Public Education and Community Development: The Shared Mission of Libraries and Cultural Heritage Institutions.

This paper illustrates how libraries, museums, and other cultural heritage institutions are natural allies in developing and delivering public education and community service programs for lifelong learners of all ages. The paper opens by discussing how Robert S. Martin, Director of the National Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), has affirmed the shared mission of libraries and museums. It then briefly discusses the views and actions of historical figures to demonstrate that since colonial times, libraries and museums have shared the common goals of public education and community development. Discussion then focuses on historical IMLS support for library-museum collaboration to serve communities. Next discussed are definitions of the terms "culture" and "cultural heritage." Examples are then provided of three of Florida's community-based cultural heritage institutions that have impacted the community. A summary is given of factors that have led to the current emphasis on cultural heritage and on partnerships of libraries, museums, and cultural heritage institutions to serve real and virtual communities of lifelong learners. Finally, steps are suggested for the Florida Library Association's outreach to museums and other cultural heritage institutions. (Contains 40 references.) (AEF)