December 9, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the University of Denver, and the Denver Art Museum announce open registration for the 2010 WebWise Conference on Libraries and Museums in the Digital World. Each year, approximately 350 representatives of museums, libraries, archives, information and systems science, and other fields interested in the future of high-quality online content for inquiry and education attend the free conference. The 2010 WebWise conference will be co-hosted by the Denver Art Museum, the University of Denver, and BCR, March 3-5, 2010, in Denver, Colorado. To register online, please visit www.bcr.org/webwise2010/.

Guided by the theme "Imagining the Digital Future," the 2010 WebWise conference will focus on the future of collaborative digitization programs, the use of new technologies to more deeply engage audiences, and the training of a 21st century cultural heritage information workforce. Conference sessions on March 4 -5 will spotlight new tools and services to enhance the discovery and access to digital content and funding opportunities for digital media projects by federal agencies and foundations. In addition, demonstrations will highlight successful digital projects and programs in libraries, museums, and cultural heritage organizations funded through IMLS’s National Leadership Grants. Pre-conference workshops, requiring separate registration, will be offered on March 3, including:

  • "The Spark and the Fire: Connecting Digital Content Creators and Educators to Develop Engaging Learning Spaces", 9:00-4:00, lunch provided
  • "Digital Repository Management Uncovered", 1:30-5:00, lunch not provided

The main conference will begin at the Denver Art Museum the evening of March 3 with a conversation featuring Howard Besser, Professor of Cinema Studies and Director of New York University’s Moving Image Archiving and Preservation Program, and Susan Chun, museum technology consultant. Denver media personality Ed Sardella will moderate this interactive session followed by a reception.

On March 5, Chris Batt, digital futures strategist and former chief executive of the UK’s Museums, Libraries, and Archives Council, will make closing remarks on the future of technology for cultural heritage institutions.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur and the Morgridge Family Foundations are providing support for this year's conference.

There is no registration fee to attend the conference or pre-conference workshops, but early registration is essential as space is limited. If you have questions, please contact Matt Burdetsky, Capital Meeting Planning, Inc. at 703/536-4993 or matt@cmpinc.net.

For webcast of last year’s WebWise conference, please go to http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/webwise/080306/.

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. 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.

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