March 4, 2014

IMLS Press Contact
202-653-4799
Giuliana Bullard gbullard@imls.gov

202-653-4630
Mamie Bittner mbittner@imls.gov

RELEASE UPDATED 3/7/14: RELEASE UPDATED TO INCLUDE LINK TO THE IMLS FY 2015 APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST (CONGRESSIONAL JUSTIFICATION).  

President’s FY 2015 Budget Request Includes $226,448,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Washington, DC—Today the President released his FY 2015 Budget Request to the U.S. Congress. The budget includes $226,448,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). With these funds, IMLS will provide leadership for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums in all fifty states and U.S. territories through grant making, policy development, and research. The Congressional Justification, which contains detailed information on the Budget Request, is now available at http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/AssetManager/FY15_CJ.pdf on the IMLS website. 

 “I am proud of the contributions that IMLS makes to the American people,” said IMLS Director Susan H. Hildreth.” I firmly believe that there is a federal responsibility to ensure all Americans have access to the best programming and services that our libraries and museums can provide. During fiscal year 2015, IMLS will help advance a range of museum and library services, with a special focus on STEM learning, early learning, and expanding access to federal information through libraries.”  

IMLS grant programs support library services in every state and territory through a population-based formula grant. The agency also administers competitive grant programs for libraries and museums that engage hundreds of library, museum, education, and technology professionals in a rigorous peer review process to identify well-designed projects. IMLS supports projects that strengthen library and museum services for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians, as well as projects that strengthen African American museums.

A presidentially appointed board, the National Museum and Library Services Board, advises the director on policy development and on the selection of recipients of the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Services that is awarded annually to five museums and five libraries that are making exceptional contributions to their communities.

IMLS supports all types of libraries, including public, academic, school, tribal, and research; and all types of museums, including botanic gardens, aquariums, and zoos, as well as art, history, science, children’s, and tribal museums.

IMLS will focus funding on its strategic goals that include the following:

Learning: Placing the learner at the center by supporting engaging learning experiences that prepare people to be full participants in their local communities and our global society

Community: Promoting libraries and museums as strong community anchors that enhance civic engagement, cultural opportunities, and economic vitality

Content: Supporting exemplary stewardship of museum and library collections and promoting the use of technology to facilitate discovery of knowledge and cultural heritage

Special Focus

Within the requested amount and within existing programs, IMLS will focus on three strategic areas in the FY 2015 budget: science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning; early childhood learning; and expanding access to federal information through libraries.

Museums, Libraries and STEM Learning

Libraries and museums are crucial to building skills through STEM learning for children and young adults. Libraries and museums are community technology hubs where out-of-school STEM learning efforts include development of “maker spaces,” where teens and adults can creatively apply STEM concepts to create their own inventions; hosting community science fairs, and STEM-focused exhibits and public programs. In FY 2015 we will continue our funding priority for projects that develop new programming models to teach STEM skills to at-risk youth.

Museums, Libraries, and Early Learning

Libraries and museums are fundamental to early childhood learning. IMLS has long supported the testing, development, and delivery of quality, impactful programming for young children as well as their caregivers, parents, and child care workers. In FY 2015 we will incorporate libraries and museums into comprehensive early learning strategies at the national, state, and local levels.

Civic Literacy Network

Millions of citizens use local libraries to access a wide variety of government services and many federal agencies turn to libraries as part of their information distribution networks. However, this effort is currently a patchwork of portals and outreach strategies that are difficult for library staff to navigate. In FY 2015, IMLS will work with other federal agencies to help them reach the public through libraries.

IMLS Budget Table:  http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/News/FY14_Budget_Table.pdf

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 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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