Library Gets $100-K Grant

ASU Library Receives $100-K Grant to Support African-American Museums 

By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU

Alabama State University's Levi Watkins Learning Center (LWLC) is just one of 34 entities nationwide to receive a $100,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the organization’s Museum Grants for African-American History and Culture (AAHC) program. ASU's archivist, Raegan C. Stearns, who wrote the grant that enabled the funding to occur, explained that the monies ASU received will support activities that enrich and extend growth for African-American museums, while expanding the expertise of African-American museum professionals. 

Stearns, who is the principal investigator for the grant, said the grant will help the LWLC care for its priceless art collection.  

“The Archives is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and we are so excited that this $100,000 grant will help us continue to improve in the care of our materials," Stearns said. "In particular, we will be able to store our two and three-dimensional artworks to meet professional standards while also increasing our art storage capacity to accommodate future donations of art.” 

DEAN FRANKLIN BELIEVES MODERN STORAGE IS IMPERATIVE 

Dr. Janice Franklin, dean of the LWLC and project director of the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture, said the grant will help safeguard the LWLC’s art and ephemera by funding the purchase of a compact shelving system to ensure the long-term preservation of the library’s collection. 

"This grant will allow us to preserve our growing and priceless art collection by using current art storage methods. We are appreciative to the IMLS for their funding which will allow us to implement a modern storage system that will expand our capacity to house our collections," Franklin stated. "We are also appreciative to our archivist, Reagan Stearns, for pursuing this grant opportunity...this is the third grant received this year at the LWLC as a result of the work of Stearns." 

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES  

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. It advances, supports, and empowers 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 the nation's diverse natural and cultural heritage.  

To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow the agency on Facebook and Twitter. 

News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104. 

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