The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has posted useful information and links on the Federal-State Partnerships for Museums. The Federal-State Partnerships Coalition is a group of 63 organizations, formed to advocate for federal grants that would come from IMLS to each state and then be distributed to museums based on the evidence of need as articulated at the state level, not the need determined at the national level. The Coalition has worked hard to be sure the museum field understands the benefits from such a program, and that members of Congress who work on IMLS legislation hear from the field that they should support the movement when IMLS is reauthorized (scheduled for 9/09).
The site includes information about the effort, frequently asked questions, a link to instructions on what to do right now to help, and a sample letter to congress members in support of IMLS.