IHS, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Receive IMLS “Connecting to Collections” Implementation Grant

Indianapolis—The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) and the Hoosier Heritage Alliance (HHA) have received an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Connecting to Collections implementation grant in the amount of $246,100. It is one of only six institutions in the nation to receive grants this cycle.

Statewide Implementation Grants, an important component of the IMLS Connecting to Collections initiative, is funding a limited number of grants in 2011 to implement the plans or models created with the Statewide Planning grants. IHS and HHA received a planning grant in 2008.

This project brings together major Indiana institutions, all with extensive expertise and experience in collecting cultural artifacts, to advise the safeguarding and preservation of all of Indiana’s heritage collections. The grant expands the IHS’s capacity to assist Indiana’s locally-based cultural institutions with effectively preserving artifacts of the state’s past. The IHS Local History Services department assists local historical societies, museums, libraries, archives, genealogy groups and preservation groups in promoting Indiana’s history statewide.

“IMLS has long supported projects that seek to address the conservation and preservation needs documented by the Heritage Health Index (HHI),” said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth. “Statewide Implementation Grants are an important component of the Connecting to Collections initiative; which provides an opportunity for states and territories to maintain and improve safe conditions for their collections.”

Project activities will include site-specific collections care and management training sessions and multi-county conferences on collections care taught by state and regional experts. The collaborative will also develop and make available online training tools, an informational traveling exhibit about collections care, the Collections Advisor monthly e-mail to provide continuing education on conservation practices, and an informational poster about collections care for widespread distribution.

“We are extremely pleased that the IHS and HHA will be able to directly help county and local historical organizations who are preserving collections in their communities and to build on the 2008 project grant,” said John Herbst, IHS president and CEO. “This partnership will continue to serve as a national model for other states working to create successful collaborations between cultural institutions.”

The Hoosier Heritage Alliance includes: Allen County Public Library, Association of Indiana Museums, Carnegie Center for Art and History, Center for History in South Bend, Conner Prairie, Eiteljorg Museum, Evansville Museum, Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Landmarks, Indiana State Museum, Indiana State University/Cunningham Memorial Library, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Midwest Collaborative for Library Services and Minnetrista Cultural Foundation.

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.

About the Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor exhibitions called the Indiana Experience. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups, publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; and provides youth, adult and family programming. The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, home of the IHS and the Indiana Experience, is located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. For more information, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

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