FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMLS Press Contact
Giuliana Bullard, gbullard@imls.gov
202-653-4799
IMLS Looks Back at Three Years of IMLS Funding for National Digital Platform
Reports and Events Explore Approaches for Building Digital Capacity of Libraries and Museums
Washington, D.C.— For three years, IMLS has supported the funding area known as the National Digital Platform (NDP) to increase the digital capacity of libraries and museums. To mark the milestone, IMLS released two reports and is hosting a meeting in October about the past and future of NDP work. Tomorrow, the agency hosts a Twitter chat from 2-3 p.m. EDT to explore the themes, trends, and best practices around NDP.
The NDP concept encompasses the software applications, social and technical infrastructures, and staff expertise that helps libraries, archives, and museums provide digital content, collections, and services for their users. It represents a web of interconnected infrastructures, as well as shared tools and systems that have been advanced by IMLS funding.
The new National Digital Platform developments are:
- NDP at Three Twitter chat (October 11, 2-3 p.m. EDT): Participants can use #NDPthree to join IMLS and representatives from libraries, museums, and affiliated institutions for a dynamic conversation around shared digital services, systems, and infrastructure.
- NDP at Three report: With a look back at the past three years of NDP funding, the report identifies broad focal areas as well as more granular themes and trends.
- Open Digital Preservation Training and Professional Development Opportunities report: The national landscape of freely available continuing education resources for digital preservation skills is explored in the report, as well as opportunities for future resource development.
- NDP at Three meeting livestream (October 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. EDT): IMLS will host a meeting about the past and future of NDP work. Broad participation is encouraged through the livestream link. The discussion will cover the progress made with NDP funding through the National Leadership Grants for Libraries and the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian programs, and it will identify pressing needs for future work.
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 approximately 120,000 libraries and 35,000 museums and related organizations. 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. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.