SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS
§9101. General definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) Determined to be obscene
The term "determined to be obscene" means determined, in a final judgment of a court of record and of competent jurisdiction in the United States, to be obscene.
(2) Digital literacy skills
The term "digital literacy skills" means the skills associated with—
(A) using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information; and
(B) developing digital citizenship and the responsible use of technology.
(3) Director
The term "Director" means the Director of the Institute appointed under
(4) Final judgment
The term "final judgment" means a judgment that is—
(A) not reviewed by any other court that has authority to review such judgment; or
(B) not reviewable by any other court.
(5) Indian tribe
The term "Indian tribe" means any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or village corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (
(6) Institute
The term "Institute" means the Institute of Museum and Library Services established under
(7) Museum and Library Services Board
The term "Museum and Library Services Board" means the National Museum and Library Services Board established under
(8) Obscene
The term "obscene" means, with respect to a project, that—
(A) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that such project, when taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
(B) such project depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; and
(C) such project, when taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in par. (5), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 202 of
Amendments
2018—Par. (2).
Par. (5).
2010—Pars. (2) to (8).
2003—Par. (1).
Pars. (3) to (5).
Pars. (6), (7).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Short Title of 2018 Amendment
Short Title of 2010 Amendment
Short Title of 2003 Amendment
Short Title of 1997 Amendment
Short Title of 1996 Amendment
Short Title
§9102. Institute of Museum and Library Services
(a) Establishment
There is established, within the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, an Institute of Museum and Library Services.
(b) Offices
The Institute shall consist of an Office of Museum Services and an Office of Library Services.
(c) Museum and Library Services Board
There shall be a National Museum and Library Services Board within the Institute, as provided under
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 203 of
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
"(b)
"(c)
References to National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Construed To Be References to Institute of Museum and Library Services
Transition and Transfer of Funds
Executive Documents
Executive Order No. 14084
Ex. Ord. No. 14084, Sept. 30, 2022, 87 F.R. 60535, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 14109, §5, Sept. 29, 2023, 88 F.R. 68449, establishing the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 14148, §2(yy), Jan. 20, 2025, 90 F.R. 8239.
Extension of Term of President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Term of President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities extended until Sept. 30, 2025, by Ex. Ord. No. 14109, Sept. 29, 2023, 88 F.R. 68447, set out as a note under
§9103. Director of Institute
(a) Appointment
(1) In general
The Institute shall be headed by a Director, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) Term
The Director shall serve for a term of 4 years, except that if a successor to the Director has not been appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, as of the date of expiration of the Director's term, the Director may serve for not more than 1 additional year or until a successor is appointed and confirmed, whichever is earlier.
(3) Qualifications
Beginning with the first individual appointed to the position of Director after September 30, 1996, every second individual so appointed shall be appointed from among individuals who have special competence with regard to library and information services. Beginning with the second individual appointed to the position of Director after September 30, 1996, every second individual so appointed shall be appointed from among individuals who have special competence with regard to museum services.
(b) Compensation
The Director may be compensated at the rate provided for level III of the Executive Schedule under
(c) Duties and powers
(1) Primary responsibility
The Director shall have primary responsibility for the development and implementation of policy to ensure the availability of museum, library, and information services adequate to meet the essential information, education, research, economic, cultural, and civic needs of the people of the United States.
(2) Duties
In carrying out the responsibility described in paragraph (1), the Director shall—
(A) advise the President, Congress, and other Federal agencies and offices on museum, library, and information services in order to ensure the creation, preservation, organization, and dissemination of knowledge;
(B) engage Federal, State, and local governmental agencies and private entities in assessing the museum, library, and information services needs of the people of the United States, and coordinate the development of plans, policies, and activities to meet such needs effectively;
(C) carry out programs of research and development, data collection, and financial assistance to extend and improve the museum, library, and information services of the people of the United States; and
(D) ensure that museum, library, and information services are fully integrated into the information and education infrastructures of the United States.
(d) Nondelegation
The Director shall not delegate any of the functions of the Director to any person who is not an officer or employee of the Institute.
(e) Interagency agreements
The Director may—
(1) enter into interagency agreements to promote or assist with the museum, library, and information services-related activities of other Federal agencies, on either a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis; and
(2) use funds appropriated under this chapter for the costs of such activities.
(f) Coordination
The Director shall ensure coordination of the policies and activities of the Institute with the policies and activities of other agencies and offices of the Federal Government having interest in and responsibilities for the improvement of museums and libraries and information services. Where appropriate, the Director shall ensure that such policies and activities are coordinated with—
(1) programs and activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [
(2) programs and activities under the Head Start Act (
(3) activities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [
(4) Federal programs and activities that increase the capacity of libraries and museums to act as partners in supporting economic and community development, providing education and research, improving digital literacy skills, strengthening financial literacy and other types of literacy skills, and enhancing public safety and health awareness.
(g) Interagency collaboration
The Director shall work jointly with the individuals heading relevant Federal departments and agencies, including the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Education, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Chairman of the National Endowment of the Humanities, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Librarian of Congress, the Archivist of the United States, and the Director of the United States Government Publishing Office, or the designees of such individuals, on—
(1) initiatives, materials, technology, or research to support education, workforce development, economic and business development, and related activities and services undertaken by libraries;
(2) resource and policy approaches to eliminate barriers to fully leveraging the role of libraries and museums in supporting the early learning, literacy, lifelong learning, digital literacy, workforce development, and education needs of the people of the United States; and
(3) initiatives, materials, technology, or research to support educational, cultural, historical, scientific, environmental, and other activities undertaken by museums.
(h) Regulatory authority
The Director may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and appropriate to implement the provisions of this chapter.
(i) Application procedures
(1) In general
In order to be eligible to receive financial assistance under this chapter, a person or agency shall submit an application in accordance with procedures established by the Director by regulation.
(2) Review and evaluation
The Director shall establish procedures for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted under this chapter. Actions of the Institute and the Director in the establishment, modification, and revocation of such procedures under this chapter are vested in the discretion of the Institute and the Director. In establishing such procedures, the Director shall ensure that the criteria by which applications are evaluated are consistent with the purposes of this chapter, taking into consideration general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American public.
(3) Treatment of projects determined to be obscene
(A) In general
The procedures described in paragraph (2) shall include provisions that clearly specify that obscenity is without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific merit, and is not protected speech.
(B) Prohibition
No financial assistance may be provided under this chapter with respect to any project that is determined to be obscene.
(C) Treatment of application disapproval
The disapproval of an application by the Director shall not be construed to mean, and shall not be considered as evidence that, the project for which the applicant requested financial assistance is or is not obscene.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(2) and the second place it appears in subsec. (i)(2), was in the original "this Act" and was translated as reading "this title", meaning title II of
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), is
The Head Start Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), is subchapter B (§635 et seq.) of
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 204 of
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(4).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(3).
2015—Subsec. (f)(1).
2014—Subsec. (f)(3).
2010—Subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (e) to (g).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
2003—Subsec. (e).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Amendment by
Service of Individuals Serving on September 30, 1996
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. The second closing parenthesis probably should not appear.
§9104. Deputy Directors
The Office of Library Services shall be headed by a Deputy Director, who shall be appointed by the Director from among individuals who have a graduate degree in library science and expertise in library and information services. The Office of Museum Services shall be headed by a Deputy Director, who shall be appointed by the Director from among individuals who have expertise in museum services.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 205 of
§9105. Personnel
(a) In general
The Director may, in accordance with applicable provisions of title 5, appoint and determine the compensation of such employees as the Director determines to be necessary to carry out the duties of the Institute.
(b) Appointment and compensation of technical and professional employees
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Director may appoint without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing the appointment in the competitive service and may compensate without regard to the provisions of
(2) Number and compensation
(A) In general
The number of employees appointed and compensated under paragraph (1) shall not exceed 1/5 of the number of full-time regular or professional employees of the Institute.
(B) Rate of compensation
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), the rate of basic compensation for the employees appointed and compensated under paragraph (1) may not exceed the rate prescribed for level GS–15 of the General Schedule under
(ii) Exception
The Director may appoint not more than 3 employees under paragraph (1) at a rate of basic compensation that exceeds the rate described in clause (i) but does not exceed the rate of basic pay in effect for positions at level IV of the Executive Schedule under
(c) Voluntary services
The Director may accept and utilize the voluntary services of individuals and reimburse the individuals for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same amounts and to the same extent as authorized under
(d) Experts and consultants
The Director may use experts and consultants, including panels of experts, who may be employed as authorized under
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 206 of
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d).
1997—Subsecs. (b), (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Consideration Given to Individuals With Experience
§9105a. National Museum and Library Services Board
(a) Establishment
There is established within the Institute a board to be known as the "National Museum and Library Services Board".
(b) Membership
(1) Number and appointment
The Museum and Library Services Board shall be composed of the following:
(A) The Director.
(B) The Deputy Director for the Office of Library Services.
(C) The Deputy Director for the Office of Museum Services.
(D) Ten members appointed by the President, from among individuals who are citizens of the United States and who are specially qualified by virtue of their education, training, or experience in the area of library services, or their commitment to libraries.
(E) Ten members appointed by the President, from among individuals who are citizens of the United States and who are specially qualified by virtue of their education, training, or experience in the area of museum services, or their commitment to museums.
(2) Special qualifications
(A) Library members
Of the members of the Museum and Library Services Board appointed under paragraph (1)(D)—
(i) five shall be professional librarians or information specialists, of whom—
(I) not less than one shall be knowledgeable about electronic information and technical aspects of library and information services and sciences; and
(II) not less than one other shall be knowledgeable about the library and information service needs of underserved communities, including rural communities; and
(ii) the remainder shall have special competence in, or knowledge of, the needs for library and information services in the United States.
(B) Museum members
Of the members of the Museum and Library Services Board appointed under paragraph (1)(E)—
(i) five shall be museum professionals who are or have been affiliated with—
(I) resources that, collectively, are broadly representative of the curatorial, conservation, educational, and cultural resources of the United States; or
(II) museums that, collectively, are broadly representative of various types of museums, including museums relating to science, history, technology, art, zoos, botanical gardens, and museums designed for children; and
(ii) the remainder shall be individuals recognized for their broad knowledge, expertise, or experience in museums or commitment to museums.
(3) Geographic and other representation
Members of the Museum and Library Services Board shall be appointed to reflect persons from, and the needs of, various geographic regions of the United States, including rural areas. The Museum and Library Services Board may not include, at any time, more than three appointive members from a single State. In making such appointments, the President shall give due regard to equitable representation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who are involved with museums and libraries.
(4) Voting
The Director, the Deputy Director of the Office of Library Services, the Deputy Director of the Office of Museum Services, and the General Counsel of the Institute shall be nonvoting members of the Museum and Library Services Board.
(c) Terms
(1) In general
Each member of the Museum and Library Services Board appointed under subparagraph (D) or (E) of subsection (b)(1) shall serve for a term of 5 years.
(2) Authority to adjust terms
The terms of the members appointed to the Museum and Library Service Board shall be adjusted by the President as necessary to ensure that the terms of not more than four members expire in the same year. Such adjustments shall be carried out through designation of the adjusted term at the time of appointment.
(3) Vacancies
Any member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term for which the predecessor of the member was appointed.
(4) Reappointment
No appointive member of the Museum and Library Services Board who has been a member for more than 7 consecutive years shall be eligible for reappointment.
(5) Service until successor takes office
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, an appointive member of the Museum and Library Services Board shall serve after the expiration of the term of the member until the successor to the member takes office.
(d) Duties and powers
(1) In general
The Museum and Library Services Board shall advise the Director on general policies with respect to the duties, powers, and authority of the Institute relating to museum, library, and information services.
(2) National awards and medals
The Museum and Library Services Board shall advise the Director in awarding national awards and medals under
(e) Chairperson
The Director shall serve as Chairperson of the Museum and Library Services Board.
(f) Secretary
The General Counsel of the Institute shall serve as Secretary of the Museum and Library Services Board.
(g) Meetings
(1) In general
The Museum and Library Services Board shall meet not less than 2 times each year and at the call of the Director.
(2) Vote
All decisions by the Museum and Library Services Board with respect to the exercise of its duties and powers shall be made by a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present and authorized to vote.
(h) Quorum
A majority of the voting members of the Museum and Library Services Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at official meetings, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(i) Compensation and travel expenses
(1) Compensation
Each member of the Museum and Library Services Board who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government may be compensated at a rate to be fixed by the President, but not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of pay authorized for a position above grade GS–15 of the General Schedule under
(2) Travel expenses
Each member of the Museum and Library Services Board shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of
(j) Coordination
The Director, with the advice of the Museum and Library Services Board, shall coordinate the development and implementation of policies and activities as described in subsections (f) and (g) of
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 207 of
Another prior section 207 of
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(i)(II).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsecs. (f) to (j).
2012—Subsec. (b)(1)(D), (E).
2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(D) to (F).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (i).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
Amendment by
§9106. Contributions
The Institute is authorized to solicit, accept, receive, and invest in the name of the United States, gifts, bequests, or devises of money and other property or services and to use such property or services in furtherance of the functions of the Institute. Any proceeds from such gifts, bequests, or devises, after acceptance by the Institute, shall be paid by the donor or the representative of the donor to the Director. The Director shall enter the proceeds in a special-interest bearing account to the credit of the Institute for the purposes specified in each case.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2003—
§9107. Awards and medals
The Director, with the advice of the Museum and Library Services Board, may annually award national awards and medals for library and museum services to outstanding libraries and museums that have made significant contributions in service to their communities.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2010—
§9108. Policy research, data collection, analysis and modeling, evaluation, and dissemination
(a) In general
The Director shall regularly support and conduct, as appropriate, policy research, data collection, analysis and modeling, evaluation, and dissemination of information to extend and improve the Nation's museum, library, and information services.
(b) Objectives
The objectives of the policy research, data collection, analysis and modeling, evaluation, and dissemination of information carried out under this section include the following:
(1) To enhance and expand the capacity of museums, libraries, and information services to anticipate, respond to, and meet the evolving needs of communities and the public, including by identifying trends and developments that may impact the need for and delivery of services.
(2) To provide information and data on the role, value, and impact of museum, library, and information resources, including the identification of trends and potential gaps in the availability and use of museum and library services by their communities and the public.
(3) To measure the effectiveness of museums, libraries, and information services throughout the United States, including the impact of Federal programs authorized under this chapter.
(4) To identify indicators and outcomes that can be used to create enhancements to the efficiency and efficacy of museum, library, and information services.
(5) To promote advancement and growth in museum, library, and information services through sharing of best practices and effective strategies in order to better serve the people of the United States.
(6) To facilitate planning for, and building of, institutional capacity in order to improve—
(A) museum, library, and information services at the national, State, local, and regional levels; and
(B) international communications and cooperative networks.
(7) To support and enhance collaborative professional networks and consortia that use shared, meaningful, and actionable data analysis and modeling to advance museum, library, and information services and address community needs.
(c) Authority to contract and enter into other arrangements
The Director is authorized to enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other arrangements with Federal agencies, public and private organizations, and other entities with expertise the Director determines appropriate, to further the objectives described in subsection (b) and to carry out the responsibilities under subsection (f).
(d) Consultation and public engagement
In carrying out subsection (a) and in furtherance of the objectives described in subsection (b), the Director—
(1) shall conduct ongoing collaboration (as determined appropriate by the Director) and consult with—
(A) State library administrative agencies; and
(B) National, State, tribal, and regional museum and library organizations; and
(2) may also collaborate or consult with—
(A) cooperative networks of geographic- or discipline-based museums and libraries; and
(B) other applicable agencies, organizations (including international organizations), entities (including entities with expertise in the fields of data collection, analysis and modeling, and evaluation), and community stakeholders.
(e) Assistance to museums and libraries
The Director shall provide technical support and assistance (and other resources, to the extent practicable) to ensure consistency in data reporting and help the museum and library fields with meeting the objectives of this section.
(f) Dissemination
(1) In general
Each year, the Director shall widely disseminate, as appropriate to further the objectives described in subsection (b)—
(A) the results, data, reports, findings, studies, surveys, and other information obtained under this section;
(B) the means and approaches by which the objectives described in subsection (b) were accomplished; and
(C) information regarding the manner and extent to which collaboration and consultation were conducted, as required by subsection (d).
(2) Formats to be used
The information described in paragraph (1) shall be shared in formats that facilitate access and ease of use and are searchable.
(g) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2025.
(2) Availability of funds
Sums appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year shall remain available for obligation until expended.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), was in the original "this Act" and was translated as reading "this title", meaning title II of
Amendments
2018—
Subsecs. (a) to (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1).
2010—
"(1) shall be conducted in ongoing consultation with—
"(A) State library administrative agencies;
"(B) State, regional, and national library and museum organizations; and
"(C) other relevant agencies and organizations;
"(2) shall identify national needs for, and trends of, museum and library services provided with funds made available under subchapters II and III of this chapter;
"(3) shall report on the impact and effectiveness of programs conducted with funds made available by the Institute in addressing such needs; and
"(4) shall identify, and disseminate information on, the best practices of such programs to the agencies and entities described in paragraph (1)."
§9109. Prohibition on use of funds for construction
No funds appropriated to carry out this chapter, subchapter II of this chapter, or subchapter III of this chapter may be used for construction expenses.
(
§9110. Hearings
The Director is authorized to conduct hearings at such times and places as the Director determines appropriate for carrying out the purposes of this subchapter.
(
§9111. Administrative funds
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Director shall establish one account to be used to pay the Federal administrative costs of carrying out this chapter, and not more than $17,000,000 of the total funds appropriated under
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act" and was translated as reading "this title", meaning title II of
Amendments
2018—