FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2007

Press Contacts
202-653-4628
Kevin O'Connell, koconnell@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

President's Budget Requests $271,246,000 for Institute
of Museum and Library Services

Washington, DC--The President's budget requests $271,246,000 for fiscal year 2008 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The request, which was delivered to Congress today, represents an increase of $24,102,000, or 9.8 percent, over the FY 2006 enacted level. IMLS, like most federal agencies, is operating under a continuing resolution (CR) that maintains FY 06 levels and expires on February 15. A year-long CR for FY 2007 is currently under consideration in the Senate.

"With this budget request, President Bush is continuing his strong support of museums and libraries,” said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of IMLS. “The Administration understands the essential role these institutions play in connecting people to information and ideas. IMLS is ready to take on its expanded policy and research role.”

Highlights of the President’s FY 2008 IMLS budget request include the following:

• 214,432,000 for library grant programs, an increase of $10,914,000 from the FY 06 appropriation for the same purposes. This includes an increase of $7.8 million for the Grants to States program, bringing it to $171,500,000. This amount will enable the full implementation of a law passed in 2003 to provide a more equitable distribution of state formula grants. The request also includes $26,500,000 for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.
• $39,897,000 for museum grants, an increase of just over $8 million from the FY 06 appropriation for the same purposes. The request includes $3.8 million for Conservation Project support, $22.2 million for Museums for America, $2.1 million for 21st Century Museum Professionals, and $1.35 million for Museum Grants for African American History and Culture.
• $4 million to conduct research and statistics programs called for in the 2003 reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act. The law instructs the Director of IMLS to carry out and publish analyses of the impact of museum and library services. In addition in FY 2008, the Administration proposes to entrust the Institute with new responsibilities for core library data collection activities and a strengthened policy advisory role. IMLS will also pilot the collection of statistical data from the nation’s museums.

A detailed table of President Bush’s budget request (PDF, 35KB) for IMLS with recent budget history accompanies this release. See also the 1998-2004 Appropriations Table (PDF, 35KB).

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 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: www.imls.gov.