsibility for two library statistics programs formerly housed at the National Center for Educational Statistics at the United States Department of Education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HB 2764 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2764}}</ref>

=== Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 ===
On September 25, 2003, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 (PL 108-81) was signed into law. Recognizing the effectiveness of the new Agency, this legislation reauthorized federal appropriations for IMLS. But the framers of the 2003 law also sought to capitalize on lessons learned since 1996 by amending the initial MLSA in several ways, including the establishment of the National Museum and Library Services Board and incorporating new authority for research and evaluation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 |url=https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/2003.pdf}}</ref>

=== National Museum of African American History and Culture Act of 2003 ===
On December 16, 2003, the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act was signed into law. In addition to providing authority to create a new Smithsonian museum for African American History and Culture, the Act authorizes $15M per year for IMLS to carry out its statutory purpose of enhancing the vitality and sustainability of museums of African American History and Culture and encouraging scholarship and careers in African American history and culture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HB 3491 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3491}}</ref>

=== Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 ===
The Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 1996 established the Institute of Museum and Library Services within the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities. The new Agency combined the former Institute of Museum Services and federal museum programs, which had been in existence since 1976, with the Library Programs Office and federal library program that had been part of the Department of Education since 1956.<ref>{{Cite web |title=20 USC Ch. 72: MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES |url=https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter72&edition=prelim |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=uscode.house.gov}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/institute-of-museum-and-library-services FederalRegister.gov <nowiki>&</nowiki>mdash; Institute of Museum and Library Services]
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[[Category:Library-related organizations]]
[[Category:Museums in the United States]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1996]]
[[Category:Independent agencies of the United States government]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities]]