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Vol. 17, No. 10

October 2015 


OCTOBER PROJECT PROFILE
 
STEM Learning Provides Inspiration for Detroit Zoo's Tomorrow's Leaders Today Program

The Detroit Zoological Society's "Tomorrow's Leaders Today" project engages students and their teachers' familiarity with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through a series of day-long Zoo experiences. Read More


DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE FROM THE UPNEXT BLOG
 
Student Literary Ambassadors' Talent Shines Brightly
 
I recently met a group of talented young poets tasked to serve as literary ambassadors across our country over the next year. The National Student Poets Program is our nation's highest honor for outstanding high school poets, and IMLS is proud to partner with the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers to present the National Student Poets Program. The five poets represent different parts of the country and when I tell you they are amazing, well, you have to see for yourself!

The five poets include:
  • Chasity Hale, a 16-year-old from Miami Beach, FL representing the Southeast Region;
  • De'John Hardges, a 16-year-old from Cleveland, OH representing the Midwest Region;
  • David Xiang, a 17-year-old from Little Rock, AR representing the Southwest Region;
  • Anna Lance, a 17-year-old from Eagle River, AK representing the West Region; and,
  • Eileen Huang, a 15-year-old representing the Northeast Region
 
I think IMLS's Timothy Owens is getting snazzy dressing tips from Student Poet De'John Hardges. Photo courtesy of: President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.
 
 
Here I am with four of the poets, along with Rachel Goslins, executive director of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and Olivia Morgan, a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities who was a brainchild behind this wonderful program. Photo courtesy of: President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

As a key component of their year-long ambassadorships, each of the 2015 National Student Poets will travel the country to engage audiences of all ages in the art of poetry as well as create, plan and execute community service projects in their respective regions. Some of the past community service projects have included hosting writing workshops for military children at the U.S. Army War College and for Native American youth in North Dakota. Each poet also receives an academic award of $5,000 funded by the Bernstein Family Foundation, and will serve as a resource for the U.S. Department of Education and the Library of Congress.

After a ceremony where they were officially announced by First Lady Michelle Obama, the poets each spoke eloquently over dinner that night to share more about themselves. I encourage all of you to follow their activities and travels on Facebook and definitely catch them in person if you can. There's also a video if you want to learn more about the program.

Meeting the five poets was inspiring. They hold a tremendous amount of promise for the future of the arts, literature and definitely our country. I am watching with anticipation to see what they will be doing over the next year!
 

THE LATEST NEWS

ASTC To Promote STEM Learning with AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers
Seven science centers and museums are part of a pilot project aimed at finding new ways to introduce youth in low-income neighborhoods to STEM programs and careers. Read more
 
IMLS-USCIS Webinar on Task Force on New Americans October 27
The new IMLS-USCIS webinar will provide an overview about the White House Task Force on New Americans, an interagency effort to develop a federal strategy to better integrate immigrants into communities. Read more
 
Webinar Opportunity: Raising Awareness about the Citizenship Process with Citizenship Corners
The Partnership for New Americans is presenting a free webinar on the concept of creating library citizenship corners on Friday, November 6, 2015, at 3 p.m. EDT. Featured guests will discuss the process of launching Citizenship Corners, best practices from the field, tips for building wraparound services, and how to target outreach to raise the visibility of libraries as welcoming informational centers for immigrants. Registration is open for this free webinar.
 
 


UPNEXT BLOG POSTS

Funding Opportunities for Libraries and Archives this Fall
Learn more about grant opportunities through IMLS's National Leadership Grants for Libraries and Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program. Read more

A Focus on Libraries Engaging Communities
A new report, prepared by OCLC Research, highlights key themes and issues raised at the IMLS Focus: Engaging Communities convening. Read more

Setting an Agenda to Advance Learning in Libraries
A new report, prepared by OCLC Research, highlights key themes and issues raised at the IMLS Focus: Learning in Libraries convening. Read more

Read the Nine New National Digital Platform Pro ject Narratives
These new projects will help advance the digital capability and capacity of libraries across the U.S. Read more

Expanding Broadband Access: The Work Continues
As a member of the federal interagency Broadband Opportunity Council, IMLS is interested in supporting traditionally underserved communities that too often lack high-speed broadband connections. Read more

Tribal Cohort Program Provides Resources for Digital Heritage Management
The Tribal Stewardship Cohort Program: Digital Heritage Management, Archiving and Mukurtu CMS Training project is a three-year IMLS funded program for tribal archives, libraries, and museums designed to provide a holistic digital stewardship curriculum. Read more

Hosting Naturalization Ceremonies at the Schaumburg Township District Library
In libraries across the country, including the Schaumburg Township District Library, citizenship candidates are proudly holding up their right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance. Read more

Family Place Libraries Hit a Home Run
The Kalamazoo Public Library partnered with a collegiate baseball team to provide a summer reading program for their youngest fans. Read more

Music to My Ears
The State Archives of Florida was awarded the Archival Innovator Award for their Florida Memory Radio project. The 24-hour Internet radio station provides access to musical recordings from their archives. Read more

Games & Learning Conference
The Center for Games & Learning at MidAmerica Nazarene University hosted a Games & Learning Conference to discuss how gameplay can support educators. Read more

The Tech Museum of Innovation: Stepping Stone for Academic Success
The resources that the Tech Museum of Innovation provide to Washington Elementary School are invaluable to Principal Maria Arias Evans. Read more

The New York Hall of Science: Teaching English through Discovery
After enrolling in the Science Career Ladder Program, Maria Cortes Ruiz credits the New York Hall of Science for helping improve her English language skills. Read more

Winning the Museum Membership Lottery
After winning a year long membership to the Louisiana Children's Museum, Kanitra Charles discovered programs that introduced her and her children to learning, literacy, and healthy eating concepts that changed their home life. Read more

Museum of Northern Arizona: Fostering Navajo Culture and Traditions
The Museum of Northern Arizona contributed to Jeneda Benally's music and dance success, and also helped her become an advocate for her culture and a mentor to Navajo youth through the museum's Discovery Camp. Read more


IMLS ON THE ROAD

 
"Grant Opportunities from the Institute of Museum and Library Services," Western Museums Association Annual Conference: Claudia French, Deputy Director for Museums, and Mark Feitl, Museum Program Specialist; San Jose, CA, October 24-27
 
Digital Library Federation Forum: Kathryn Matthew, Director, and Maura Marx, Deputy Director for Library Services; Vancouver, BC, October 26-28
 
2015 Leaders Partnering for Success, Urban Libraries Council: Kathryn Matthew, Director, and Maura Marx, Deputy Director for Library Services; San Diego, CA, October 28-30
 
INTERCOM 2015: Leadership for a Sustainable Museum: Christopher Reich, Senior Museum Advisor; Connie Bodner, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist; and Helen Wechsler, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist; Washington, DC, October 28-31
 
International Conference on Digital Preservation: Trevor Owens, Senior Program Officer; Chapel Hill, NC, November 2-4
 
"Getting It Paid For: Preparing and Submitting Successful IMLS Grant Applications," New England Museum Association Annual Conference: Connie Bodner, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist; Portland, ME, November 4-6
 
"What's a National Platform Strategy and Where Do Museums Fit?"  Museum Computer Network: Trevor Owens, Senior Library Program Officer, and Sandra Narva, Senior Museum Program Officer; Minneapolis, MN, November 4-7
 
American Evaluation Association Conference.  Matt Birnbaum, Senior Evaluation Officer; Chicago, IL:  November 11-14

"Comprehensive Community Development: the Arts, Culture and Collaborations in Rural South Carolina," a community convening of LISC and IMLS at Colleton Museum and Farmers Market: Kathryn Matthew, Director; Carlos Manjarrez, Strategic Advisor to the COO; Walterboro, SC: November 13  
 
Library Journal Directors Summit: Kathryn Matthew, Director; Maura Marx, Deputy Director for Library Services; Janelle Brevard, Director, Office of Communications and Government Affairs; Washington, DC, November 12-13
 
IMLS Focus Conference: Kit Matthew, Director, and various IMLS staff; New Orleans, LA, November 16-17
 
Coalition to Advance Learning in Archives, Libraries, and Museums Meeting: Sarah Fuller, Program Officer; New Orleans, LA, November 18
 
32nd Meeting of the National Museum and Library Services Board: Kathryn Matthew, Director, and various IMLS staff; New Orleans, LA, November 18
 
"Museums, Libraries and Community Comprehensive Revitalization," a community convening of LISC and IMLS at the Indianapolis Children's Museum:
Carlos Manjarrez, Strategic Advisor to the COO; Indianapolis, IN: November 20 

"Early learning in museums and libraries: Tools, partnerships, and promising practices," National Association for the Education of Young Children: Tim Carrigan, Senior Library Program Officer, and Reagan Moore, Museum Program Specialist; Orlando, FL, November 18-21

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive.

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