3rd party forward -----Original Message----- From: Eileen Maxwell [mailto:emaxw...@imls.gov] Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 5:33 PM To: Eileen Maxwell Subject: Institute of Museum and Library Services Announces Youth Initiative: Museums and Libraries Engaging America's Youth
The following is a press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. An HTML version of this press release can be read on the Institute's Web site at: http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/110805.htm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2005 Press Contacts 202-653-4632 Eileen Maxwell, emaxw...@imls.gov Mamie Bittner, mbitt...@imls.gov Museums and Libraries: Engaging America's Youth Washington, DC -- Calling museums and libraries "essential to helping America's youth succeed in school and in life," Mary L. Chute, Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services launched a new initiative at the sixth meeting of the National and Library Services Board. Special guests Robert Flores, Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Karen Pittman, Executive Director of the Forum for Youth Investment, underscored the importance of creating communities where children have opportunities to learn and belong. The Experts Youth development experts and public policy makers increasingly recognize the importance of community institutions in formal learning as well as the informal learning that can take place after and out of school. Mr. Flores invited museums and libraries to work with one another while highlighting the recently-released "Community Guide to Helping America's Youth" (www.helpingamericasyouth.gov). The guide helps communities assess their needs and resources, build partnerships, and find program designs that can be replicated. It identifies the steps involved for building strong support for youth. "An environment in which books and learning are important to our youth will foster excitement and a brighter outlook for tomorrow," said Flores. "All community systems must operate at optimal levels to support youth. Museums and libraries can be the impetus our young people need to make positive life choices." Ms. Pittman noted that "young people don't grow up in programs but in families and communities." She pointed out that young people spend only about one-third of their time in schools and talked about the importance of filling out of school time productively. It is important that all community settings take what is known about young people and how they develop and apply it to their work. She shared the Forum for Youth Investment's Core Assumptions about Youth, which summarizes key research to inform communities about what they need to ensure that all children and youth achieve their full potential (www.forumforyouthinvestment.org). She asked, "How can libraries and museums create community settings that are more supportive of youth?" The Role of Museums and Libraries Libraries and museums that make serving youth central to their mission can help young people acquire twenty-first century skills like increasing global awareness, building information literacy and increasing self-reliance. They can help young people learn about and express cultural traditions and connect to history, art, culture and science both online and in their communities. Libraries and museums can provide opportunities for civic engagement that involve family, schools and community partners. Libraries and museums that engage young people also benefit; youth bring vitality and help cultural institutions stay relevant and build lasting community relationships. By working with young people both in and out of school, libraries and museums can make a difference in the lives of America's youth and in the quality of community life. The Initiative In the coming year the Institute will place a spotlight on the role of Museums and Libraries Engaging America's Youth. This initiative will build upon past support in this area, which has included research, convenings, publications, and over $240 million in grants over the past six years. The initiative will focus primarily on young people aged 9 - 19. It will examine what works, share best practices, encourage more effective programming, and build bridges among libraries, museums, and public policy makers. During the next year the Institute will analyze its past grant-making, develop case studies to explore best practices, provide monthly updates with project profiles, resources and tips on its web site, and encourage the development of new models through its National Leadership Grant program. Next fall the Institute will convene a national conference and publish the results of its analyses and case studies. The Institute invites other federal agencies and a wide range of non-governmental organizations representing public policy and youth development to become partners and highlight how libraries and museums can help connect young people to information and ideas, support families and schools, and stimulate learning for life. Resources, links, and updates on the Institute's Museums and Libraries Engaging America's Youth Initiative are available at http://www.imls.gov/youth. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. The Institute fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries in America. The Institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit of libraries and museums. To learn more about the Institute, please visit http://www.imls.gov. Eileen Maxwell Public Affairs Officer Institute of Museum and Library Services 1800 M Street, NW 9th Floor Washington, DC 20036-5802 202-653-4632 202-653-4600(fax) emaxw...@imls.gov Subscribe to Primary Source, the Institute's monthly e-mail newsletter, for important museum and library news: http://www.imls.gov/utility/subscribe.htm. The information contained in this electronic mail message (including any attachments) is confidential information that may be covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC Sections 2510-2521, intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above, and may be privileged. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify me and delete the original message. 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