Heritage Preservation Receives IMLS Grant

Heritage Preservation Receives Grant to Support the
Development of Statewide Cultural Heritage Emergency Networks

Heritage Preservation is delighted to announce the receipt of a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The IMLS grant will support the development of statewide cultural heritage emergency networks by strengthening the relationships among state libraries, state archives, state museums or museum associations, and state and federal emergency management agencies to more effectively prepare for and respond to disasters.

The project will start with an examination of the strengths and weaknesses of four existing statewide preparedness and response initiatives – the Alliance for Response, the Intergovernmental Preparedness for Essential Records (IPER) project, the Regional Emergency Response Networks program, and the Coordinated Statewide Emergency Preparedness (COSTEP) initiative. The findings of this assessment will serve as the basis for three national forums attended by state delegates from each of the four communities of interest and FEMA, cosponsor with Heritage Preservation of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force. The conclusions and recommendations that emerge from the forums will inform an action plan that will empower states, territories, and tribal nations to establish emergency networks.

The overall goal of this project embodies Heritage Preservation’s mission – to preserve and protect our nation’s cultural heritage for future generations through innovative leadership, education, and programs. For more information, contact project director Lori Foley, lfoley@heritagepreservation.org.

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The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 42 government agencies and national service organizations formed in 1995. An initiative of Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Task Force has helped to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. Find valuable disaster resources at the Task Force Web site, www.heritageemergency.org

Heritage Preservation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the United States. By identifying risks, developing innovative programs, and providing broad public access to expert advice, Heritage Preservation assists museums, libraries, archives, historic preservation and other organizations, as well as individuals, in caring for our endangered heritage.