FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2011

IMLS Press Contact
202-653-4632
Natasha Marstiller, [log in to unmask]
Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask]

Submit Your Ideas on IMLS's Strategic Plan

Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) wants your ideas on how it can carry out its statutory responsibility “to support museum, library, and information services to meet the information, education, research, economic, cultural, and civic needs of the people of the United States.”

We are currently working on a five year strategic plan. The plan is required by the Government Performance and Results Act and the Administration has asked agencies to focus on three performance improvement strategies:

• Using performance information to lead, learn, and improve outcomes;
• Communicating performance coherently and concisely for better results and transparency; and
• Strengthening problem-solving networks, inside and outside government, to improve outcomes and performance management practices.

Your input is needed to help us examine all our grant programs, research, and leadership initiatives to assure that we continue to meet the evolving needs of the American public.

Through discussions with the National Museum and Library Services Board, IMLS stakeholders, and the public, we have developed five strategic questions to help envision future services. Using a social media tool called IdeaScale, we are inviting the public to suggest answers to these questions, read the comments others have provided and vote on the ideas that have the greatest merit. The comment period will continue until Friday, August 12. http://imls.ideascale.com

Please share this message with your networks so that together we will shape the future of IMLS.

Five Strategic Questions

How can IMLS leverage its resources, position, reputation and relationships to...

• Promote effective public access to physical and digital content?
• Promote policy that sustains information access for the American public?
• Support lifelong learning for a competitive workforce and engaged public?
• Promote museums and libraries as community anchor institutions?
• Achieve excellence in public management?

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 http://www.imls.gov.