Institute of Museum and Library Services

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is closed due to a partial shutdown of the United States Government. As a result, IMLS is not engaged in grant-making or other agency activities. During this time, we will not be able to review or respond to any form of communication. No payments for discretionary grant programs will be made by IMLS until the agency is reopened. Any additional information will be posted on our website.

Today we honor the lives lost in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the courage demonstrated by our first responders. We will never forget. Photo: Courtesy of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Family members commemorate their loved ones at the 9/11 Memorial on the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) has revealed that public libraries served over 155 million registered users in 2023. That’s nearly half of all Americans living within a library service area. The data is clear - public libraries remain one of the most trusted and utilized institutions in American life. With over 800 million visits, millions of programs offered, and a steady rise in both physical and digital circulation, libraries are meeting the evolving needs of communities across the country.  As the leading source of federal library funding, we are proud to help libraries deliver opportunity, education, and access to all.   View the full PLS at https://lnkd.in/eRgTnYPE    #LibraryLove #Libraries #PublicLibraries 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is proud to be a Charter Sponsor of the 2025 National Book Festival, a free celebration of literature taking place on September 6th, 2025.    Those attending the festival in Washington, DC can visit us at the Roadmap to Reading in Hall DE (Level 2, North Building).    If you can’t make it to the festival, certain events will be livestreamed on Library of Congress’s website.    Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ehSWK565    #NatBookFest 

We just released the latest data from our Public Libraries Survey (PLS)! Each year since 1988, the PLS has provided a national census of America’s public libraries. The data are collected from approximately 9,000 public library systems comprised of over 17,000 individual main libraries, library branches, and bookmobiles in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. View the full report at https://lnkd.in/eRgTnYPE #LibraryLove #Libraries #PublicLibraries

The Presidential AI Challenge is here! IMLS is excited to support a nationwide call for K–12 students, educators, and mentors to develop AI-powered solutions to real-world problems in their communities. This is your chance to make an impact and showcase your innovation on a national stage! Museums, libraries, and other organizations and individuals can help spread the word and organize teams. Visit https://lnkd.in/evp_TZYf to learn how!

IMLS is proudly working with State Library Agencies to support the nationwide Summer Reading Challenge launched by Second Lady Usha Vance! This exciting initiative encourages students in kindergarten through 8th grade to read at least 12 books over the summer to keep their minds active and growing. 🌞📖 ✅ To join the challenge: 1. Download the Summer Reading Challenge Tracker 2. Read 12 books by September 5 3. Email your completed tracker to read@mail.whitehouse.gov Successful readers will receive: 🏅 A personalized certificate 🎁 A small prize ✈️ Entry into a raffle for a chance to visit Washington, D.C. Let’s keep young minds engaged all summer long—visit https://lnkd.in/g28wSuBZ to learn more! #SummerReadingChallenge #ReadWithUs #2ndLadySummerReads #LibrariesLead

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has announced that 158 Native American Library Services Basic Grant awards will be made for $1,720,828 to support 174 Federally Recognized Tribes. The Native American Library Services Basic grants are noncompetitive, one-year grants of $6,000 to $10,000, available to federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages, corporations, and regional corporations. These grants are designed to assist AI/AN tribal nations in improving library services for their communities. “We are proud to present these 158 awards, which highlight the exceptional contributions of tribal libraries in advancing education, workforce development, and heritage preservation," said Acting Director Keith Sonderling. “These investments reflect American ideals of self-determination and empower communities to educate future generations, uphold traditions, and strengthen our nation’s foundation.” Some examples of what grant funds may be used for are: ✴️ The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa (Michigan) will improve services for learning and accessing information. Through the acquisition of materials and the development of services, the grant will support education, workforce development, economic and business development, digital literacy skills, and financial literacy. ✴️The Campo Band of Mission (California) will support the local economy and job creation by hiring local Tribal members to teach history and language classes at the Campo Indian Library. Funds will also support the acquisition of a Library Management System and training for library staff to improve the delivery of services, ensuring that students and the local community can access the resources they need. ✴️The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe (Arizona) will provide salary support and training opportunities for the Tribal Librarian and Library Assistant. Funds will enable the staff to continue providing educational opportunities, including Parent-Baby-Toddler Time, student support services, and digital skills training. Additionally, professional development will allow library staff to improve existing services and ensure the local community receives vital library resources. In addition to these newly awarded grants, IMLS has also reinstated all Native American Library Services Basic Grants from prior years. View this announcement online: https://lnkd.in/eaNQ3zc2 Photos: Courtesy of Nooksack Indian Tribe

Following the attacks of September 11th, making art helped children to express complex thoughts and feelings. Drawing Meaning, a new exhibition at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, examines how young artists from around the world used their work to heal themselves and others. Drawing Meaning can be seen in its entirety in the Museum’s South Tower Gallery, many of the works can also be viewed at https://lnkd.in/eHGb2Z57. IMLS is proud to support Drawing Meaning through the Museums for America grant program. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eJuxwRCx. #IMLSgrant

The City of Victoria TX Public Library is preparing to unveil their new offsite pick-up locker, funded in-part by an #IMLSgrant. These lockers enable patrons to pick up or return library materials 24/7, making the #library more accessible to community members who are unable to visit during standard business hours. Learn more about this project ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eSHKtSZV Explore IMLS projects across #Texas ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eYMW8mjm #LibraryLove