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March 2016 

Brianna Austin_ a librarian with the Denver Public Library_ works with participants during an in-library migrant education activity sponsored by Project SPELL.
MARCH PROJECT PROFILE
 

Since October 2014, Project SPELL has advocated the importance of early literacy in low-income families through unique prototypes set up by eight state libraries. Through these different prototypes, Project SPELL has begun to break down barriers and build new reading traditions in populations throughout Colorado. Read More


THE LATEST NEWS
2013 Public Libraries Survey Shows Libraries Responding to Changing 21st Century Needs

Research by IMLS found shifts in Americans' interaction with public libraries' materials, programs, and services in Fiscal Year 2013. Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2013 reveals key indicators of investments and library usage at public libraries in the United States. Read more


Fourth Digging into Data Challenge Launches with Expanded International Funding and Opportunities

IMLS and 15 national funding agencies from 11 countries on three continents announced the fourth round of the  Digging into Data Challenge .  Since 2009, the Digging into Data grant competition has provided nearly $12 million in funding for international research projects that use "big data" sources and methodologies to address questions in the social sciences and humanities.  Read more


IMLS and the FAIC Announce New Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) Program

The Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) announced a new program to provide museums with collections conservation assessments. The new program will continue to support collections assessments for small and medium-sized museums throughout the nation.  Read more


Libraries and Museums Serving Free Summer Meals

You are invited to learn about the USDA's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides free, nutritious meals to kids and teens 18-years-old and younger in low-income communities during summer break.  The program depends on community organizations, like libraries and museums, to serve the meals in a safe, convenient, and fun environment.  Is your institution interested in getting involved?  Find out more during the free webinar on Wednesday, April 13, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Read more


IMLS Has Moved

Our new address is 955 L'Enfant Plaza North, SW, Suite 4000, Washington, D.C.  20024-2135.

 
 


UPNEXT BLOG POSTS

New Voices and Fresh Perspectives: One Institution's Work to Harvest Social Media

Social media platforms have become a venue where serious discourse takes place, but much of this critical and ephemeral content is lost to researchers because few institutions are collecting and preserving it. Tools have surfaced that enable cultural heritage institutions to harvest and preserve the social media record at a much lower cost than was previously possible.  Read more

The Benefits of Hanging Out with Homeschoolers

Three years ago The Children's Museum in Bloomsbury, Pennsylvania, committed to the goal of enhancing the impact of our programs. One aspect of this goal was to identify underserved populations in our area and develop programs that would benefit these groups.
When I First Fell in Love with Books - An Ode to National Reading Awareness Month

During my infancy my father "taught" me how to read by placing my tiny body on the daily newspaper. As early as back then, he hoped that I would learn and appreciate the words through osmosis. All of my dad's efforts were rewarded when I first learned my letters and memorized the rudimentary spelling lists I would receive in class, all while family members' beaming faces egged me on. Read more

Giving STEM the Home Team Advantage
In sports, it's generally accepted that the home team has an advantage.  So, in a city defined by its love of both sports and educational opportunities, the obvious play is to give Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) the "home team" advantage by providing hands-on learning opportunities at home. Read more

Bridges to Citizenship: New Training Brings Librarians and Adult Educators Together

Bridges to Citizenship Institutes bring together adult educators, librarians, and USCIS staff for two days to explore ways to work independently and collaboratively to enhance and expand adult citizenship education services within their communities. USCIS will offer a Bridges to Citizenship In stitute, May 18-19, in New York City. Read more

Vermont Libraries Kick Off Early Literacy - STEM Programming

The Vermont Department of Libraries kicked off the Vermont Early Literacy Initiative- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (VELI-STEM) program at a recent press conference at the Vermont State House. The press conference, headed by Governor Peter Shumlin and State Librarian Martha Reid, included the display of the  new VELI-STEM logo .  Read more

Framework to Support Learning in Museum and Library Makerspaces Workshop

Makerspaces and maker programs in museums and libraries continue to build on momentum created by targeted efforts of federal, philanthropic, and private support. IMLS, in cooperation with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, is wrapping up its project to create a framework to support learning in museum and library makerspaces. Read more


IMLS ON THE ROAD

Arts and Cultural Grants Workshop sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: Connie Bodner, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist, Office of Museum Services; Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, March 31

"Digital Preservation of Federal Information Summit," Coalition for Networked Information: Ammie Farraj Feijoo, Deputy Director of Digital and Information Strategy; San Antonio, TX, April 3-4

CNI Spring 2016 Membership Meeting of the Coalition for Networked Information: Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew, Director; Ammie Farraj Feijoo, Deputy Director of Digital and Information Strategy; Maura Marx, Deputy Director for Library Services; San Antonio, TX, April 4-5

2016 Public Library Association Annual Conference: Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew, Director; Maura Marx, Deputy Director for Library Services; Robin Dale, Associate Deputy Director for Library Services; Mary Alice Ball, Senior Program Officer; Tim Carrigan, Senior Program Officer; Teri DeVoe, Senior Program Officer; Michele Farrell, Senior Program Officer; Timothy Owens, Senior Program Officer; Sarah Fuller, Program Officer; Jill Connors-Joyner, Museum Program Specialist;  Katie Murray, Staff Assistant; Denver, CO, April 5-9

Texas Association of Museums Annual Conference: Mark Isaksen, Senior Program Officer, Office of Museum Services, Corpus Christi, TX, April 6-8

MW2106 (Museums and the Web 2016): Ammie Farraj Feijoo, Deputy Director of Digital and Information Strategy; Sandra Narva, Senior Program Officer, Office of Museum Services; Los Angeles, CA, April 6-9

American Educational Research Association 2016 Annual Meeting: Sandy Toro, Senior Library Program Officer; Washington, DC, April 8-12

Council on Foundations: Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew, Director; Washington, DC, April 11-13

"DPLAFest" of the Digital Public Library of America: Ammie Farraj Feijoo, Deputy Director of Digital and Information Strategy; Maura Marx, Deputy Director for Library Services; Trevor Owens, Senior Library Program Officer; Washington, DC, April 14-15

NARST 2016 Annual International Conference: Sandy Toro, Senior Library Program Officer; Baltimore, MD, April 14-17

LSTA Coordinators (Grants to States) Conference: Ammie Farraj Feijoo, Deputy Director of Digital and Information Strategy; Robin Dale, Associate Deputy Director for Library Services;  Matt Birnbaum, Senior Evaluation Officer; Teri DeVoe, Senior Program Officer; Michele Farrell, Senior Program Officer; Timothy Owens, Senior Program Officer; Louisville, KY, April 18-20

 "Federal Funding for Archival Big Data Curation," Finding New Knowledge: Archival Records in the Age of Big Data Symposium: Trevor Owens, Senior Library Program Officer; College Park, MD, April 26-28
 

 
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive.

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