IMLS

To celebrate #America250, AMFA is leading a statewide initiative inspired by a work by Thomas Hart Benton from its collection. Students & community members across Arkansas were invited to create postcard-style artworks depicting how their communities celebrate both America and Arkansas. #IMLSmedals 📷: Jason Masters

Today, we hope you will join us in congratulating the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts! The museum is a vibrant cultural hub where all are welcome to discover, learn & find joy in the arts. #IMLSmedals 📷: Jason Masters

🏅IMLS is kicking off the annual #IMLSmedals Share Your Story campaign to celebrate the 10 2025 National Medal winners! Join us every Friday through June to learn more!

Born in Maryland, Benjamin Banneker was a self-taught mathematician, astronomer, and inventor whose work helped shape early American science and city planning. He is best known for his detailed almanacs and for assisting in surveying the land that would become Washington, D.C. Banneker’s intellect and determination challenged the boundaries of his time, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire innovation and the pursuit of knowledge. #IMLS250

IMLS and Maryland’s @borailmuseum work together to protect America’s past and build America’s future! Through the Restore Baltimore program, funded by an #IMLSgrant, participants gain real-world trade skills while helping care for one of the nation’s most historic railroad campuses. B&O Railroad Museum is also home to the American Freedom Train, which toured the nation during the United States Bicentennial and served as an inspiration for this year’s Freedom Trucks. Learn more about the Freedom Trucks ➡️ imls.gov/communities-im… #IMLS250

Step into living history in Maryland! The Maryland State House in Annapolis is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use and once served as the nation’s capitol. #IMLS250

At the Maryland State House, the Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War and affirming the independence the colonies had fought to secure. #IMLS250

From Connecticut, Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most Academy Awards for Best Actress in history. Her fearless performances transformed Hollywood’s expectations of women on screen, and her legacy continues to influence actors striving for authenticity. #IMLS250

#MysticSeaport Museum (founded as Marine Historical Association) is the largest maritime museum in the United States. Its 19-acre (7.7 ha) site holds a collection of ships and boats and a re-creation of a 19th-century seaport village consisting of more than 60 historic buildings, including many rare commercial structures that were moved to the site and meticulously restored.

Through Freedom Trucks, @US_IMLS is bringing an engaging presentation of one of the greatest stories ever, the story of the American Founding, to all corners of our nation. Yesterday, Acting Secretary of Labor @Sonderling47, who was a crucial force behind Freedom Trucks during his tenure at IMLS, helped welcome the truck to our capital!

Find out where the Freedom Fleet is heading next or submit a request to host one of these Mobile Museums in your local community 🇺🇸⬇️ freedom250.org/freedom-truck

Celebrate 250 years of Independence and experience the Great American Story in a Freedom Truck, powered by @US_IMLS and @Freedom250 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Visitors will soon experience Cold War–era technology firsthand at @CTFortTrumbull State Park & Museum in Connecticut. A redesigned interactive exhibit will let families learn how SONAR helped detect submarines—combining science, strategy, and history in an engaging hands-on experience funded by an #IMLSgrant. #IMLS250

As we continue to recognize #Freedom250, we look to Connecticut’s resolve. When British forces raided Danbury, fierce fighting at Ridgefield showed how strongly Connecticut would defend its supplies and its cause. #IMLS250

Pharmacist and inventor John Pemberton created a formula that would become one of the most recognized beverages in the world: Coca-Cola. His creation helped shape Georgia’s identity as a center of business and innovation. #IMLS250

What began with a single collection of newspaper clippings has grown into thousands of artifacts preserving Black history. In Georgia, Air Force veteran Jack Hadley started the Jack Hadley Black_History Museum to share powerful stories of achievement, struggle, and resilience. His work is supported by an #IMLSgrant #IMLS250

#DYK: The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the United States, holding more than 11 million gallons of water and housing thousands of amazing marine animals. A true Peach State treasure making a big splash in American conservation and discovery! 🐠🍑 #IMLS250

As we continue to commemorate #Freedom250, we turn to the southernmost colony. At Kettle Creek Battlefield in Georgia, a pivotal Patriot victory helped secure the Southern backcountry and weaken British control, proving Georgia’s vital role in the fight for independence. #IMLS250

Photo: County of Los Angeles Public Library. In fall 2017, LA County Library rolled out a new volunteer-based intergenerational tutoring program called Reading STARS (Students and Tutors Achieving Reading Success), which pairs older adult tutors with K-3 students in a one-on-one or small group setting. The program aims to motivate children who aren’t reading at grade level to become better readers, while providing older adults with meaningful community service.

Learn more at IMLS.GOV/FIND-FUNDING/F….

🚨 CLOSING TODAY: Applications for our 2026 discretionary #IMLSgrant programs. Submit your Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants or Native Hawaiian Library Services applications by midnight!