Summer 2005 Update

Martin Completes Term as IMLS Director

Dr. Robert S. Martin completed his four-year term as Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) July 12. Dr. Martin was nominated by the President of the United States to be Director of IMLS in June 2001; the U.S. Senate subsequently confirmed his nomination by unanimous consent. During his tenure, IMLS has awarded 4,704 grants to America's museums and libraries totaling more than $899 million.

President George W. Bush signs into law, H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003, in the Oval Office Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003. Pictured with the President are, from left: Congressman Ralph Regula, R-Ohio; Congressman Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich.; Congressman John Boehner, R-Ohio; Education Secretary Rod Paige; Laura Bush; Dr. Robert Martin, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services; Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyoming; and Senator Jack Reed, D-R.I. White House photo by Tina Hager.
A librarian, archivist, educator, and administrator, Dr. Martin was Professor and Interim Director of the School of Library and Information Studies at Texas Women's University (TWU) prior to his appointment at IMLS. From 1995 to 1999, he was Director and Librarian of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Dr. Martin will return to work at the Denton campus of TWU, where he has been named the Lillian Bradshaw Endowed Chair in Library Science, on September 1, 2006.

Since Dr. Martin assumed the directorship of IMLS, the agency's budget has increased from $232,321,000 to $280,564,000. In addition, in September 2003, President George W. Bush signed the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 reauthorizing the agency through 2009. The legislation received bi-partisan support from Congress and enthusiastic backing from the library and museum communities.

"I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve IMLS during a period of extraordinary support for libraries and museums from both the Administration and Congress," said Dr. Martin. "Fundamental in the success of our efforts at IMLS, of course, has been the outstanding work that so many libraries and museum professionals do in simply serving their communities. Every day they demonstrate the undeniable value of libraries and museums through the resources and services they provide to the American people. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Administration, particularly our First Lady and First Librarian Laura Bush, the Congress, and the library and museum communities."

Among the projects IMLS has funded during Dr. Martin's tenure are the Conservation Assessment Program and the Heritage Health Index.

Until the President nominates and the Senate confirms a new director, IMLS Deputy Director Mary Chute will administer the day-to-day operations of the agency as Acting Director. The next presidential appointee to be Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services will have expertise in museum services and will be appointed for a four-year term.

For more information about Dr. Martin's time at IMLS, click here.