The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can be viewed on the agency's Web site at http://www.imls.gov/news/2010/092810b.shtm. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2010

Press Contacts
202-653-4630
Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask] 


IMLS Calls for Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Applications

Application Deadline: December 15, 2010

Washington, DC-The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) invites proposals from libraries; archives; and library agencies, associations, and consortia for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) grant program.

Categories of funding for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program are as follows: 

■Doctoral programs in library and information science 

■Master's programs in library and information science 

■Research to provide the library and archives community with information needed to support successful recruitment and education, to establish and support ongoing research capacity in library and information science, and to support the early career development of new faculty members in library and information science through innovative research by untenured, tenure-track faculty

■Pre-professional programs to interest future professionals in library and information science as a career 

■Programs to build institutional capacity in graduate schools of library and information science by developing or enhancing programs 

■Continuing education for library and archives staff 

The grant period for these projects is up to three years, except for doctoral program projects, which may be up to four years.

Within these categories, applicants may also decide to apply for a one-year planning grant. Planning grants are awarded at two levels:

■Level I Collaborative Planning Grants support activities required to fully develop ideas for an LB21 grant project among project partners and result in such products as plans, prototypes, or proofs of concept that could lead to a single, subsequent LB21 grant proposal. 

■Level II Collaborative Planning Grants support workshops, symposia, or other convenings of experts with the purpose of fostering discussion and consideration of nationally important issues to libraries, archives, and/or museums.  Meetings and their associated white papers should catalyze new directions for partnerships and provide information and inspiration for multiple LB21 grant proposals.

Responding to the ongoing changes in the information professions, IMLS has awarded more than $160 million in grants to fund the education of 3,483 master's degree students, 178 doctoral students, 3,143 pre-professional students, and 30,466 continuing education students since LB21's inception in 2003. These grants have helped build the skills and abilities of the people who maintain the nation's information infrastructure at the grassroots level: librarians, archivists, and school library media specialists. 

Webinars with Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grants Staff 

Learn more about the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program at one of IMLS's upcoming webinars. Program staff will talk about the purpose of the grants and the grant application process and answer participants' questions during two upcoming webinars. The webinar schedule is as follows:

■October 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time 
Webinar link: http://instmus.acrobat.com/lb21call1/ 

■October 28, 2010 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time 
Webinar link: http://instmus.acrobat.com/lb21call2/ 

Duration: 1 Hour

Conference call number: 1-888-850-4523; Participant Passcode: 761243

Please test your computer's compatibility with Adobe Connect Pro by visiting the following link: http://my.adobe.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm.  We recommend you do this well before the conference begins. 

Participants may begin logging in to the webinar up to 10 minutes prior to the conference start time. We recommend you log in to the webinar before calling the conference call line. If you do not have a computer available to you, you may participate solely through the conference call line. 

Application guidelines and instructions are available here: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/21centuryLibrarian.shtm. Please direct any questions about the program to Kevin Cherry, senior program officer, 202-653-4662, [log in to unmask]; Mary Alice Ball, senior program officer, 202-653-4730, [log in to unmask]; or Karmen Bisher, program specialist, 202-653-4664, [log in to unmask] 
 
  
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.