20 USC 9173 - Museum services activities

View all text of Subchapter III [§ 9171 - § 9176]

§ 9173. Museum services activities

(a) In generalThe Director, subject to the policy advice of the Museum and Library Services Board, may enter into arrangements, including grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance, with museums, States, local governments, and other entities as the Director considers appropriate, to pay the Federal share of the cost of—

(1) supporting museums in providing learning and access to collections, information, and educational resources in a variety of formats (including exhibitions, programs, publications, and websites) for individuals of all ages;

(2) supporting museums in building learning partnerships with the Nation’s schools, including tribal schools, and developing museum resources, capabilities, and programs in support of State and local efforts to offer a well-rounded educational experience to all students;

(3) supporting the conservation and preservation of museum collections, including efforts to—

(A) provide optimal conditions for storage, exhibition, and use;

(B) prepare for and respond to disasters and emergency situations;

(D) curate, stabilize, and organize object-related information; and

(E) train museum staff in collections care;

(4) supporting efforts at the State level to leverage museum resources, including statewide assessments of museum services and needs and development of State plans to improve and maximize museum services through the State;

(5) creating shared technology tools and data resources, and developing museum staff training plans to improve and maximize museum services through organizations such as museum associations, professional networks, community-based organizations, and foundations, and through other collaborative mechanisms;

(6) stimulating greater collaboration, in order to share resources and strengthen communities, among museums and—

(A) libraries;

(B) schools;

(D) international, Federal, State, regional, tribal, and local agencies or organizations;

(E) nongovernmental organizations;

(F) other community organizations; and

(G) other relevant research and policy organizations;

(7) encouraging the use of new and emerging technologies and media, including new ways to disseminate information, engage varied audiences in experiential learning, and support teachers and students to enhance access to and engagement with museum collections, programs, and services;

(8) supporting museums in developing, carrying out, and providing programs and services that meet the needs of communities throughout the Nation, including people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, residents of rural and urban areas, Native Americans, military families, veterans, and caregivers, and for State institutions;

(9) supporting professional development and technical assistance programs to enhance museum operations, and the skills of museum staff, at all levels, and to support the development of the next generation of museum leaders and professionals, in order to ensure the highest standards in all aspects of museum operations;

(10) supporting museums in research, program evaluation, and the collection and dissemination of information to museum professionals and the public;

(11) encouraging, supporting, and disseminating model programs of museum and library collaboration;

(12) enabling museums to serve as anchor institutions to support community revitalization and the creation of opportunities for advancement; and

(13) developing public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations to expand and enhance museum services.

(b) Federal share

(1) 50 percent

(2) Greater than 50 percent

(3) Operational expenses

(1) In general

(2) Grant distribution

(3) Applications for technical assistance

(A) In general

(B) Individual museums

(d) Services for Native Americans

(Pub. L. 94–462, title II, § 274, formerly § 273, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(e) [title VII, § 702], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–233, 3009–303; renumbered § 274 and amended Pub. L. 108–81, title III, §§ 303, 306(1), Sept. 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 1000, 1002; Pub. L. 111–340, title III, § 303, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3603; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(aaa)(4), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2184; Pub. L. 115–410, § 18, Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5420.)