The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded $25,000 to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (RLSM).
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded $25,000 to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (RLSM). The museum will use the grant funds to improve the long term storage of their internationally significant permanent collection.
Through the acquisition of compact mobile shelving units and sliding art racks, the RLSM will use this grant to begin a re-housing project based on national standards and best practices. This will create a new professional collections storage area and allow the museum to be able to rotate and rest objects properly. Thus the collection will have increased longevity and be more accessible to the community for which it is held in public trust.
“Our grants are highly competitive. The Institute of Museum and Library Services enlists hundreds of library and museum professionals throughout the United States to review grant applications and make recommendations on projects most worthy of funding,” said IMLS Director Susan H. Hildreth. “Receiving a grant from IMLS is a significant achievement, and we congratulate the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum for being among the 2014 IMLS museum grantees.”
IMLS museum grants support a wide variety of projects that create learning experiences, strengthen communities, care for collections and provide broad public access.
“Our board and staff are completely thrilled by this news,” said RLSM Executive Director Marissa Schleicher. “IMLS is such a respected organization, and their grants are so rigorous, that I hope their confidence in our small museum will help inspire locals to also help fund this project. We need to raise an additional $20,000 to buy a few more storage units and archival supplies to finish our re-housing goals. After that, the museum plans to remodel our main exhibition space with a section devoted to temporary exhibitions. So, as you can imagine, we have been doing a lot of planning and are eager to become a more active cultural experience for the community – step by step.”
A complete list of museum recipients is available on the IMLS website at www.imls.gov/2014MuseumList. For information about IMLS museum grant programs, see: www.imls.gov/applicants/available_grants.aspx.
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 35,000 museums. 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.
About Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization devoted “to preserving and promoting the legacy of Robert Louis Stevenson” through exhibitions, educational programs and research opportunities. Hours are 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays, excluding holidays. Visit us at 1490 Library Lane in St. Helena (just next door to the Public Library entrance). For information, contact Marissa Schleicher, Executive Director, at 707-963-3767, director@stevensonmuseum.org, or on the web at www.StevensonMuseum.org