WASHINGTON – The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University has been awarded a $140,000 grant from the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) of the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC). Moorland-Spingarn' is one of the 14 grantees awarded and. The IMLS is an independent federal agency that provides grants to libraries and museum to sustain culture and heritage.

“The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is delighted to receive one of the 2019 Institute of Museum and Library Services grants to strengthen African American history and culture,” says Rhea Ballard-Thrower, M.I.L.S., J.D., executive director of Howard University Libraries. “The MSRC will proudly administer this grant, which emphasizes the significant contributions black architects have had on the field of design.  The IMLS grant will support the MSRC in increasing access to archival collections related to African American history.”

The grant will support the digitization of Moorland-Spingarn Research Center’s collections to support research, access, and preservation through December 2020. The centerpiece of the project will be the creation of the Archives of African American Architects Digital Collection, drawings and blueprints created by three African American architects.

“The completion of this project will go far to support MSRC’s goal of increasing access to archival collections related to African American history and creating digital copies of our collection to support preservation efforts,” says Lopez Matthews, Jr. Ph.D., digital production librarian and history subject specialist at Howard University Libraries and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.

“It will also help us train African American students for jobs in the field of digital preservation.  Throughout their tenure they will develop their archival skills in three areas: document handling, digitization and digital preservation.”

The Moorland–Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) is recognized as one of the world's largest and most comprehensive repositories for the documentation of the history and culture of people of African descent in Africa, the Americas, and other parts of the world. As one of Howard University's major research facilities, the MSRC collects, preserves, organizes and makes available for research a wide range of resources chronicling the Black experience. 

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(Photo: Students and staff reading in the Moorland–Spingarn Research Center - courtesy of Moorland–Spingarn Research Center.)

About the Institute of Museums and Library Services

The Institute of Museums and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center

The Moorland–Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) is recognized as one of the world's largest and most comprehensive repositories for the documentation of the history and culture of people of African descent in Africa, the Americas, and other parts of the world. As one of Howard University's major research facilities, the MSRC collects, preserves, organizes and makes available for research a wide range of resources chronicling the Black experience. 

The Howard University Libraries

The Howard University Libraries is the main library system for Howard University. It includes the iconic Founders library, School of Social Work Library, School of Business Library and School of Divinity Library. The building, named The Founders Library in honor of the 17 men who founded Howard University, serves as the iconic symbol of the University. The library houses over 1 million volumes, the Channing Pollock Theater Collection, and is the home to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu