This memorandum of understanding establishes the basis for mutual understanding and cooperation between the LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS of WASHINGTON D.C., VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO, KENTUCKY, INDIANA, ILLINOIS, MISSOURI, IOWA, KANSAS, NEBRASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, MONTANA, IDAHO, and OREGON - hereinafter referred to as the TRAIL STATES LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS - and the U.S. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS).
This memorandum summarizes how the parties intend to create an alliance for the purpose of the creation and implementation of the CORPS OF DISCOVERY II project for the NATIONAL LEWIS AND CLARK BICENTENNIAL commemoration. The parties will engage in working together to expedite the program and to make it as meaningful, educational, and significant as possible to the citizens of each state involved. Leadership within the Trail States Library Associations will be provided by the designated representatives from each state and their committees, with Cheryl J. Heser of the Montana Library Association acting as liaison for communication between the Trail States Library Associations and the National Park Service representatives.
It is understood that this memorandum of understanding provides a framework to pursue cooperative projects related to Corps of Discovery II. Any exchange of funds or other tangible resources in furthering the purposes of this memorandum will require execution of a separate written instrument in accordance with applicable law.
Agreed upon activities:
RESOURCE AND INFORMATION LOCATION FOR EXHIBITS
The Trail States Library Associations will act as communication liaisons with the public, academic, special, and school libraries within their states to locate resources for information for the development of exhibits and activities for Corps of Discovery II.
MEETING ROOMS
The Trail States Library Associations will establish communication with libraries in the locations chosen by the National Park Service for "town meetings" or other activities associated with the Corps of Discovery II visit at each location. Where possible, they will encourage those libraries to provide or to arrange for local meeting rooms.
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND LOCAL MARKETING ASSISTANCE
In cooperation with the designated Public Information Officer for the National Park Service, the Trail States Library Associations will work with a network of libraries in the locations chosen by the National Park Service for presentation of Corps of Discovery II. They will assist those libraries in providing or assisting with local publicity for the town meetings and for the visit of Corps of Discovery II. In many cases, the libraries in the network can simply coordinate efforts with the local Chambers of Commerce and other entities with an interest in the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial observance. Examples of activities might include providing articles to local newspapers, notices to local radio stations, distribution of posters or brochures, and special invitations to groups or individuals to support or enhance the meetings or actual visits.
The level of involvement of each library remains at the discretion of the library directors, with communication and support from the Trail States Library Associations. Those association representatives may enhance this part of the cooperative efforts by providing templates for news releases, radio spots, etc.
LOCAL HISTORY AND STORY TELLING
One important aspect of library involvement in the visits of Corps of Discovery II throughout the Trail States is to take advantage of the opportunity to supplement the program with local history exhibits and activities, some connected with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and others related to other local history. The Trail States Library Associations will encourage and facilitate library involvement in promoting local history.
The National Park Service also considers storytelling, both related to Lewis and Clark and also related to other local history, an important part of the Corps of Discovery II mission. The Trail States Library Associations can assist in encouraging and facilitating library participation in providing places for storytelling and promoting local participation.
PROMOTION & DISSEMINATION OF LEWISANDCLARKGNET.ORG
The Trail States Library Associations will collaborate with the Peter Kiewit Institute and the National Park Service in promoting the LewisandClarkgNet.org website. This promotion will be accomplished through dissemination of brochures, links on websites where appropriate, and referring educations and the public to this resource. The website will feature searchable online databases along with traditional resources; online digital videos of presentations and interviews from Corps of Discovery II as it travels along the Trail; and GIS systems that will provide user-friendly navigation to all of the above. Furthermore, all members of the Trail States Library Associations are encouraged to submit new resources to the site, to post reviews of the existing resources, and to give feedback to the LewisandClarkgNet.org staff.
CONDITIONS OF TRAIL STATES LIBRARY ASSOC. INVOLVEMENT
It is understood that the principal role of the Trail States Library Associations in this cooperative agreement is to establish committees to provide communication and leadership for libraries in communities involved with Corps of Discovery II. The Associations cannot guarantee any level of individual library participation, although every effort will be made to enable libraries to participate and to foster a positive attitude of enrichment and opportunity from this cooperative effort.