About Us - Issues

Lifelong/Intergenerational Learning

Libraries and museums are unique in their capacity to engage learners of all ages and abilities.

Search the Awarded Grants database for grants to programs that strengthen lifelong/intergenerational learning (issue areas have only been assigned to grants awarded since FY 2009)

Lifelong/intergenerational learning content on the IMLS Web site:
a Boy Scout troop, shown here while working on The Crayon Project
Blog Post: Public Libraries: Powerful Community Conveners for The Big Read

November 23, 2011 10:32 AM
Caldwell (NJ) Public Library’s Big Read project, which celebrated Cynthia Ozick’s novella 'The Shawl,' transformed the library and the way it serves its community. Read More

 
Ristau Flint 2010
Blog Post: Transforming Life After 50: Public Libraries and Baby Boomers

October 28, 2011 02:13 AM
The IMLS Western Regional Fellowship: Transforming Life After 50 (TLA50) provides continuing education scholarships for library professionals to advance their library and information science skills related to improving services to and engagement with active, older adults. Read More

 
photo of a teacher and students around a table, looking at documents and photographs
Blog Post: Maine Memory Network — 21st Century Skills

October 21, 2011 10:15 AM
Maine Memory Network was launched in 2001 as an online digital archive whose primary goal was to expand access to historical collections across the state. It has since evolved into a robust online museum and become a flexible platform for a wide range of historical interests and activity. Read More

 
One of the Special Participating Youth (SPYs) plays at the Knight table with a Treehouse Museum visitor.
May 2011: A Knight at the Museum Encourages Family Reading through Learning Quest Adventures


The Treehouse Museum's A Knight at the Museum program provides opportunities for families of children enrolled in area Head Start programs and in local public schools to participate in storybook themed learning quests centered around the museum's resources. Thanks to funding by an IMLS Museums for America Engaging Communities grant, the Treehouse Museum updated its exhibits for the program and offered the event at reduced cost to area schools. Read More

 
Student participating in a hands-on science activity during a KC Science, INC program.
March 2009: KC Science, INC – Inspiring Natural Curiosity In Science


Several years ago, Kansas City leaders decided to boost future economic growth by developing science and engineering skills in the area’s work force. There was a problem though: Kansas City’s workers and students weren’t very interested in science and engineering. Read More

 
Steve: The Museum Social Tagging Project
November 2008: Steve Eases Online Searches of Museum Web Sites


For museums seeking greater and more engaged audiences for their online collections, steve.museum may offer some answers. The concept is simple: individuals contribute descriptions about the art (and other collection objects) on museum Web sites using the steve tagger. Read More

 
cover of Designs for Change: Libraries and Productive Aging
Designs for Change: Libraries and Productive Aging


As the first of the baby boomers turn 60, public libraries are preparing to offer creative alternatives to retirement to a generation notorious for their idealism and activism. This report from the Americans for Libraries Council (ALC) and IMLS offers guidelines, demographics, and examples of model programs to public libraries interested in connecting these active older adults to new opportunities for learning, work, and community service. Read More