The primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums, IMLS is an independent agency that works at the national level, and in coordination with state and local organizations, to identify where there are funding needs, then reports that data to Congressional appropriations committees, facilitates the applicants’ grant pursuit process, and dispenses grants. In addition, IMLS, also in tandem with learning and arts centers around the country, strives to keep the public connected with an ever-expanding variety of educational tools and experiences, and to help preserve and protect collections of books, artwork, and other cultural artifacts.
IMLS was created with the enactment in September 1996 of the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA), which consolidated federal support for libraries and museums. Previously, library support was administered by the U.S. Department of Education, and museum support by the Institute of Museum Services. In 2003, the MLSA was reauthorized, and most IMLS activities as a result are now approved through 2009 by Chapter 72 of Title 20 (20 USC CHAPTER 72) of the U.S. Code, which is the statute that resulted from the combination of the 1996 law and the 2003 reauthorization. Other pieces of legislation that also affect IMLS’s programs and policies include the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act and the E-Government Act.
- Provides the predominant source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums.
- Performs an annual analysis to identify the most urgent upcoming needs for museum and library services, then informs the Congressional appropriations committees, helps interested parties through the grant application process, and awards grants.
- Advises the President and Congress on relevant library and museum issues.
- Connects the public to free and low-cost informal learning opportunities and experiences at libraries and museums as well as historic houses, nature centers and botanical gardens.
- Stays abreast of the most current applicable technology, and latest learning research findings, and utilizes the information whenever it’s feasible and beneficial.
- Works to engage America’s youth, ages 9 to 19, in programs that will spark their imagination and help them become, and stay, competitive with others their age around the world.
- Recruits and educates the next generation of librarians. Aims to revitalize the role of literature in American pop culture.
- Focuses on how to address using libraries and museums to improve science literacy.
- Creates partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and educators to help libraries and museums reach more families, schools, and neighborhoods.
- Provides outreach services to individuals in underserved urban and rural communities, lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and with disabilities, or limited skills to access material or experiences without assistance.
- Works to assure that books, artwork, and historical artifacts are preserved and protected from decay as well as natural disasters.
From the Website of IMLS
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Founded: 1996
Annual Budget: $263.5 million
Employees: 65
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Institute of Museum and Library Services
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Radice, Anne-Imelda
Previous Director
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Ann-Imelda Radice, who was appointed by President Bush in 2006 to a four-year term as director of the IMLS, received a BA in Art History from Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts, in 1969; an MA from the Villa Schifanoia in Florence, Italy, in 1971; an MBA from American University in 1985; and a Ph.D.in Art and Architectural History from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1976. Radice began her career in arts administration at the National Gallery of Art, as Assistant Curator and Staff Lecturer. Then she worked in the Office of the Architect of the U.S. Capitol, first as Architectural Historian, then as Curator. After that she was the first Director of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, then Chief of the Creative Arts Division of the United States Information Agency. Next she became Senior Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and in 1992 President H. W. Bush appointed her to serve as the Acting Chairman of NEA. Confirmed by the Senate on March 13, Radice immediately stirred controversy when, following the dictates of President Bush, she refused funding of two already approved grants that she deemed too sexually explicit. Soon, various peer review panels that recommended grants resigned in protest. When Bush was defeated in the 1992 presidential election, Radice left government and consulted for New River Media, World Affairs Television Production in Montreal and Washington From 1998 to 2001 she was Executive Director of the Friends of Dresden, Inc. From 2001 to 2003 she was Executive Director of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation in New York City. Beginning in 2003 Radice rejoined the government as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the United States Department of Education, Roderick Paige. After two years in this post, Radice moved on to become Acting Assistant Chairman for Programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities. Radice is also an author of publications on art and architecture, including the book, The Original Library of Congress: the history (1800-1814) of the Library of Congress in the United States Capitol. She contributed to the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004.
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