Why a Bookshelf?

The IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf is intended to provide small and medium-sized libraries and museums with essential resources needed to improve the condition of their collections.

What does The Bookshelf contain?

The Bookshelf focuses on collections typically found in art or history museums and in libraries' special collections, with an added selection of texts for zoos, aquaria, public gardens, and nature centers. The Bookshelf contents were selected based on recommendations of a panel of experts convened in cooperation with Heritage Preservation. The Bookshelf includes books and DVDs, as well as a guide to online resources and an annotated bibliography of all the materials. It addresses such topics as the philosophy and ethics of collecting, collections management and planning, emergency preparedness, and culturally specific conservation issues. Such texts as The National Trust Manual of Housekeeping (published by the British National Trust in 2005), the Field Guide to Emergency Response (published by Heritage Preservation in 2006), and Essentials of Conservation Biology (published by Primack in 2006) are among the recent publications included in the Bookshelf.

Who will get the Bookshelf?

The Bookshelf will be distributed free of charge to 2,000 institutions. Under a cooperative agreement, AASLH is purchasing, promoting, and distributing the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf. Recipients will include attendees at Connecting to Collections events as well as institutions that apply for the bookshelf using a simple electronic process.

How do I apply?

First, choose the third Click Here link on the right. This link will provide you with the questions asked on the application. There are several essay questions with a limit of 250 to 500 words each. When you are ready to complete the application, choose the appropriate Click Here button on the right. After you complete the first page of information, the Submit button will take you to the second page of the application with the 12 questions. After completing the questions, review your answers and make any necessary changes. Then click on the Complete Your Response button when you are finished.

There are two application periods:

September 1 through November 15, 2007 and March 1 through April 15, 2008

Priority will be given to smaller institutions, but large museums and large libraries with special collections are also eligible to apply. Please note that federally operated institutions, for-profit institutions, and libraries that do not hold special collections are not eligible to receive the Bookshelf.

Since the Institute for Museum and Library Services is a Federal agency, all applicants will need an institutional DUNS number to apply (all recipients of Federal funds are required to have this number). The instructions for obtaining this number can be found at http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grantsgov/duns.shtm.

How can I help spread the word?

If you are a member of a library or museum association and would like your members to receive information about the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf at conferences, by email, or by regular mail, contact Terry Jackson at AASLH, 615-320-3203 or email jackson@aaslh.org.