April 17, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Kevin O'Connell, koconnell@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications in the Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums grant program, with a deadline of June 15, 2012.

The following members of the ULC, ASTC, and IMLS staff are available by phone and e-mail to discuss general issues relating to these grants:

Amy Eshleman
Program Leader for Education
Urban Libraries Council (ULC)
312-676-0958

aeshleman@urbanlibraries.org

Margaret Glass
Program Manager, Professional Development
Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)
202-783-7200 x129
mglass@astc.org

Allison Boals
Program Specialist
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
202-653-4702
aboals@imls.gov

Web Conferencing with Program Staff
We also invite you to participate in one of two pre-application Web conferences to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants. The Web conference schedule for the FY13 Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums program is as follows:

Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 12 noon PT/3 pm ET-1 pm PT/4 pm ET
Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at 11 am PT/2 pm ET-12 noon PT/3 pm ET

The ULC/ASTC team will also offer "office hours" to pose final questions closer to the application deadline. The "office hour" schedule for the FY13 Grants for Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums program is as follows:

Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 11 am PT/2 pm ET-12 noon PT/3 pm ET
Monday, June 11, 2012 at 11 am PT/2 pm ET-12 noon PT/3 pm ET

Click here for more information about this funding opportunity, including program guidelines, contacts, and Webinar access information.

Use the IMLS grants search tool to view our archive of grants awarded by the Institute. Search grants by grant name, institution, or project type.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, we help communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage, and lifelong learning. To learn more about IMLS, please visit www.imls.gov.

About the MacArthur Foundation's Digital Media and Learning Initiative
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's digital media and learning initiative aims to determine how digital media are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize, and participate in civic life. The goal is to build a base of evidence about how young people learn today, in an effort to re-imagine learning in the 21st century. More information is available at www.macfound.org/tags/education.

About the Urban Libraries Council
Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is a membership organization made up of North America's premier public library systems and the corporations supporting them. While ULC's members primarily represent urban and suburban settings, the work done by ULC is widely used by all libraries including those in rural settings. ULC strategically addresses issues important to all communities including education, workforce and economic development, public safety, environmental sustainability, health, and wellness. ULC's members are thought leaders dedicated to the continuous evolution and strengthening of libraries to meet changing community needs. As ULC celebrates its forty-year anniversary, its work focuses on helping library leaders develop and utilize skills and strategies that match the challenges of the 21st century. Learn more at www.urbanlibraries.org.

About the Association of Science-Technology Centers
ASTC is a global nonprofit organization of science centers and museums committed to raising public understanding of science’s role in solving critical societal issues, and its value in igniting and nurturing the innovative spirit that people of all ages need for success in today’s world. Through strategic alliances and global partnerships, ASTC strives to increase awareness of the valuable contributions its science center members make to their communities and the field of informal science learning. Founded in 1973, ASTC has over 600 members in 45 countries, and its members include not only science centers and museums, but also nature centers, aquariums, planetariums, zoos, botanical gardens, and natural history and children’s museums, as well as companies, consultants, and other organizations that share an interest in informal science education. Additional information about ASTC is available at www.astc.org.

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