Vermont Historical Society Awarded IMLS Grant to enhance state-wide museum volunteer workforce development
The Vermont Historical Society (VHS) is proud to announce that it has been selected to receive a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (21MP). This grant program supports institutions across the country in preparing museum professionals to tackle contemporary challenges in the field.
In this funding cycle, the IMLS has awarded a total of $2 million to eight institutions nationwide, with VHS receiving $175,029. This grant will allow VHS to work with local historical societies around the state to help develop advanced skills among staff at these mostly all-volunteer organizations. The project will help organizations find the right direction for their collections work, break daunting tasks down to doable sizes, and prepare for further work in digitization and collections access.
Project components include an Online Resource Center, workshops, and intensive work with two cohorts of historical societies to provide training, resources, and direct assistance on self-selected components of collections-based projects. The materials and frameworks resulting from this project will serve as a model for similar organizations in other states to increase institutional sustainability and ensure the continuing preservation of local history.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Grant 21MP-256386-OMS-24.
“Vermont’s over 190 local historical societies and museums, run mainly by volunteers, are struggling with caring for and providing access to their amazing collections. This project will provide the direct, hands-on assistance they need to thrive. It has the potential to be a game changer for Vermont community history and beyond” says Director of Service & Outreach Eileen Corcoran.
“We are honored that our support for local societies throughout Vermont is recognized at the national level,” says VHS Executive Director Steve Perkins. “One of our strategic goals states that, ‘We recognize and support local history efforts; understanding that local societies are an integral part of sharing and preserving Vermont's story.’ We look forward to using this opportunity to expand and enhance our robust services throughout the state.”
About the Vermont Historical Society
Founded in 1838, the Vermont Historical Society believes understanding the past changes lives and builds better communities. Our purpose is to engage Vermonters and Vermonters-at-Heart with outstanding collections, state-wide outreach, and dynamic programming. To learn more about VHS, please visit our website at http://www.vermonthistory.org
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 libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit?http://www.imls.gov and follow us on?Facebook?and?LinkedIn.
