Interesting news from the U.S., where the Library of Congress will lead
the programme to help Iraqi libraries recover and reconstruct their
holdings (see paragraph 7 below).

Paul Auchterlonie
University of Exeter Library
Exeter (U.K.)



http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2003/22388.htm

Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
July 14, 2003
Iraq Cultural Heritage Update

An interagency working group has been formed to assist in the
rebuilding of the cultural heritage infrastructure in Iraq. The
working group will provide educational opportunities, as identified
by the Iraqis, in fields such as conservation, museum management,
library science, archaeology and cultural preservation; and will help
reconstitute their research capability and facilitate scholarly
access to Iraq's rich heritage. The Department of State is
coordinating this interagency response to assist Iraq in preserving
its cultural heritage and will help channel donations from private
sources wishing to support this effort.

U.S. Federal Government agency actions include:

* The Department of State has set aside $2 million toward
efforts to preserve Iraq's cultural heritage. The Department of State
has also received a donation up to $1 million from the Packard
Humanities Institute to assist with cultural heritage preservation in
Iraq. The Department, in cooperation with the Institute, is in the
process of providing computers, photographic equipment and related
supplies to the Iraq National Museum in Baghdad so that professional
staff can carry out their day-to-day responsibilities in museum
curatorship and administration.

* In addition, the Department of State has given a grant to the
International Council of Museums to develop the "Red List of Iraqi
Antiquities at Risk," an online reference to the types of Iraqi
cultural property that may be illicitly traded. The Department has
also created its own searchable image database of the types of
objects looted from museums and other locations in Iraq. These two
initiatives are in support of law enforcement efforts. At the
appropriate time, the Department will establish a U.S. overseas
research center in Baghdad and launch a special institute to train
Iraqi graduate students for museum and library careers. Additionally,
there are plans to undertake cultural preservation and museum
administration exchange programs to enable Iraqis to engage with
American counterparts in ways to rebuild Iraq's cultural heritage
infrastructure.

* The National Endowment for the Humanities is announcing "Recovering
Iraq's Past," an initiative that will award up to $500,000 for
projects that document, preserve, and revitalize Iraq's cultural
heritage. "Recovering Iraq's Past" aims to restore access to Iraq's
museums and library collections, in order to enhance the public's
understanding and appreciation of Iraq as the birthplace of
civilization.


* The U.S. Agency for International Development will develop a
prioritized list of buildings and equipment to be reconstituted of
which museum and libraries will be candidates; initiate a program to
re-invigorate and modernize Iraq's higher education institutions; and
will explore options of cultural-themed tourism as a component of the
future Iraq economy. The economic governance program will explore a
range of business opportunities, sectors of investment, etc., which
could include cultural tourism -- that program is currently being
competed with proposals under review

* The National Science Foundation is ready to provide awards
and convene groups of experts geared towards the identification,
recovery and preservation and conservation of scientifically relevant
archaeological and cultural heritage artifacts and the advancement of
knowledge in relevant fields.

* The Library of Congress will spearhead the work to be done
with libraries by helping to reconstitute pre-war Iraqi collections;
assist Iraqi librarians as they expand and modernize their library
system; and provide training opportunities for Iraqi librarians.

* The Institute of Museum and Library Services will support
American librarians and museum professionals in partnership with
their Iraqi counterparts to create and share digital content and
develop educational resources.


* The National Endowment for the Arts will partner with other
federal agencies, American institutions and their Iraqi counterparts
to work toward the restoration of Iraq's artistic legacy including
providing leadership and funding for the documentation, preservation
and exhibition of works of art.

The Coalition Provisional Authority is working with Iraqi experts to
protect and restore libraries, museums, and important cultural sites.
As specific needs are identified, they are communicated to donor
countries and organizations.

[End]Released on July 14, 2003


http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2003/22232.htm