FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated November 9, 2005

Press Contacts
IMLS: Eileen Maxwell 202-653-4632, emaxwell@imls.gov
J. Paul Getty Trust: Kenneth Hamma 310-440-7186, Khamma@getty.edu
OCLC: Bob Murphy 614-761-5136, murphyb@oclc.org

IMLS makes award to OCLC, Getty Trust to plan and co-host Web-Wise conferences

Web-Wise 2006 in Los Angeles will focus on 'Inspiring Discovery: Unlocking Collections' in February

DUBLIN, Ohio—The Institute of Museum and Library Services has made a $399,197 award to OCLC Online Computer Library Center, in conjunction with the J. Paul Getty Trust, to plan and co-host the 2006 and 2007 Web-Wise Conferences on Libraries and Museums in the Digital World.

Web-Wise is a signature initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Each year it brings together representatives and thought leaders from museums, libraries, archives, systems science, and other fields interested in the future of high-quality online content for inquiry and education. The focus of each annual conference is on sharing the latest research and newest innovations in digital technology, exploring their potential impacts on library and museum services, and on promoting effective museum and library collaborations in the digital environment. The conference also provides IMLS grant recipients the opportunity to showcase exemplary projects.

The 2006 Web-Wise Conference will be held February 16-17 in Los Angeles, California. The conference theme is “Inspiring Discovery: Unlocking Collections.” Sessions will explore current and emerging practices for information discovery as well as promising innovations that could revolutionize the ways in which information seekers find digital content. Projects featuring museum and library resources, and the paths to their discovery, will be featured in plenary sessions and demonstrations.

Half-day workshops requiring separate registration will be offered on February 15. Online registration for both the main conference and the pre-conference workshops will be available in early December through the IMLS Web site.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
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 nation's 17,500 museums and 122,000 libraries. 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.

About the J. Paul Getty Trust
The J. Paul Getty Trust is an international cultural and philanthropic organization serving both general audiences and specialized professionals. Educational in purpose and character, the Getty focuses on the visual arts in all of their dimensions through its programs, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Research Institute, the Conservation Institute and the Foundation. The Getty is online at www.getty.edu.

About OCLC
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, OCLC Online Computer Library Center is a nonprofit organization that has provided computer-based cataloging, reference, resource sharing and preservation services to 54,000 libraries in 96 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.oclc.org.

OCLC is a trademark of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
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