2020

National Museum of the American Latino Act of 2020

In December 2020, Congress passed and President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which includes a subsection authorizing the creation of the National Museum of the American Latino. Download legislation (PDF, 125KB)

In addition to providing authority to a create a new Smithsonian museum for American Latino History and Culture, this Act provides new authority for the Director of IMLS to establish the following programs, in consultation with the Board of Trustees and Director of the National Museum of the American Latino:

  • A grant program with the purpose of improving operations, care of collections, culturally appropriate public outreach, and development of professional management at American Latino museums;

  • A grant program with the purpose of providing internship and fellowship opportunities at American Latino museums;

  • A scholarship program—in partnership with Hispanic-serving institutions, minority-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other institutions of higher education, with the purpose of assisting individuals who are pursuing careers or carrying out studies in the arts, humanities, and sciences in the study of American Latino life, art, history, and culture;

  • A grant program in cooperation with other museums, historical societies, and educational institutions, with the purpose of promoting the understanding of the Latin American diaspora in the United States; and;

  • A grant program under which an American Latino museum (including a nonprofit education organization, the primary mission of which is to promote the study of the Latin American diaspora in the United States) may use funds provided under the grant to increase an endowment fund established by the museum (or organization) as of October 1, 2020, for the purposes of enhancing educational programming and maintaining and operating traveling educational exhibits.

2018

Museum and Library Services Act of 2018

On December 31, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018 (PL 115-410). The new law reauthorizes the existing programs and functions of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and provides new authority, including to develop and support new museum, library, and information professionals.
Public Law 115-410 (PDF, 211 KB)
2018 Museum and Library Services Act as Amended (PDF, 131 KB)

2010

Museum and Library Services Act of 2010

On December 22, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010 (PL 111-340). The new law reauthorizes the existing programs of the Institute of Museum and Library Services with some important changes. The updated language calls on IMLS to take an active role in research and data collection and to advise the President and Congress on museum, library, and information services. This Act also clearly recognizes how libraries and museums contribute to a competitive workforce and engaged citizenry. New language focuses on the development of essential 21st century skills.
Public Law 111-340 (PDF, 151 KB)
2010 Museum and Library Services Act as Amended (PDF, 79 KB)

2003

Museum and Library Services Act of 2003

On September 25, 2003, President Bush signed into law the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-81). Recognizing the effectiveness of the new agency, this legislation reauthorized federal appropriations for IMLS. But the framers of the 2003 law also sought to capitalize on lessons learned since 1996 by amending the initial MLSA in several ways. Download legislation (PDF, 64 KB)

National Museum of African American History and Culture Act of 2003

In December 2003, Congress passed and President Bush signed the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act. Download legislation (PDF, 40 KB).

In addition to providing authority to create a new Smithsonian museum for African American History and Culture, the Act provides new authority for the Director of IMLS to establish the following programs, in consultation with the Council and Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture:

  • A grant program with the purpose of improving operations, care of collections, and development of professional management at African American museums;

  • A grant program with the purpose of providing internship and fellowship opportunities at African American museums;

  • A scholarship program with the purpose of assisting individuals who are pursuing careers or carrying out studies in the arts, humanities, and sciences in the study of African American life, art, history, and culture; and

  • In cooperation with other museums, historical societies, and educational institutions, a grant program with the purpose of promoting the understanding of modern day practices of slavery throughout the world; and

  • A grant program under which an African-American museum (including a nonprofit education organization the primary mission of which is to promote the study of African American diaspora) may use the funds provided under the grant to increase an endowment fund established by the museum (or organization) as of May 1, 2003, for the purposes of enhancing educational programming; and maintaining and operating traveling educational exhibits.

2002

E-Government Act of 2002

The purpose of the E-Government Act of 2002 is to enhance the management and promotion of electronic government services and processes, thereby improving citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. One of the law's provisions instructed the Director of IMLS to work with the Secretary of Education, the newly created Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government, other relevant agencies, and the public to develop an online tutorial that explains how to access government information and services on the Internet; and provides a guide to available online resources. Download legislation (PDF, 222 KB)

1996

Museum and Library Services Act of 1996

The Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 1996 established the Institute of Museum and Library Services within the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities. The new agency combined the Institute of Museum Services, which had been in existence since 1976, and the Library Programs Office, which had been part of the Department of Education since 1956. It authorized federal funding for IMLS through FY 2002. IMLS would comprise the Office of Library Services (OLS) and the Office of Museum Services (OMS). Download legislation (PDF, 122 KB)