The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release with
graphics can be read on the agency's Web site at
http://www.imls.gov/news/2010/071610.shtm  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2010

Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, [log in to unmask] 
Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask] 

Guidelines Announced for American Heritage Preservation Grants

Washington, DC--The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and
the Bank of America Charitable Foundation are pleased to announce the
2011 guidelines for the American Heritage Preservation Program. This
public-private partnership will fund the preservation of endangered and
fragile art works, rare books, scientific specimens, and historical
documents (photographs, maps, deeds, etc.) held in small and
medium-sized museums, archives, and libraries.

The grants of up to $3,000 are aimed at completing stand-alone
conservation projects that convey the essential character and experience
of the United States. To access application guidelines instructions,
please visit www.imls.gov/collections/grants/ahpg.htm.  Examples of
fundable projects are provided in the grant guidelines. 

The partnership builds on IMLS's Connecting to Collections: A Call to
Action, a multi-year, multi-pronged initiative to raise public awareness
and inspire action on the care of America's collections. The initiative
implements recommendations of an IMLS-supported study, A Public Trust at
Risk: The Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America's
Collections, which found that nearly 190 million objects in U.S.
collections are in immediate danger of deterioration and need
restoration or conservation.

For questions about museum projects, please contact Christine Henry,
senior program officer, at 202-653-4674. For questions about library or
archival projects, please contact Kevin Cherry, senior program officer,
at 202-653-4662.

The deadline for application is September 15, 2010.

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.

Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation
gave more than $200 million in 2007, making the bank the most generous
financial institution in the world and the second largest donor of all
U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America approaches
giving through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence"
under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most
pressing needs of individual communities. For more information about
Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit
www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.