FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2005

Press Contact: Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask], 202-653-4630

FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Increases Funding for Institute of Museum
and Library Services

Includes New Funding for African American Museum Program

Washington, DC--President Bush recently signed the Labor, Health and
Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
which provides fiscal year 2006 appropriations for the Institute of
Museum and Library Services. The Act gives IMLS programs and
administration $247,144,000(1), a 2.7 percent increase over FY 2005. The
Institute's grants and leadership activities help to create and sustain
a nation of learners, building the capacity of libraries and museums to
serve their communities. 

The Institute's library programs will receive $210,597,000, an increase
of $4,646,000 or 2.3 percent. Library programs at IMLS include Grants to
States, National Leadership Grants, the Laura Bush 21st Century
Librarian program, and Native American/Native Hawaiian Library Services
grants. These programs enhance libraries' ability to serve the public by
supporting advances in technology, professional development, community
outreach and access, and the development and dissemination of best
practices. Libraries of all types --public, school, academic, archival,
research-- are eligible for IMLS library programs.

Museum programs will receive $36,547,000, an increase of $1,823,000 or
5.2 percent. This includes $842,000 for the launch of the African
American History and Culture program. Authorized by the National Museum
of African American History and Culture Act and intended to strengthen
African American museum services, this new program will award its first
grants in 2006. 

Other museum programs funded by the FY06 appropriations act include
Museums for America, National Leadership Grants, 21st Century Museum
Professionals, Conservation Project Support, Native American/Native
Hawaiian Museum Services, Museum Assessment Program, and Conservation
Assessment Program. As with its library programs, the Institute's museum
programs focus on the creation of public value. Museums receive
assistance for a variety of activities, all aimed at sustaining cultural
heritage, supporting life-long learning, and providing service to their
communities. 

A detailed table of the IMLS FY05 and FY06 appropriations is available
at http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/010606a.htm. 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal
grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of
learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. The
Institute fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by
supporting the 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries in America. The
Institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit
of libraries and museums. To learn more about the Institute, please
visit http://www.imls.gov.

(1)Totals cited in this release reflect estimated appropriations after
the application of the one percent rescission enacted in the Defense
Appropriations Act.