FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2012

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Media Contacts
Chris Bauer / Kim Ramsden, PR Co-Directors, (651) 221-9423
Sarah Imholte, PR Coordinator, (651) 221-9412

PRESIDENT OBAMA APPOINTS SCIENCE MUSEUM PRESIDENT TO NATIONAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES BOARD

St. Paul, Minn. – President Barack Obama has appointed Dr. Eric Jolly, the president of the Science Museum of Minnesota, to the National Museum and Library Services Board. On November 15, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg administered the oath of office to Jolly at a swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC. Jolly will continue in his position as president of the Science Museum while serving in this volunteer post, the term of which runs through December 2016.

The National Museum and Library Services Board (NMLSB) is an advisory body that includes the director and deputy directors of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and 20 presidentially-appointed members of the general public who have demonstrated expertise in, or commitment to, library or museum services. Informed by its collectively vast experience and knowledge, the NMLSB advises the IMLS director on general policy and practices, and on selections for the National Medals for Museum and Library Service. For more information, see http://www.imls.gov/about/national_museum_and_library_services_board.aspx.

IMLS Director Susan Hildreth said, "I am delighted to welcome Dr. Eric Jolly to the board. Through his service, he will help libraries and museums throughout the United States contribute to the educational, cultural and civic life of our nation. Dr. Jolly is a well-recognized expert, and we are looking forward to having his strategic advice to strengthen IMLS's grant making, research and policy advisory roles."

"I'm honored to receive this nomination from the President and to be part of the museum and library systems that are so important to our nation," said Jolly. "There are more than 17,500 museums and 123,000 libraries in the United States, and they play a critical role in supporting our country's education and community–building efforts. I'm looking forward to being a part of the strategic planning for our future."

Dr. Eric J. Jolly has been president of the Science Museum of Minnesota since 2004, where he has earned a name for himself as a passionate advocate for informal science education. From 1995 to 2004, he served as senior scientist and vice president at the Education Development Center, a nonprofit research and design organization in Newton, Massachusetts. Dr. Jolly was assistant to the chancellor and director of Affirmative Action and Diversity Programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1992 to 1995, assistant dean of University College at the University of Rhode Island from 1989 to 1992, and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana State University from 1987 to 1989. He served on the board of directors of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and the Association of Science-Technology Centers, as well as the board of trustees of the National Museum of the American Indian, and the senior advisory board of the University of Arizona Science Center. Dr. Jolly received a B.A. from the University of Rhode Island, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Its mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Through grant making, policy development and research, it helps libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. Follow us on Twitter @US_IMLS.

The Science Museum of Minnesota is the Upper Midwest's most popular museum, inspiring more than one million people each year to explore their changing world through science. Among the nation's largest and most esteemed science museums, the Science Museum conducts research, collects and preserves artifacts, produces and distributes award-winning exhibits and giant screen films, and offers educational programs for children, families, and adults. For more information, call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

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