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Printed 05/06

Creating a
1

It is a pleasure to present the funding opportunities brochure for 2007. Each year, The Institute

of Museum and Library Services helps libraries and museums nationwide to meet the needs of

their communities. This guide provides a succinct overview of the Institute’s programs, useful

tips and tools you can use to develop competitive grant applications, and, most importantly,

staff contact information for each program.

The Institute’s competitive funding process evaluates applications in a transparent and equitable

manner, and helps museums and libraries to develop programs that have the greatest impact on

their communities. Our grants to states for library service help to strengthen use of technology

and service to underserved communities. All of the Institute’s programs help to leverage private

and public partnerships to support and expand the impact of good programs.

We want to work with libraries and museums across the country who want to be leaders in their

communities. Our grantees enhance learning in families and communities, sustain cultural

heritage, build twenty-first-century skills, provide opportunities for civic participation, and 

much more.

We look forward to hearing from you. I know I speak for everyone here at the Institute when

I say I look forward to working with you this year and in the years to come. 

Sincerely,

Anne-Imelda M. Radice

Director

DEAR FRIENDS,

Nation of Learners
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview

04 Information for Applicants

07 Application Review

Opportunities for Both 

Libraries and Museums

10 National Leadership Grants

12 Partnership for a Nation of Learners

Community Collaboration Grants

14 National Awards for Museum and

Library Service

16 Federal Partnership Activities:

Coming Up Taller and 

Save America’s Treasures

Library Opportunities

18 Laura Bush 21st Century

Librarian Program

20 Grants to States

21 Native American Library Services:

Basic Grants with

Education/Assessment Option

22 Native American Library Services:

Enhancement Grants

23 Native Hawaiian Library Services

Grants

Museum Opportunities

26 Eligibility Criteria for Museums

28 Museums for America

29 21st Century Museum Professionals

30 Conservation Project Support

31 Conservation Assessment Program

32 Museum Assessment Program

33 Native American/Native Hawaiian

Museum Services Program

35 Museum Grants for African American

History and Culture

Agency Information

38 IMLS Staff Directory

40 National Museum and Library

Services Board
Overview
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

4

What Is the Institute of Museum and Library Services?

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the primary source of federal support for

the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 15,000 museums. Its mission is to grow and sustain a “Nation

of Learners,” because lifelong learning is essential to a democratic society and individual success.

Through its grant making, convenings, research, and publications, the Institute empowers museums

and libraries nationwide to provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and

communities, sustain cultural heritage, build 21st century skills, and increase civic participation.

This booklet describes grant opportunities for libraries and museums offered directly by the

Institute, or through our partnerships with other organizations and federal agencies.

IMLS Resources Online

www.imls.gov. Our newly redesigned Web site is a great source for current information on our

grant and award programs, and on trends in library and museum service. The “Grant Applicants”

section provides resources to help grant seekers compose competitive applications, including

grant program guidelines, application fill-in forms, and samples of successful applications. The

site is a one-stop shop for libraries and museums who want to apply for grants, get publications,

and learn about community partnerships, planning, evaluation, and much more.

Primary Source. The Institute offers a free, monthly e-mail newsletter called Primary Source.

It provides current information about our grant programs, lists reminders of important grant

deadlines, and contains valuable links to information on our Web site. Every month, the

newsletter highlights selected projects, demonstrating how museums and libraries across the

country use grants from the Institute to further their service to the public. We encourage

everyone interested in museums and libraries to subscribe. To sign up for Primary Source,

visit www.imls.gov/primarysource.

NLG Project Planning: A Tutorial. Museums and libraries applying for National Leadership Grants

can use an online tutorial, located at www.imls.gov/project_planning, to assist with their project

plan development. Designed to facilitate the development of competitive grant applications, this

tutorial can be used by anyone who would like to learn more about project planning and

development. The Institute’s senior program officers worked with museum professionals and

librarians to develop this powerful learning resource, making it a useful tool for professional

education and development, staff training, and a wide array of project planning activities.

Grants.gov

As part of the President’s E-Government initiative, the federal government developed Grants.gov,

a single Web site for organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant

opportunities from all 26 of the federal grant-making agencies. Beginning with the 2007 grant

cycle, all applicants for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program, the 21st Century

Museum Professionals program, and the National Leadership Grants program will be required to

apply online through Grants.gov. Applicants for all other discretionary grant programs will have

the choice of obtaining the grant applications from the Institute through the mail (or from our

Web site) and mailing in the completed applications, or filling out and submitting applications

online through Grants.gov. Even though many applicants will have the choice of paper or online

applications, the Institute strongly encourages applicants to apply online if possible. For a

program in which an applicant can chose either a Grants.gov or a mailed submission, the entire

completed application must be either online through Grants.gov or as a mailed document. The

Institute will not accept applications that are partially submitted through both options. For more

information on the process of applying through Grants.gov, visit www.grants.gov/GetStarted.
5

Application Deadlines and Announcements

Grant and award deadlines are postmark dates that remain the same from year to year. Should

a deadline fall on a Sunday or a holiday, applications postmarked the following business day

will be accepted. The deadlines (based on the federal fiscal year, October 1 through September

30) are listed in chronological order below.

Deadline Program Awards Announced

Oct. 1, 2006 Conservation Project Support Mid-April

Nov. 15, 2006 Museums for America Mid-July

Dec. 1, 2006 Conservation Assessment Program Mid-April

Dec. 15, 2006 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Mid-June

Jan. 15, 2007 Museum Grants for African American History Mid-July

and Culture

Feb. 1, 2007 National Leadership Grants for Libraries Mid-September

Feb. 1, 2007 National Leadership Grants for Museums Mid-September

Feb. 15, 2007 Museum Assessment Program Mid-June

Feb. 15, 2007 National Awards for Museum and Library Service Fall

Mar. 1, 2007 Partnership for a Nation of Learners Community Mid-September

Collaboration Grants

Mar. 1, 2007 Native American Library Services Basic Grants with Mid-June

Education/Assessment Option

Mar. 15, 2007 21st Century Museum Professionals Mid-September

Apr.1, 2007 Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Mid-September

Services Program

May 1, 2007 Native American Library Services: Mid-September

Enhancement Grants

May 15, 2007 Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants Mid-September

June 30, 2007 New Five-Year Plans for State Library Grant Program

Obtaining Applications

Applications and guidelines are available in PDF format on our Web site (www.imls.gov). Until

the 2007 guidelines are available, the 2006 versions will remain available for reference. Please

note that you must submit a current 2007 application to be eligible for a grant. Paper copies

are available by mail upon request by sending an e-mail to imlsinfo@imls.gov. The Institute will

provide visually impaired or learning-disabled persons with an audio recording of our

publications upon request.
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

6

Project Results and Evaluation

An application’s proposed plan for project evaluation is a significant element in competitive

review. The Institute is committed to expanding access to museum and library resources and to

increasing and communicating the value of museums and libraries. We promote outcomesbased planning and measurement as powerful management tools to meet this commitment.

Applications that describe benefits in terms of adoption or use, or knowledge or other learning

results, whether for professional peers or end users, should identify their specific audiences

and should say how the project will objectively and concretely measure outcomes. The Institute

expects each application budget to include specific and sufficient resources for such evaluation

and for the application of interim findings to strengthen project results.

Potential applicants who are not familiar with models of outcomes-based planning and

measurement should see www.imls.gov/project_planning, www.imls.gov/applicants/obe.shtm,

and www.imlsutilities.net/logicmodel. The Institute’s staff members are available for technical

assistance in developing project evaluation plans that support the agency’s goals.

Important Notice about U.S. Postal Service Mail Delivery

All First Class and Priority mail sent to the Institute is subject to an irradiation process, which

results in lengthy delays in mail delivery. Please consider using alternative delivery services.

Because of their length and the number of copies required for a complete submission,

applications cannot be accepted by fax or e-mail.

Irradiation damages materials such as CDs, videos, and slides. If you are sending these kinds

of materials, we encourage you to consider using commercial delivery services. If you are

concerned about the status of any time-sensitive mail, please contact us to ensure that your

materials have arrived. Museum Assessment Program applicants are encouraged to call the

American Association of Museums at 202/289-9118 to ensure receipt of application materials.

Applicants for the Conservation Assessment Program are encouraged to call Heritage

Preservation at 202/233-0800 to ensure receipt of application materials. We appreciate your

efforts to ensure that we receive your applications intact and on time.
7

Review Process

The Institute’s well-respected peer review process is central to the agency’s grant-making

function. The success of our grant programs is due largely to these peer reviewers, who

dedicate their time and expertise to advance the highest professional practices in the field.

Reviewers come from museums and libraries of all sizes, disciplines, and types, and represent

a broad cross-section of the country.

How to Serve as a Reviewer

All competitive awards are reviewed by library and museum professionals who know the needs

of communities, can share promising practices, and are well versed in the issues and concerns

of museums and libraries today. There are many benefits to volunteering to review applications.

If you are selected to serve, you will help the Institute and the museum and library

communities and strengthen the grant review process.

If you are interested in serving as a reviewer for the Institute, you can enter information about

yourself in our database of potential reviewers by submitting your information on our online

reviewer forms at www.imls.gov/reviewers/reviewers.shtm.

Requirements for Reviewers

21st Century Museum Professionals: Reviewers must have professional experience in either

museums or professional service organizations that serve museums, or institutions of higher

education. Reviewers with specific technical expertise are solicited as necessary.

Conservation Project Support Program: Reviewers must have professional expertise in

conservation, either as a conservator, scientist, or architect, or as a collections care

professional. Reviewers identify their areas of expertise and the types of projects with which

they are most familiar, and are assigned applications according to that information.

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program: Reviewers must have professional expertise in

library and information science or related disciplines.

Museums for America Grants: Reviewers must have professional experience in any museum

discipline and must have a wide range of museum knowledge. Examples of this type of

knowledge include institutional planning, community outreach, education, and technological

applications.

Museum Grants for African American History and Culture: Reviewers must have professional

experience in or relating to African American history and culture as well as experience with

general museum operations.

National Leadership Grants: Reviewers for library projects must have professional experience in

library and information science or related disciplines. A background in library education,

research, preservation, digitization, multimedia, or distance education is especially valuable.

Reviewers for museum projects must have professional experience in either museums or

professional service organizations serving museums.

APPLICATION REVIEW
APPLICATION REVIEW

Native American/Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants: Reviewers must have expertise in or

relating to library services to Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, or other traditionally

underserved populations.

Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Grants: Reviewers must have expertise in

or relating to museum services to Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, or other traditionally

underserved populations.

Partnership for a Nation of Learners Community Collaboration Grants: Reviewers must have

professional experience in one or more of the following: library and information science or

related disciplines; museums or professional service organizations serving museums; public

broadcasting or professional service organizations serving public broadcasting; education

and learning.

Equal Opportunity Statement: IMLS programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color,

national origin, sex, disability, or age. For further information, write to the Civil Rights Officer,

Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC

20036-5802.

8
Opportunities for

Both Libraries 

and Museums
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS

10

Program Overview

National Leadership Grants enable libraries

and museums to help people gain the

knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors, and

resources that enhance their engagement in

community, work, family, and society. Projects

should enable libraries and museums to

address current problems in creative ways,

develop and test innovative solutions, and

expand the boundaries within which cultural

heritage institutions operate. The results of

these projects will help equip tomorrow’s

libraries and museums to better meet the

needs of a Nation of Learners. 

Successful proposals will show evidence that

they will have national impact and generate

results—new tools, research, models, services,

practices, or alliances—that can be widely

adapted or replicated to extend the benefit of

federal support. Proposals will reflect an

understanding of current issues and needs,

showing the potential for far-reaching impact

throughout the museum and/or library

community. Projects will provide creative

solutions to issues of national importance and

provide leadership for other organizations. 

Deadline: February 1, 2007

Grant Amount: $25,000–$1,000,000 for museums; 

$50,000–$1,000,000 for libraries

Grant Period: Up to three years

Matching Requirement: 1:1 for requests over $250,000, except research projects.

Cost sharing of at least one-third is encouraged for requests

under $250,000 and for research projects. Demonstration

projects are subject to nonresearch matching provisions.

Program Contacts for Libraries: Martha Crawley, Senior Program Officer 

(Building Digital Resources, Research and Demonstration)

Phone: 202/653-4667

E-mail: mcrawley@imls.gov

Susan Malbin, Senior Program Officer 

(Advancing Learning Communities)

Phone: 202/653-4768

E-mail: smalbin@imls.gov

Karen Thomas, Program Specialist 

(Building Digital Resources, Research and Demonstration)

Phone: 202/653-4687

E-mail: kthomas@imls.gov

Janet M. Ciciarelli, Program Specialist 

(Advancing Learning Communities)

Phone: 202/653-4798

E-mail: jciciarelli@imls.gov

Program Contacts for Museums: Dan Lukash, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4644

E-mail: dlukash@imls.gov

Twinet G. Kimbrough, Program Specialist 

Phone: 202/653-4703 

E-mail: tkimbrough@imls.gov

Beginning with the FY 2007

grant cycle, all applicants for

the National Leadership

Grants program are required

to file their applications,

including all attachments,

online through Grants.gov.

Complete information and

instructions will be available

in the guidelines documents

for the specific program.
11

Categories

• Advancing Learning Communities supports

new opportunities for libraries and museums

to engage with other organizations to meet

the educational, economic, and social needs

of learners of all ages. Projects will support

learning throughout the lifetime, whether that

learning takes place in communities, in

schools, or in the workplace. A learning

society requires a new vision, in which

learning is seen as a community-wide

responsibility, supported by both formal and

informal educational entities. The Institute

will support programs based on current

research in cognitive science; learning and

literacy partnerships among early, adult, and

community learning providers; development 

of innovative learning technologies using

library and museum content; and exploration

of new ways to integrate digital and physical

services and programs.

• Building Digital Resources supports the

creation, use, preservation, and presentation 

of significant digital resources, as well as the

development of tools to manage digital assets.

The Institute will support projects that

preserve and enhance access to valuable

library and museum resources; support the

development of tools to help libraries and

museums manage and share digital assets;

address the challenges of preserving and

archiving digital media; and enhance

interoperability, integration, and seamless

access to digital assets, particularly projects

that are of statewide, regional, thematic, or

national scope. 

• Research and Demonstration supports basic

and applied research and demonstration

projects to test potential solutions to problems

in a real-world environment. The Institute will

support research to improve the effectiveness

of library and museum services and their

impacts on users; enhance understanding of

learning within and across different age

groups; fulfill users’ needs and expectations;

investigate or develop systems of knowledge

organization, such as taxonomies and

ontologies; enhance information discovery;

investigate knowledge integration, data

curation, or interoperability; create innovative

methods of preservation of digital or analog

library materials; integrate physical and digital

experiences; and develop new methodologies,

standards, or practices. 

Partnerships 

The Institute particularly encourages projects

that meet community needs through innovative

collaborations between museums and libraries

and with other organizations as appropriate.

Partnerships between libraries and museums are

particularly encouraged under this program. 

Eligibility 

All types of libraries, except federal and for-profit

libraries, may apply. Eligible libraries include

public, school, academic, special, private (notfor-profit), archives, library agencies, library

consortia, and library associations. Research

libraries and archives that give the public access

to services and materials suitable for scholarly

research not otherwise available and that are not

part of a university or college also are eligible.

Digital libraries that make library materials

publicly available and provide services including

selection, organization, description, reference,

and preservation under the supervision of at

least one permanent professional staff librarian

are eligible to apply. Institutions of higher

education, including public and not-for-profit

universities and colleges, also are eligible. An

academic unit, such as a graduate school of

library and information science, may apply as

part of an institution of higher education. Library

applicants may apply individually or as partners. 

Museums that fulfill the Eligibility Criteria for

Museums (see page 26) may apply. Private notfor-profit museum services organizations or

associations that engage in activities designed to

advance the well-being of museums and the

museum profession also may apply. In addition,

institutions of higher education, including public

and not-for-profit universities, are eligible. 

Applicants may prepare and submit multiple

proposals in a given fiscal year. However, the

same proposal may not be submitted under

more than one category. Applying to one grant

program does not preclude applying to another.

See Program Guidelines for specific eligibility

criteria.
PARTNERSHIP FOR A NATION OF LEARNERS COMMUNIT Y

COLLABORATION GRANTS

12

Program Overview

At the time of publication, details of the

FY2007 Community Collaboration Grant

program have not been finalized. Pending

availability of funding, the next application

deadline will be March 1, 2007. Check 

our Web site, www.imls.gov, or the

Partnership for a Nation of Learners Web 

site, www.partnershipforlearners.org, for

information and updates on this program.

The Partnership for a Nation of Learners is a

leadership initiative of the Corporation for

Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the Institute

of Museum and Library Services, formed in

2004. It encourages libraries, museums and

public broadcasters to work collaboratively 

to address local needs, increase civic

engagement and improve the quality of life 

in communities across the country. The

initiative includes a competitive grant

program, professional development activities,

and online resources, available at

www.partnershipforlearners.org. 

Eligibility

All types of libraries, except federal and forprofit libraries, may apply. Eligible libraries

include public, school, academic, special,

private (not-for-profit), archives, library

agencies, library consortia, and library

associations. In addition, research libraries

and archives that give the public access to

services and materials suitable for scholarly

research not otherwise available and that are

not part of a university or college are eligible.

Digital libraries that make library materials

publicly available and provide services

including selection, organization, description,

reference, and preservation under the

supervision of at least one permanent

professional staff librarian are eligible to

apply. Institutions of higher education,

including public and not-for-profit universities

and colleges, also are eligible. An academic

unit, such as a graduate school of library and

information science, may apply as part of an

institution of higher education. Library

applicants may apply individually or as

partners. 

Deadline: March 1, 2007

Grant Amount: TBD

Grant Period: TBD

Matching Requirement: TBD

Program Contacts: Susan Malbin, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4768

E-mail: smalbin@imls.gov

Janet M. Ciciarelli, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4798

E-mail: jciciarelli@imls.gov
13

Museums that fulfill the Eligibility Criteria for

Museums (see page 26) may apply. Private

not-for-profit museum services organizations

or associations that engage in activities

designed to advance the well-being of

museums and the museum profession also

may apply. In addition, institutions of higher

education, including public and not-for-profit

universities, are eligible. 

Public broadcasting applicants and official

partners must be noncommercial television or

radio licensees that currently receive an

annual CPB Community Service Grant (CSG).

Applicants will be required to provide their

CSG identification numbers. More information

is available at www.partnershipforlearners.org. 

Applicants may prepare and submit multiple

proposals in a given fiscal year. However, the

same proposal may not be submitted under

more than one category. Applying to one

grant program does not preclude applying to

another. See Program Guidelines for specific

eligibility criteria. 
NATIONAL AWARDS FOR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE

14

Program Overview

The National Awards for Museum and 

Library Service honor outstanding institutions

that make significant and exceptional

contributions to their communities. Selected

institutions demonstrate extraordinary and

innovative approaches to public service,

exceeding the expected levels of community

outreach and core programs generally

associated with museum and library services. 

Qualifications and Criteria for Selection

The primary purpose of this award is to

recognize community service, as demonstrated

by the institution’s ongoing commitment, at

every level, to its community. Nominations

should describe

• The museum or library’s goal in serving its

community. 

• The population served. 

• How the community works together to

achieve the goal. 

• The outcome of this effort during the past

two to three years. 

• Projections for future efforts. 

Eligibility

Public or private not-for-profit institutions are

eligible to receive this award. Nominated

institutions must be open to the general

public for at least 120 days per year and must

be located in one of the 50 states, the District

of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto

Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin

Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern

Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall

Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or

the Republic of Palau. Federally operated

institutions are not eligible for this award.

The National Museum and Library Services

Board reviews the nominations and makes

recommendations to the IMLS director, who

makes the final selection. The application

form and submission instructions are available

on our Web site at www.imls.gov.

An institution that receives a National Award

for Museum and Library Service becomes

eligible for renomination only after 10 years

have elapsed.

Previous Recipients 

2005

• COSI Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

• Johnson County Library,

Overland Park, Kansas

• Levine Museum of the New South,

Charlotte, North Carolina

• Mathews Memorial Library, 

Mathews, Virginia

• Pratt Museum, Homer, Alaska

• Saint Paul Public Library, 

Saint Paul, Minnesota

2004 

• Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois 

• Flint Public Library, Flint, Michigan 

• Mayagüez Children’s Library, Inc.,

Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 

Deadline: February 15, 2007

Awards will be announced 

at a ceremony in Washington, DC

Award Amount: $10,000

Program Contact for Libraries: Michele Farrell, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4656

E-mail: mfarrell@imls.gov

Program Contact for Museums: Robert Trio, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4689

E-mail: rtrio@imls.gov
15

• Regional Academic Health Center Medical

Library of the University of Texas Health

Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 

• Western Folklife Center, Elko, Nevada 

• Zoological Society of San Diego, 

San Diego, California 

2003 

• Bozeman Public Library, Bozeman,

Montana 

• Carnegie Science Center, 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

• Free Library of Philadelphia, 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

• Pocahontas County Free Libraries,

Marlinton, West Virginia 

• San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, 

San Angelo, Texas 

• USS Constitution Museum, 

Boston, Massachusetts 

2002

• Boundary County District Library, 

Bonners Ferry, Idaho 

• Hartford Public Library, 

Hartford, Connecticut 

• Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, 

Loretto, Pennsylvania 

• Southwest Georgia Regional Public Library

System, Bainbridge, Georgia 

• Please Touch Museum, 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

• Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo, 

Bronx, New York 

2001 

• ARLIS—Alaska Resources Library and

Information Service, Anchorage, Alaska 

• Children’s Discovery Museum, 

San Jose, California 

• Hancock County Library System, 

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 

• Miami Museum of Science, Miami, Florida 

• New England Aquarium, 

Boston, Massachusetts 

• Providence Public Library, 

Providence, Rhode Island 

2000 

• Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York 

• Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological

Repository, Kodiak, Alaska 

• B. B. Comer Memorial Library, 

Sylacauga, Alabama 

• Queens Borough Public Library, 

Jamaica, New York 

• Simon Wiesenthal Center Library and

Archives, Los Angeles, California 

• Urie Elementary School Library, 

Lyman, Wyoming 

• Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia,

Beckley, West Virginia 

1999 

• Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois 

• Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, Nevada 

• St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum, 

St. Simons Island, Georgia 

1998 

• Belknap Mill Society, 

Laconia, New Hampshire 

• Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village,

Dearborn, Michigan 

• New Jersey Historical Society, 

Newark, New Jersey 

1997 

• Children’s Museum of Indianapolis,

Indianapolis, Indiana 

• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas 

• National Aquarium in Baltimore,

Baltimore, Maryland 

1996 

• Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC 

• Field Museum of Natural History, 

Chicago, Illinois 

• Natural Science Center of Greensboro,

Greensboro, North Carolina 

1995 

• Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 

Brooklyn, New York 

• Mexican Fine Arts Center, Chicago, Illinois 

• Montshire Museum of Science, 

Norwich, Vermont 

• Wing Luke Asian Museum, 

Seattle, Washington 

1994 

• Brukner Nature Center, Troy, Ohio 

• Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens,

Jacksonville, Florida 

• Missouri Historical Society, 

St. Louis, Missouri
FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES

16

Coming Up Taller awards recognize and

support outstanding community arts and

humanities programs that celebrate the

creativity of America’s young people by

providing them with learning opportunities

and chances to contribute to their

communities. These awards focus national

attention on exemplary programs currently

fostering the creative and intellectual

development of America’s children and youth

through education and practical experience

in the arts and the humanities. Accompanied

by a cash award, the Coming Up Taller

awards not only reward these projects with

recognition but also contribute significant

support to their continued work. 

This awards program is a project of the

President’s Committee on the Arts and the

Humanities in partnership with the Institute

of Museum and Library Services, the

National Endowment for the Arts, and the

National Endowment for the Humanities. 

It was started in 1998. 

Each year, ten awards of $10,000 each are

presented to Coming Up Taller honorees. 

In addition, a Certificate of Excellence is

given to all semifinalists. Museums and

libraries are encouraged to apply. For more

information, see www.cominguptaller.org. 

Save America’s Treasures makes critical

investments in the preservation of our

nation’s most significant and endangered

cultural treasures, which illustrate, interpret,

and embody the great events, ideas, and

persons that contribute to America’s history

and culture. This legacy includes the built

environment as well as documents, records,

artifacts, and artistic works. Collectively, 

Save America’s Treasures projects tell our

nation’s story and ensure that our legacy is

passed on to future generations. 

Administered by the National Park Service 

in collaboration with the President’s

Committee on the Arts and the Humanities,

Save America’s Treasures involves other

federal agency partners, including the

National Endowment for the Arts, the

National Endowment for the Humanities, 

and the Institute of Museum and Library

Services. The National Trust for Historic

Preservation has been the program’s 

principal private partner since its inception.

Museums and libraries are encouraged to

apply. For more information, see

www.saveamericastreasures.org. 
Library Opportunities
LAURA BUSH 21ST CENTURY LIBRARIAN PROGRAM

18

Deadline: December 15, 2006

Grant Amount: $50,000–$1,000,000

Grant Period: Up to three years, except Priority 2 proposals, which may be

up to four years

Matching Requirement: Fifty percent of total project costs;

funds requested for student support are not subject to

matching requirement

Program Contacts: Stephanie Clark, Senior Program Officer (Priorities 2, 4, 5)

Phone: 202/653-4662

E-mail: sclark@imls.gov

Elaina Norlin, Senior Program Officer (Priorities 1, 3, 6)

Phone: 202/653-4663

E-mail: enorlin@imls.gov

Karmen Bisher, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4664

E-mail: kbisher@imls.gov: kbisher@imls.gov

Program Overview

The program supports efforts to recruit and

educate the next generation of librarians and

the faculty who will prepare them for careers

in library science. It also supports grants for

research related to library education and

library staffing needs, curriculum

development, and continuing education and

training. Program priorities are as follows: 

Priority 1: Master’s Programs

• Educate the next generation of librarians.

In particular, increase the number of

students enrolled in nationally accredited

graduate library programs and preparing for

careers in libraries. 

Priority 2: Doctoral Programs

• Develop faculty to educate the next

generation of library professionals. In

particular, increase the number of students

enrolled in doctoral programs that will

prepare faculty to teach master’s students

who will work in school, public, and

academic libraries. 

• Develop the next generation of library

leaders. In particular, increase the number

of students enrolled in doctoral programs

that will prepare them to assume positions

as library managers and administrators. 

Priority 3: Preprofessional Programs

• Recruit future librarians. In particular,

attract promising junior high, high school,

and college students to consider careers in

librarianship through statewide or regional

pilot projects, employing recruitment

strategies that are cost-effective and

measurable. 

Priority 4: Research

• Support the early career development of

new faculty members who are likely to

become leaders in library and information

science by supporting innovative research

by untenured, tenure-track faculty. See

Program Guidelines for specific eligibility

criteria.

Beginning with the FY 2007

grant cycle, all applicants for

the Laura Bush 21st Century

Librarian program are required

to file their applications,

including all attachments,

online through Grants.gov.

Complete information and

instructions will be available in

the guidelines documents for

the specific program.
19

• Provide the library community with

information needed to support successful

recruitment and education of the next

generation of librarians. In particular,

through funded research, establish baseline

data on professional demographics and job

availability, and evaluate current programs

in library education for their capacity to

meet the identified needs. 

Priority 5: Programs to Build 

Institutional Capacity

• Develop or enhance curricula in graduate

schools of library and information science.

See Program Guidelines for additional

information.

Priority 6: Continuing Education and Training 

• Develop or enhance programs of continuing

education and training in library and

information science for librarians and

library staff. See Program Guidelines for

additional information.

Eligibility 

All types of libraries, except federal and forprofit libraries, may apply. Eligible libraries

include public, school, academic, special,

private (not-for-profit), archives, library

agencies, library consortia, and library

associations. In addition, research libraries

that give the public access to services and

materials suitable for scholarly research not

otherwise available to the public and that are

not part of a university or college are eligible.

Institutions of higher education, including

public and not-for-profit universities and

colleges, also are eligible. Graduate schools 

of library and information science may apply

as part of an institution of higher education.

See Program Guidelines for specific 

eligibility criteria. 

Special Conditions of Eligibility for

Institutions of Higher Education 

In addition to all eligible applicants listed

above, institutions of higher education as

noted under Priorities 1, 2, 4, and 5 are

eligible to apply with these special conditions: 

Priority 1: Master’s Programs 

• Graduate schools of library and information

science or school library media certification

programs are eligible to apply for funds to

educate students at the master’s level if

they apply in a partnership that includes

one or more eligible library entities. Any of

the eligible applicants in the partnership

may serve as the lead applicant. 

Priority 2: Doctoral Programs 

• All graduate schools of library and

information science offering programs of

study at the doctoral level are eligible to

apply for funding of doctoral-level

scholarships and fellowships, either

individually or in a partnership. 

Priority 4: Research

• For early career development projects, see

Program Guidelines.

• For all other research projects, all 

eligible library entities may apply, either

individually or in a partnership.

Priority 5: Programs to Build 

Institutional Capacity 

• All graduate schools of library and

information science are eligible to apply for

funding to build institutional capacity,

either individually or in a partnership. 
20

Program Overview

The Library Services and Technology Act

(LSTA), a section of the Museum and Library

Services Act of 2003, promotes access to

information resources provided by all types of

libraries. Through the legislation, the

Institute provides funds to state library

administrative agencies, using a base

allotment and a population-based formula.

State libraries may use the appropriation to

support statewide initiatives and services;

they also may distribute the funds through

subgrant competitions or cooperative

agreements to public, academic, research,

school, and special libraries in their state. 

Each state creates a five-year plan for its

programs to strengthen the efficiency, reach,

and effectiveness of library services. State

programs support the following LSTA goals:

• Expand services for learning and access to

information and educational resources in a

variety of formats, in all types of libraries,

for people of all ages. 

• Develop library services that provide all

users with access to information through

local, state, regional, national, and

international electronic networks. 

• Provide electronic and other links between

and among all types of libraries. 

• Develop public and private partnerships

with other agencies and community-based

organizations. 

• Target library services to help increase

access and ability to use information

resources for persons of diverse

geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic

backgrounds; persons with disabilities; and

persons with limited functional literacy or

information skills. 

• Target library and information services to

help increase access and ability to use

information resources for persons who 

have difficulty using a library and for

underserved urban and rural communities,

including children, from birth to age 17,

from families with incomes below the

poverty line (as defined by the Office of

Management and Budget). 

Eligibility 

Applicants for this grant program must be 

a state library administrative agency located

in one of the 50 states, the District of

Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin

Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern

Mariana Islands, the Republic of the

Marshall Islands, the Federated States of

Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau. For

information about funding opportunities at

the state level, contact the specific state

library administrative agency. State library

contact information can be found on our

Web site (www.imls.gov) or by calling our

State Grants program office.

Deadline: New Five-Year Plan due June 30, 2007

Grant Amount: Each state receives a minimum allotment set by Congress,

plus additional funds based on population

Program Contact: George V. Smith, Associate Deputy Director

Phone: 202/653-4650

E-mail: stateprograms@imls.gov

GRANTS TO STATES
21

NATIVE AMERICAN LIBRARY SERVICES:

BASIC GRANTS WITH EDUC ATION/ASSESSMENT OPTION

Program Overview

The Native American Library Services Basic

Grant is a noncompetitive grant that is

distributed in equal amounts among eligible

applicants. Basic Grants are available to

support existing library operations and to

maintain core library services. The Education/

Assessment Option is supplemental to the

Basic Grant. It is also noncompetitive and

must be requested. The purpose of the

Education/Assessment Option is to provide

funding for library staff to attend continuing

education courses and/or training workshops

on- or offsite; for library staff to attend or

give presentations at conferences related to

library services; and/or to hire a consultant

for an onsite professional library assessment. 

Eligibility 

Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages and

corporations are eligible to apply for funding

under this program. Entities such as libraries,

schools, tribal colleges, and departments of

education are not eligible applicants, although

they may be involved in the administration of

this program and their staff may serve as

project directors. 

For purposes of funding under this program,

“‘Indian tribe’ means any tribe, band, nation,

or other organized group or community,

including any Alaska Native village, regional

corporation, or village corporation (as defined

in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska

Native Claims Settlement Act [43 U.S.C.

Section 1601 et seq.]), that is recognized by

the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for 

the special programs and services provided

by the United States to Indians because of

their status as Indians” (definition taken

from the Library Services and Technology

Act). Eligible entities are listed on the

Bureau of Indian Affairs Web site

(www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html),

except for the recognized Alaskan native

villages, regional corporations, and village

corporations (Alaskan entities should refer to

applicable provisions in the Alaska Native

Claims Settlement Act, referenced above).

See Program Guidelines for specific 

eligibility criteria. 

Deadline: March 1, 2007

Grant Amount: Varies

Grant Period: One year

Program Contacts: Alison Freese, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4665

E-mail: afreese@imls.gov

Sharon McCoy, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4668

E-mail: smccoy@imls.gov
22

Program Overview

Enhancement grants support projects to

enhance existing library services or

implement new library services, particularly

projects to 

• Expand services for learning and access to

information and educational resources in a

variety of formats, in all types of libraries,

for persons of all ages. 

• Develop library services that provide all

users with access to information through

local, state, regional, national, and

international electronic networks. 

• Provide electronic and other links between

and among all types of libraries.

• Develop public and private partnerships

with other agencies and community-based

organizations. 

• Target library services to help increase

access and ability to use information

resources for persons of diverse

geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic

backgrounds; persons with disabilities; and

persons with limited functional literacy or

information skills. 

• Target library and information services to

help increase access and ability to use

information resources for persons who

have difficulty using a library and for

underserved urban and rural communities,

including children, from birth to age 17,

from families with incomes below the

poverty line (as defined by the Office of

Management and Budget). 

Eligibility 

See eligibility requirements for Native

American Library Services Basic Grants with

Education/Assessment Option. Indian tribes

and Alaska Native villages are eligible to

apply for an Enhancement Grant only if they

have applied for a Native American Library

Services Basic Grant in the same fiscal year. 

Refer to the Native American Library Services

Basic Grants with Educational/Assessment

Option section for definitions of the terms

“Indian tribe” and “Alaska Native village.”

See Program Guidelines for specific 

eligibility criteria.

Deadline: May 1, 2007

Grant Amount: Up to $150,000

Grant Period: Up to two years

Program Contacts: Alison Freese, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4665

E-mail: afreese@imls.gov

Sharon McCoy, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4668

E-mail: smccoy@imls.gov

NATIVE AMERICAN LIBRARY SERVICES:

ENHANCEMENT GRANTS
23

NATIVE HAWAIIAN LIBRARY SERVICES GRANTS

Program Overview

The Native Hawaiian Library Services

program provides new opportunities for

improved library services for an important

part of the nation’s community of library

users. Funds may be used to 

• Expand services for learning and access to

information and educational resources in a

variety of formats, in all types of libraries,

for people of all ages. 

• Develop library services that provide all

users with access to information through

local, state, regional, national, and

international electronic networks. 

• Provide electronic and other links between

and among all types of libraries. 

• Develop public and private partnerships

with other agencies and community-based

organizations. 

• Target library services to help increase

access and ability to use information

resources for persons of diverse

geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic

backgrounds; persons with disabilities; 

and persons with limited functional

literacy or information skills. 

• Target library and information services to

help increase access and ability to use

information resources for persons who

have difficulty using a library and for

underserved urban and rural communities,

including children, from birth to age 17,

from families with incomes below the

poverty line (as defined by the Office of

Management and Budget). 

Eligibility 

Native Hawaiian Library Services grants are

available to not-for-profit organizations that

primarily serve and represent Native

Hawaiians (as the term is defined in section

7207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act).

The term “Native Hawaiian” means a person

who is a citizen of the United States and a

descendant of the aboriginal people who,

before 1778, occupied and exercised

sovereignty in the area that is now the state

of Hawaii. See Program Guidelines for

specific eligibility criteria. 

Deadline: May 15, 2007

Grant Amount: Varies

Grant Period: One year

Program Contacts: Alison Freese, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4665

E-mail: afreese@imls.gov

Sharon McCoy, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4668

E-mail: smccoy@imls.gov

Museum 

Opportunities
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR MUSEUMS

26

General Eligibility

All types of museums, large and small, are

eligible for funding. Eligible museums

include aquariums, arboretums and botanical

gardens, art museums, youth museums,

general museums, historic houses and sites,

history museums, nature centers, natural

history and anthropology museums,

planetariums, science and technology

centers, specialized museums, and zoological

parks. Federally operated and for-profit

museums may not apply for funds from the

Institute. An eligible applicant must be:

• either a unit of state or local government

or a private not-for-profit organization that

has tax-exempt status under the Internal

Revenue Code;

• located in one of the 50 states, the

District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 

of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa,

the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of

the Northern Mariana Islands, the

Republic of the Marshall Islands, the

Federated States of Micronesia, or the

Republic of Palau; and

• a museum that, using a professional staff,

(1) is organized on a permanent basis for

essentially educational or aesthetic

purposes; (2) owns or uses tangible objects,

either animate or inanimate; (3) cares for

these objects; and (4) exhibits these

objects to the general public on a regular

basis through facilities which it owns or

operates.

An organization uses a professional staff if it

employs at least one professional staff

member, or the fulltime equivalent, whether

paid or unpaid, primarily engaged in the

acquisition, care, or exhibition to the public

of objects owned or used by the institution. 

An organization “exhibits objects to the

general public” if such exhibition is a primary

purpose of the institution. Further, an

organization that exhibits objects to the

general public for at least 120 days a year

shall be deemed to exhibit objects to the

general public on a regular basis. An

organization that exhibits objects by

appointment may meet the requirement to

exhibit objects to the general public on a

regular basis if it can establish, in light of the

facts under all the relevant circumstances,

that this method of exhibition does not

unreasonably restrict the accessibility of the

institution’s exhibits to the general public.

Please note that an organization which does

not have as a primary purpose the exhibition

of objects to the general public, but which

can demonstrate that it exhibits objects to 

the general public on a regular basis as a

significant, separate, distinct, and continuing

portion of its activities, and that it otherwise

meets the museum eligibility requirements,

may be determined to be eligible as a

museum under these guidelines. 

A museum located within a parent

organization that is a state or local

government or multipurpose non-profit entity,

such as a municipality, university, historical

society, foundation, or a cultural center, 

may apply on its own behalf, if the museum:

(1) is able to independently fulfill all the

eligibility requirements listed above; (2)

functions as a discrete unit within the parent

organization; (3) has its own fully segregated

and itemized operating budget; and (4) has

the authority to make the application on its

own. When any of the last three conditions

cannot be met, a museum may apply through

its parent organization. 
27

Prospective applicants that cannot fulfill all

of these requirements should contact the

Institute to discuss their eligibility before

applying. The Institute may require additional

supporting documentation from the applicant

to determine the museum’s autonomy. Each

eligible applicant within a single parent

organization should clearly delineate its own

programs and operations in the application

narrative. A parent organization that controls

multiple museums that are not autonomous

but are otherwise eligible may submit only

one application per grant program, which;

the application may be submitted by the

parent organization on behalf of one or more

of the eligible museums.

National Leadership Grants 

For eligibility information, see page 10. 

Partnership for a Nation of Learners

Community Collaboration Grants 

For eligibility information, see page 12. 

21st Century Museum Professionals 

For eligibility information, see page 29. 

Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum

Services Program 

For eligibility information, see page 33. 

Museum Grants for African American History

and Culture

For eligibility information, see page 35
28

Program Overview

Museums for America is the Institute’s

largest grant program for museums, providing

more than $17 million in grants to support

the role of museums in American society 

• to sustain cultural heritage;

• to support lifelong learning; and

• to be centers of community engagement.

Museums for America grants strengthen a

museum’s ability to serve the public more

effectively by supporting high-priority

activities that advance the institution’s

mission and strategic goals. 

In FY 2007, Museums for America funding

will support projects and activities, designed

by the institution, that strengthen museums

as active resources for lifelong learning and

key players in the establishment of livable

communities. Museums for America grants

are designed to be flexible. They can be used

for ongoing museum activities, research and

other behind-the-scenes activities, planning

activities, new programs or activities,

purchase of equipment or services, or other

activities that will support the efforts of

museums to upgrade and integrate new

technologies into their overall institutional

effectiveness. 

The Institute seeks to distribute funding 

for Museums for America grants across all

types and sizes of museums, as well as

among all funding categories. Applicants may

apply in one of three funding categories:

$5,000–$24,999, $25,000–$74,999, or

$75,000–$150,000. A 1:1 match is

required in each category. All applications

must demonstrate evidence of institutional

strategic planning and show the relationship

between the activities for which funding is

requested and the institution’s plan.

Although project activities may occur only

once, project goals should be investments for

the future, not one-time activities with no

long-term impact on the museum or its

community. 

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

Deadline: November 15, 2006

Grant Amount: $5,000–$150,000

Grant Period: Generally up to two years; three years with 

strong justification

Matching Requirement: 1:1

Program Contacts: Christine Henry, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4674

E-mail: chenry@imls.gov

Jennifer Headley, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4702

E-mail: jheadley@imls.gov

Robert Trio, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4689

E-mail: rtrio@imls.gov
29

21ST CENTURY MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS

Program Overview

Museums play a critical role in the education

of the public by preserving America’s rich

cultural heritage and helping to transmit it

from one generation to the next. Museum

professionals need high levels of knowledge

and expertise as they help create public value

for both local and national communities. This

program supports projects that address the

preparation of museum professionals for the

future by updating and expanding their

knowledge and skills. 

The 21st Century Museum Professionals

program supports a range of activities,

including professional training in all areas 

of museum operations and leadership

development. This program provides the

museum community with support for a

variety of training and personnel development

activities for museum staff members across

all types of museums, as well as the

collection and dissemination of information

to museum professionals and the public.

Project design could include direct

dissemination of information through

workshops, seminars, and courses, or indirect

communication through publications and

Web sites. Projects should benefit multiple

institutions or diverse constituencies. 

A successful proposal will have one or more

of the following characteristics: 

• Reflects an understanding of museum

service needs in the communities served

by the applicants and addresses issues

facing museums of similar size and type. 

• Collects, assesses, or develops information

that leads to better museum operations,

such as a needs assessment to plan an

association’s services to its members. 

• Delivers information on how to improve

staff practices in operating museums.

• Develops, documents, and disseminates

programs that address the interests of

small museums. 

Eligibility

Museums that fulfill the Eligibility Criteria 

for Museums (see page 26) may apply.

Private not-for-profit museum services

organizations or associations that engage in

activities designed to advance the well-being

of museums and the museum profession 

also may apply. In addition, institutions of

higher education, including public and

not-for-profit universities, are eligible. 

Please see Program Guidelines for specific

eligibility criteria.

Deadline: March 15, 2007

Grant Amount: $5,000–$500,000

Grant Period: Up to three years

Matching Requirement: 1:1

Program Contact: Christopher J. Reich, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4685

E-mail: creich@imls.gov

Twinet G. Kimbrough, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4703

E-mail: tkimbrough@imls.gov

Beginning with the FY 2007

grant cycle, all applicants 

for the 21st Century Museum

Professionals program are

required to file their applications,

including all attachments, online

through Grants.gov. Complete

information and instructions will

be available in the guidelines

documents for the specific

program.
30

Program Overview

The Conservation Project Support program

awards matching grants to help museums

identify conservation needs and priorities and

perform activities to ensure the safekeeping

of their collections. 

Conservation Project Support grants help

museums develop a logical, institution-wide

approach to caring for their living and

nonliving collections. Applicants should apply

for the project that meets the institution’s

highest conservation needs. All applications

must demonstrate that the primary goal of

the project is conservation care and not

collection management or maintenance. 

Collections may be in one of four categories:

(1) nonliving, (2) natural history, (3) living

plants, or (4) living animals. Grants are

available for five broad types of conservation

activities: (1) surveys (general, detailed

condition, or environmental); (2) training; 

(3) research; (4) treatment; and (5)

environmental improvements. An institution

may submit one application each fiscal year. 

Conservation Project Support also funds

exceptional projects with far-reaching effects

that benefit multiple institutions. Such

projects may cut across collections

categories. An institution may not apply for

an exceptional project grant that will benefit

only that museum. Exceptional project

awards will not exceed $250,000. 

Applicants may receive up to $10,000 in

addition to their project funding to develop

an education component that directly 

relates to their project. The Institute will

support activities including lectures, oral or

visual interpretation, videos, CD-ROMs,

publications, and workshops or other

methods that improve visitors’ knowledge

about preservation or conservation directly

relating to the institution’s project. These

funds may not be used for staff training or

general museum education. Requesting

funds for an education project will not be a

factor in the determination of which

conservation projects will receive funding. 

CONSERVATION PROJECT SUPPORT

Deadline: October 1, 2006

Grant Amount: Up to $150,000; up to $250,000 for exceptional projects;

up to $10,000 in additional funds for education component

Grant Period: Generally up to two years; three years with 

strong justification

Matching Requirement: 1:1 for total project request

Program Contacts: Steve Shwartzman, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4641

E-mail: sshwartzman@imls.gov

Mark Feitl, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4635

E-mail: mfeitl@imls.gov
31

CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

Program Overview

The Conservation Assessment Program (CAP)

is supported through a cooperative agreement

between the Institute of Museum and Library

Services and Heritage Preservation. The

program provides eligible museums with an

overall general conservation assessment.

Assessments are funded on a first-come,

first-served basis. Application materials can

be obtained by contacting Heritage

Preservation or by visiting its Web site

(www.heritagepreservation.org). 

The program supports a two-day site visit by a

conservation professional to perform the

assessment and up to three days to write the

report. For museums located in historic

structures, the grant supports a two-day site

visit by a preservation architect or an

architectural conservator, and up to three

days to write the report. As the preservation

needs of a historic structure and the

collections it contains often differ, this

collaboration is vital to the assessment’s

success. 

CAP also helps institutions with living animal

collections, such as zoos and aquariums, that

do not have an assessment of the animals’

physical conditions and habitats. Institutions

with fully surveyed living animal collections

(such as those accredited by the American

Zoological Association) may use the grant to

assess the conservation needs of their

nonliving collections only. Botanic gardens

and arboretums may use the grant to assess

the conservation needs of both their living

and nonliving collections. 

The general conservation assessment (unlike

a detailed collection survey) provides an

overview of all of the museum’s collections 

as well as its environmental conditions and

policies and procedures relating to collections

care. The assessment report assists the

institution by (1) providing recommendations

and priorities for conservation actions, both

immediate and long-term; (2) facilitating 

the development of long-range institutional

plans for the care and preservation of the

collections; and (3) serving as a fundraising

tool for future conservation projects. This

assessment may provide the basis for future

support through the Conservation Project

Support program.

Deadline: December 1, 2006

Assessment Period: One year

Heritage Preservation Contact: Kate Marks, Coordinator, CAP

1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 1200

Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202/233-0800

E-mail: kmarks@heritagepreservation.org
32

Program Overview

The Museum Assessment Program (MAP) is

supported through a cooperative agreement

between the Institute of Museum and Library

Services and the American Association of

Museums. It is designed to help museums

assess their strengths and weaknesses, and

plan for the future.

The program provides technical assistance

for four kinds of assessments: (1) collections

management; (2) governance; (3) institutional;

and (4) public dimension. Assessments are

funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Museums may apply for MAP assessments

in any sequence. Museums that received a

MAP assessment grant on or before

September 2000 may apply for a grant to

fund participation in that assessment a

second time. Application materials can be

obtained by contacting the American

Association of Museums or by visiting its

Web site at www.aam-us.org.

In all MAP assessments, members of the

museum staff and governing authority

complete a self-study and receive a site visit

by one or more museum professionals, who

tour the museum and meet with staff,

governing officials, and volunteers. The

surveyors work with the museum and MAP

staff to produce a report evaluating the

museum’s operations, making

recommendations, and suggesting resources.

Categories

• Collections Management Assessment

supports a review of collections use,

planning, and policies and procedures in

the context of overall museum operations.

• Governance Assessment supports an

examination of the roles, responsibilities,

and performance of governing authorities

and advisory boards. The assessment

improves the ability of the museum’s

governing authority to fulfill its

stewardship responsibilities and contribute

to the success of the organization.

• Institutional Assessment supports an

overview of the management and

operations of the entire museum and

helps the museum set priorities, prepare

for strategic planning, and operate more

efficiently, thereby improving its services

to the community and increasing its base

of support.

• Public Dimension Assessment supports

an evaluation of the way in which the

museum serves its community and

audiences through exhibits, programs, and

other services, and communicates with its

audience through public relations,

planning, and evaluation.

MUSEUM ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

Deadline: February 15, 2007

Assessment Period: Two years

AAM Contact: Jeffrey Buchheit, Assistant Director, MAP

American Association of Museums

1575 Eye Street, NW, Suite 400

Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202/289-9118

E-mail: map@aam-us.org
33

NATIVE AMERICAN/NATIVE HAWAIIAN 

MUSEUM SERVICES PROGRAM

Program Overview

The Native American/Native Hawaiian

Museum Services program enables Native

American tribes and organizations that

primarily serve Native Hawaiians to benefit

their communities and audiences through

strengthened museum services in the areas

of programming, professional development,

and enhancement of museum services. 

Grants are intended to support activities in

museums and museum-related organizations,

such as cultural centers. The program

supports services and activities in the

following areas: 

• Programming: Services and activities that

support the educational mission of

museums and museum-related

organizations. 

• Professional development: Education or

training that builds skills, knowledge, or

other professional capacity for persons who

provide or manage museum services

activities. These persons may be paid or

volunteer and may be involved with

museum services either currently or in the

future. 

• Enhancement of museum services:

Support for activities that enable and

improve museum services. 

Eligibility 

Eligible applicants are 

• Indian tribes, 

• Alaskan Native Villages and corporations,

and 

• organizations that primarily serve and

represent Native Hawaiians. 

For the purposes of funding under this

program, “The term ‘Indian tribe’ means any

tribe, band, nation, or other organized group

or community, including any Alaska native

village, regional corporation, or village

corporation (as defined in, or established

pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims

Settlement Act [43 U.S.C. Section 1601

et seq.]), that is recognized by the Secretary

of the Interior as eligible for the special

programs and services provided by the

United States to Indians because of their

status as Indians” (definition taken from the

Library Services and Technology Act). Eligible

entities are listed on the Bureau of Indian

Affairs Web site (www.doi.gov/bureau-indianaffairs.html), except for the recognized

Alaska Native villages, regional corporations,

and village corporations (Alaskan entities

should refer to applicable provisions in the

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act,

referenced above). 

Deadline: April 1, 2007

Grant Amount: $5,000–$50,000

Grant Period: Up to two years

Program Contacts: Sandra Narva, Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4634

E-mail: snarva@imls.gov

Mark Feitl, Program Specialist

Phone: 202/653-4635

E-mail: mfeitl@imls.gov
34

If a tribe has several bands, colonies,

rancherias, communities, or other

organizational entities listed in parentheses

following the tribe’s name on the Department

of Interior’s list of federally recognized tribes,

only one of those entities may receive a grant

in a fiscal year. For example, if a tribe has

four bands, only one band may apply for a

grant in a fiscal year. It is the responsibility

of the tribal chief executive to determine

which entity will apply for the grant. IMLS

will notify the affected tribes of any change

in this policy.

Under this program, “organizations that

primarily serve and represent Native

Hawaiians”—that is, any not-for-profit

organization that primarily serves and

represents Native Hawaiians, as the term is

defined in 20 U.S.C. Section 7517—are

also eligible for funding. The term “Native

Hawaiian” means any person who is a citizen

of the United States and a descendant of the

aboriginal people who, before 1778, occupied

and exercised sovereignty in the area that is

now the state of Hawaii, as evidenced by

genealogical records, Kapuna (elders) or

Kamaaina (long-term community residents)

verification, or certified birth records. 

Museums are not eligible to apply for this

grant program. However they may partner

with eligible applicants on projects. Entities

such as libraries, schools, tribal colleges, and

departments of education are not eligible

applicants, although they may be involved in

the administration of this program and their

staff may serve as project directors, in

partnership with an eligible applicant. See

Program Guidelines for specific eligibility

criteria.

NATIVE AMERICAN/NATIVE HAWAIIAN 

MUSEUM SERVICES PROGRAM
35

Program Overview

The National Museum of African American

History and Culture Act of 2003 authorizes

IMLS, in consultation with the Council and

Director of the National Museum of African

American History and Culture, to create a

new grant program to strengthen African

American museum services. 

At the time of publication of this brochure,

guidelines, applications, and eligibility

information for the Museum Grants for

African American History and Culture

program were not finalized. Check our Web

site (www.imls.gov) or contact the Program

Contacts above for information and updates.

Deadline: January 15, 2007

Grant Amount: TBD

Grant Period: TBD

Program Contacts: Christopher J. Reich, 

Senior Program Officer

Phone: 202/653-4685

E-mail: creich@imls.gov

Twinet G. Kimbrough, 

Program Specialist 

Phone: 202/653-4703 

E-mail: tkimbrough@imls.gov

MUSEUM GRANTS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN 

HISTORY AND CULTURE

Agency Information
IMLS STAFF DIRECTORY

38

Office of the Director

202/653-4676

Anne-Imelda M. Radice

Director

Mary L. Chute

Deputy Director for Libraries

Schroeder Cherry

Ed.D., Deputy Director for Museums

Elizabeth Lyons

Special Assistant to the Director

Office of Strategic Partnerships

202/653-4692

Marsha Semmel

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Abigail Swetz

Program Specialist

Administration

202/653-4737

Teresa M. LaHaie

Director of Administration and Budget

Earl Davis

Administrative Officer

Wallace Cruz

Contracts Specialist

Linda DiAndrea

Grants Administrator

Laura M. Mahoney

Senior Grants Administration Specialist

Juanita Jones

Grants Administration Specialist

General Counsel

202/653-4787

Nancy E. Weiss

General Counsel

Mae Patten

Paralegal

Public and Legislative Affairs

202/653-4757

Mamie Bittner

Director of Public and Legislative Affairs

Kevin O’Connell

Congressional Affairs Officer

Eileen Maxwell

Public Affairs Officer

Ellen Arnold

Visual Information Specialist

Research and Technology

202/653-4767

Rebecca Danvers

Ph.D., Director of Research and Technology

and Chief Information Officer

Karen Motylewski

Evaluation Officer

Barbara Smith

E-Projects Officer

Mary Downs

Ph.D., Research Officer

Hong Phan

Systems Administrator

Human Resources

202/653-4727

Harry Baldauf

Human Resources Officer

Lynn Booker

Human Resources Specialist

Office of Library Services

202/653-4700

Mary L. Chute

Deputy Director for Libraries

Joyce Ray

Ph.D., Associate Deputy Director for Library

Services
39

George Smith

Ph.D., Associate Deputy Director, State

Programs

Donald Delauter

CGMP, Special Assistant to the Deputy

Director

Josie Shell-Brown

Secretary

State Library Programs 

202/653-4678

Laurie Brooks

Senior Program Officer Terri Brown

Senior Program Officer

Robin Cabot

Senior Program Officer

Michele Farrell

Senior Program Officer

Lisa George

Program Specialist

Linda Gray-Broughton

Program Specialist

Library Services 

202/653-4700

Stephanie Clark

Senior Program Officer

Martha Crawley

Ph.D., Senior Program Officer

Alison Freese

Ph.D., Senior Program Officer

Susan L. Malbin

Ph.D., Senior Program Officer

Elaina Norlin

Senior Program Officer

Karmen Bisher

Program Specialist

Janet M. Ciciarelli

Program Specialist

Sharon McCoy

Program Specialist

Karen Thomas

Program Specialist

Office of Museum Services 

202/653-4789

Schroeder Cherry

Ed.D., Deputy Director for Museums

Mary Estelle Kennelly

Associate Deputy Director for Museum

Services

Christine Henry

Senior Program Officer

Dan Lukash

Senior Program Officer

Sandra Narva

Senior Program Officer

Christopher J. Reich

Senior Program Officer

Steve Shwartzman

Senior Program Officer

Mark M. Feitl

Program Specialist

Jennifer Headley

Program Specialist

Twinet G. Kimbrough

Program Specialist

Robert Trio

Program Specialist

Reagan Furrow

Program Assistant

Michelle Mickey

Program Assistant

Aarin Packard

Program Assistant

David Murray

Special Administrative Assistant

Robin Greer

Secretary
NATIONAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES BOARD

40

The National Museum and Library Services

Board was established by the Museum and

Library Services Act of 2003 within the

Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The board provides policy advice to the

director of the Institute with respect to the

duties, powers, and authority of the Institute

relating to the support and enhancement of

museum and library services throughout the

nation. Board members represent the

museum and library communities and the

general public and, through their collective

representation, contribute specific expertise

and broad knowledge of both the museum

and library fields. 

The board consists of 24 members and is

chaired by the director of the Institute. The

president, by and with the advice and

consent of the Senate, appoints 20 members

to the board. The appointed members are

citizens of the United States who are

specifically qualified in the areas of museum

and library services by virtue of their

education, training, or experience, or by their

commitment to museums and libraries. The

director and two deputy directors of the

Institute, along with the chairperson of the

National Commission on Libraries and

Information Science, serve as nonvoting

members on the board. 

Chairperson

Anne-Imelda M. Radice

Director, Institute of Museum and Library

Services

Appointed Members

Beverly E. Allen

Georgia

John E. Buchanan Jr.

California

Gail M. Daly

Texas

Nancy S. Dwight

New Hampshire

A. Wilson Greene

Virginia

Maria Mercedes Guillemard

Puerto Rico

Peter D. Hero

California

Donald S. Leslie

Wisconsin

Terry L. Maple

Florida

Amy Owen

Utah

Sandra J. Pickett

Texas

Judith Ann Rapanos

Michigan

Edwin J. Rigaud

Ohio

Harry Robinson Jr.

Texas

Margaret Webster Scarlett

Wyoming

Katina P. Strauch

South Carolina

Renee Becker Swartz

New Jersey

Kim W. Wang

California

Nonvoting Members

Mary L. Chute

Deputy Director, Institute of Museum and

Library Services

Schroeder Cherry

Deputy Director, Institute of Museum and

Library Services

C. Beth Fitzsimmons

Chairperson, National Commission on

Libraries and Information Science
Institute of Museum and Library Services

1800 M Street, NW

9th Floor

Washington, DC 20036-5802

Phone: 202/653-IMLS (4657)

IMLS E-mail

imlsinfo@imls.gov

IMLS Web Site

www.imls.gov

IMLS TTY

(for hearing-impaired persons)

Phone: 202/653-4699

IMLS will provide visually impaired or learning-disabled persons with an audio recording of this

publication or any other grant publication upon request.

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