FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2007

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202-653-4632
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

IMLS Director Anne Radice Applauds $75,000 Incentive from NH Business Leader to Increase Membership at Local Museums and Libraries

Michael York, Anne Radice, and Robert Finlay. Click image for a high resolution version.

Manchester, NH—On August 6, 2007, highlighting her first visit to the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, applauded business executive and philanthropist Robert Finlay, a SNHU alumnus and trustee, who will donate a first-ever prize totaling $75,000 to the three New Hampshire libraries and museums—$25,000 each—that generate the most new members over the next 12 months.

Acknowledging the tremendous power of private philanthropy in the cultural life of the nation, Dr. Radice recognized Mr. Finlay’s gift while addressing a large group of University faculty and administrators including President Paul LeBlanc, State Librarian Michael York, and many librarians and museum directors and curators from across the state.

She challenged libraries and museums to be building blocks for education and for citizenry, and urged them to remain connected and relevant to communities’ needs by offering programs that innovate, engage and inspire a lifelong love of learning. She described several of the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ national initiatives that encourage partnership, use of technology and caring for special collections.

She noted that Mr. Finlay is providing the prize money “because he believes in innovation and incentives and $75,000 is a great incentive. All of us in the profession should, and will, learn from the innovations that museum directors and librarians in New Hampshire use to attract new people to their facilities.” See Dr. Radice’s full remarks here.

Dr. Radice added: “Rob Finlay is a person of great talent, heart, and unflagging advocacy on behalf of children, education, and the disadvantaged whom I would like to kidnap and spirit back to Washington if I could.” See Finlay’s bio here.

Concerned that “we live in a time when civic and cultural literacy are in decline,” Dr. Radice argued that “it is essential we remain true to our core missions as educators, custodians, and stewards of our nation's heritage. It is equally important that we remain connected and relevant to our communities' needs by offering programs that innovate, engage, and inspire a life-long love of learning.”

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.