AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS
ACT NOW Museum Advocacy Alert

Congress to Hold Hearing Thursday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m. EST, on how Museums and Libraries Strengthen Communities;

WATCH LIVE on Thursday morning: http://edlabor.house.gov

The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities is scheduled to hold an informational hearing on museums and libraries at 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, September 11, 2008.

The Subcommittee will be examining how museums and libraries help to strengthen communities and will specifically focus on programs where museums partner with local government entities to solve community problems. One such program expected to be highlighted is a children’s museum that uses an IMLS grant to support a collaborative initiative between the museum, the county’s child welfare agency, and the family court system.

“Museums and libraries are playing such a vital role in communities around the nation,” said AAM President Ford W. Bell. “I commend Chairwoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Ranking Member Todd Platts (R-PA) for calling this hearing to explore the exceptional work that museums and libraries are doing to strengthen communities.” He added, “I hope the museum field will be able to listen in on the Committee proceedings.”

For additional information about museum advocacy, visit www.speakupformuseums.org or e-mail AAM’s grassroots manager, Ember Farber, at efarber@aam-us.org. Please keep in mind that all Congressional action is subject to change, and the Committee website will usually reflect any changes.

Visit the AAM website at www.aam-us.org today!