The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has released a new five year strategic plan. The plan identifies the mission of IMLS to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, learning, and cultural and civic engagement by providing leadership through research, policy development, and grant-making.
According to a press release by IMLS: “The strategic plan establishes a clear framework for performance improvement that emphasizes evidence-based program development and evaluation and includes identifying and sharing best practices; aligning grant-making to best practices and research results; networking to build capacity; and assessing progress.”
Five strategic goals will underpin IMLS programs and investments:
- IMLS places the learner at the center and supports engaging experiences in libraries and museums that prepare people to be full participants in their local communities and our global society.
- IMLS promotes museums and libraries as strong community anchors that enhance civic engagement, cultural opportunities, and economic vitality.
- IMLS supports exemplary stewardship of museum and library collections and promotes the use of technology to facilitate discovery of knowledge and cultural heritage.
- IMLS advises the President and Congress on plans, policies, and activities that sustain and increase public access to information and ideas.
- IMLS achieves excellence in public management and performs as a model organization through strategic alignment of IMLS resources and prioritization of programmatic activities, maximizing value for the American public.
The new plan was developed with the input of 1,400 participants. NSC Alliance submitted comments on the draft plan in August 2011.
Read the plan at http://www.imls.gov/about/strategic_plan.aspx.