FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2010

Press Contacts:

IMLS’s Making the Learning Connection Campaign
Lands in Columbia, South Carolina

Washington, DC—On August 20, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) brings the Making the Learning Connection campaign to Columbia, South Carolina. The half-day workshop will spotlight successful community programs as well as opportunities and challenges that local museums, libraries, and community groups encounter while meeting the community’s high priority information needs. Hosted by the Richland County Public Library (RCPL), speakers include RCPL Executive Director Melanie Huggins, The State Associate Editorial Page Editor Warren Bolton, and IMLS Acting Director Marsha L. Semmel. 

“We’re not simply repositories for books and art,” said Huggins. “Libraries and museums are actively pursuing the same goals as many of our community’s most critical services: ensuring that all of our residents have the highest quality of life possible.”

At the workshop, local museum, library, and community leaders will explore strategies and make plans for furthering the community’s 21st century learning objectives related to critical thinking, technology literacy, communication, global awareness, and creativity.

“Columbia’s museum, library, and community leaders already offer many different programs that support an engaged citizenry and a competitive workforce. Our campaign is designed to help museums, libraries, and civic leaders examine what has been accomplished throughout the community and to coordinate efforts to fill any remaining gaps,” said Semmel.

The Making the Learning Connection campaign is part of IMLS’s initiative to support libraries, museums, community stakeholders, and policymakers as they work to meet the educational, economic, civic, and cultural needs of communities. This campaign builds upon the release of Museums, Libraries and 21st Century Skills, which provides an online self-assessment for libraries and museums to develop a strategic approach to 21st century learning and a report for library and museum practitioners and policymakers. The campaign includes an eight-city workshop tour, a national contest, new online tools and resources, and a series of interactive webinars.

To learn more about 21st century skills, please listen to Semmel’s podcast: http://www.imls.gov/resources/podcasts_Aug10.shtm

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.