Director's Farewell Message
Dr. Robert S. Martin completed his four-year term as Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on July 12, 2005. The following is his farewell message to the museum and library community:

“I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve at IMLS during a time of extraordinary support for libraries in both the administration and in Congress. I am very grateful for the support that we have received from the library and museum community as a whole. And of course everything we do here at IMLS is carried out through the fine staff that I have had the privilege to work with.

“Fundamental in the success of our work at IMLS, of course, has been the splendid example that so many library and museum professionals have provided by simply doing the outstanding work that they do in serving their communities, demonstrating undeniably the value of libraries and museums, and the resources and services that they provide.

“So please allow me to thank you for the good work that you do. Without professionals like you, our work at IMLS would be fruitless.”

Dr. Martin was nominated by the President of the United States to be Director of IMLS in June 2001; the U.S. Senate subsequently confirmed his nomination unanimously. During his tenure, IMLS has awarded 4,704 grants totaling more than $899 million to America’s museums and libraries. Dr. Martin will return to work at the Denton campus of Texas Woman’s University on September 1, 2006, where he has been named the Lillian Bradshaw Endowed Chair in Library Science. For more on Dr. Martin’s tenure as Director of IMLS, please see http://www.imls.gov/news/2005/071305.htm.

A Closer Look
Whitman Speaks to a New Generation: With exhibitions, lectures, and readings commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first publication of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass (July 4, 1855), Whitman-mania is sweeping the country. Now, for the first time, a free online digital archive allows side-by-side viewing of his original manuscripts held in 30 different institutions across the country, offering new insights into the poet's creative process. View handwritten drafts of Whitman's works and listen to the only known recording of the poet's voice on the IMLS-supported Walt Whitman Archive at http://www.imls.gov/closer/hlt_c0705.htm.

IMLS Presents Grants Workshop with U.S. Representative McCarthy
At the invitation of U.S. Representative Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), IMLS presented a workshop on July 11, 2005, to help museums and libraries in Nassau County learn about government funding opportunities. More than 50 museum and library professionals from Nassau County attended the workshop at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. See the full press release at http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/071405.htm.

Over $21 Million to Recruit New Librarians
IMLS announced $21,087,684 in grants to 37 universities, libraries, and library organizations across the country today to recruit and educate a new generation of librarians. Read more at http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/062805a.htm.

Over $1.3 Million to Improve Library Service for Native Americans
IMLS awarded Native American tribes across the country $1,361,000 in grants to improve library services. In all, 229 grants will strengthen library service for 237 Native American tribal communities and Alaska Native villages. For details, see http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/062805b.htm.

Congressman Regula and IMLS Host Grants Workshop in Canton, Ohio
U.S. Representative Ralph Regula (OH-16) and Dr. Robert Martin, Director of IMLS, hosted a workshop July 7, 2005, at the National First Ladies' Library in Canton, Ohio. The workshop focused primarily on IMLS' Librarians for the 21st Century grant program, designed to recruit new librarians and help offset a looming national shortage. For more information, see http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/071205a.htm.

Mark your Calendars! 2005 National Book Festival: September 24
The 2005 National Book Festival organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by First Lady Laura Bush, will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2005, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 7th and 14th Streets, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine). The festival is free and open to the public. As in previous years, IMLS will sponsor the popular Pavilion of the States, highlighting reading programs and literary events from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. trusts and territories. Mark you calendars! See http://www.loc.gov/bookfest for details.

U.S. Cultural Heritage Tourism Summit October 6-8, Washington, DC
The U.S. Cultural Heritage Tourism Summit will take place October 6-8 in Washington, DC. The conference is presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce/Tourism Industries and the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. For more information see http://uscht.com.

Museum Data Collection Report
A report commissioned by IMLS to assess the status of data collection activities in the museum community is available on the IMLS Web site. The Museum Data Collection Report and Analysis reinforces recommendations made by a similar 1998 study noting that little has been done to address the need for systematic data collection necessary to inform public policy and museum management decision-making. The report recommends improvements in data collection, including regular and systematic collection, standardization of definitions, and sharing of results among museum professionals and others. On a positive note, the report points out that many studies are available on the Internet and that the Web has enormous potential for enabling the museum community to collaborate in gathering and sharing data. A PDF (1202KB) of the report is available on the IMLS Web site at http://www.imls.gov/pubs/pdf/Museum_Data_Collection.pdf.

"Funding: Individual Giving, Public Funding, Corporate Sponsors, and Foundation Support," Plenary Session, Schroeder Cherry, Ed.D., Deputy Director, IMLS, sponsored by the Association of African American Museums, Washington, DC, 7/29.

“Museums for America Grants,” Christine Henry (representative), IMLS Senior Program Officer for Museums, sponsored by the Association of African American Museums Annual Conference, Washington, DC, 7/27-29.

"IMLS Funding Opportunities," Schroeder Cherry, Ed.D., Deputy Director, IMLS, and Sandra Narva, IMLS Senior Program Officer, Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services, sponsored by the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Annual Conference, Lac du Flambeau, WI, 8/10.

"Crossroads: Where Libraries, Archives and Museums Intersect," Joyce Ray, PhD, IMLS Associate Deputy Director for Libraries, presenter, sponsored by Catholic University of America Summer Institute on Art Libraries and Museums, Washington, DC, 8/13.

World Library and Information Congress, Mary L. Chute, IMLS Acting Director, and Michele Farrell, IMLS Senior Program Officer, Office of Library Services State Program, represent IMLS at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions 71st General Conference and Council, Oslo, Norway, 8/14-18.

"Federal Funding for Projects in Archives" (panel program), Susan L. Malbin, PhD (panelist), Senior Program Officer, IMLS Office of Libraries, sponsored by the Society of American Archivists Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, 8/18.

Site Visit, Robin Cabot, IMLS Senior Program Officer, IMLS Office of Library Services State Program, State Library of Iowa, Des Moines, IA, 8/23-24.

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