Community

When IMLS was created in 1996, lawmakers cited “great potential in an Institute that is focused on the combined roles that libraries and museums play in our community life.”

Libraries and museums build the civic strength of their communities and provide opportunities for public engagement. Museums and libraries are community anchors that drive economic and community development. IMLS supports several flagship initiatives focused on this essential role.

Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst calls upon libraries and museums—anchor institutions within their communities—to engage in proactive, creative and adaptive collaborations in support of community development and revitalization. This process seeks to encourage libraries and museums to look broadly for partners to achieve greater impact and reach in to their communities, partners such as local governments and service providers, educational institutions, local businesses, and philanthropic investors.

Community Salute

Community Salute is an initiative designed to augment the capabilities of libraries and museums to meet the unique and critical needs of the nation’s more than 22 million veterans and their military families. Community-based libraries and museums can play an important role to help service members who struggle with a rough re-entry and can offer programs tailored for veterans, such as building skills, offering healing resources for military families, or providing safe, accessible spaces to access educational, employment, or training opportunities.