The roles of libraries and museums in early learning

The 26th meeting of the National Museum and Library Services Board (NMLSB) will focus on the role of libraries and museums in early learning. President Obama has made early childhood learning a priority and IMLS is promoting policies, analyzing data and making grants to help integrate libraries and museums into community-wide early learning strategies. The board will hear from foundation, government, library and museum experts to help inform future IMLS activities in this area.

IMLS anticipates that eight new NMLSB members, nominated by President Obama, will be officially appointed by the time of the board meeting:

• Charles Benton, chairman and CEO of the Benton Foundation
• Christie Pearson Brandau, retired state Librarian and adjunct professor at the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University
• Bert Castro, president and CEO of the Arizona Zoological Society/Phoenix Zoo
• Paula Gangopadhyay, chief learning officer at The Henry Ford
• Luis Herrera, city librarian of the San Francisco Public Library
• Dr. Eric J. Jolly, president of the Science Museum of Minnesota
• Susana Torruella Leval, director emerita of El Museo del Barrio
• Suzanne E. Thorin, dean of Libraries and University Librarian at Syracuse University