Museum and Library Services Act of 2003

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on August 1, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 - Amends the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA), including its subchapter B, the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and its subchapter C, the newly-titled Museum Services Act (MSA), to extend the authorization of appropriations and revise programs.

Title I: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Revises MLSA subchapter A general provisions to set forth definitions of "obscene" and "determined to be obscene."

(Sec. 102) Replaces the National Museum Services Board with a National Museum and Library Services Board, established in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

(Sec. 103) Requires the IMLS Director to: (1) ensure coordination with certain activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and other Federal activities; and (2) establish procedures for reviewing and evaluating applications to receive financial assistance under MLSA.

Prohibits use of funds under MLSA (including LSTA and MSA) for projects determined to be obscene. Sets forth procedures for treatment of such projects.

(Sec. 104) Provides for Board establishment and membership. Directs the President, with Senate advice and consent, to appoint U.S. citizens as voting members of the Board as follows: (1) ten from among individuals who are specially qualified by education, training, or experience in library services, or their commitment to libraries, with five of these being professional library or information specialists, at least one knowledgeable about electronic information and one about information needs of underserved communities; and (2) ten who are specially qualified by education, training, or experience in museum services, or their commitment to museums, with five of these being museum professionals, some affiliated with certain types of museums. Makes the following nonvoting members of the Board: the IMLS Director, the Deputy Director for the Office of Library Services, the Deputy Director for the Office of Museum Services, and the Chairman of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.

(Sec. 105) Revises requirements for annual national awards to outstanding libraries and museums that have made significant contributions in service to their communities.

Requires the IMLS Director to conduct and publish analyses of the impact of museum and library services.

Prohibits use of funds under MLSA (including LSTA and MSA) for construction expenses.

Title II: Library Services and Technology - (Sec. 203) Extends the authorization of appropriations for library services and technology through FY 2009. Increases the percentage of such funds which may be used for Federal administrative costs.

(Sec. 204) Increases the alternative minimum allotment to States under certain conditions.

(Sec. 206) Revises required uses of grants to States to include: (1) expanding services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages; (2) developing library services that provide all users access to information through local, State, regional, national, and international electronic networks; (3) developing public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations; and (4) targeting library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills.

(Sec. 207) Allows national leadership grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to be used for recruitment, as well as education and training, of library and information science personnel.

Title III: Museum Services - Museum Services Act - Renames and revises museum services provisions under MLSA subchapter C as the Museum Services Act.

(Sec. 302) Defines "museum" to include aquariums, arboretums, botanical gardens, art museums, children's museums, general museums, historic houses and sites, history museums, nature centers, natural history and anthropology museums, planetariums, science and technology centers, specialized museums, and zoological parks.

(Sec. 303) Revises the types of museum services activities which may be supported under MSA to include: (1) providing learning and access to collections, information, and educational resources in a variety of formats (including exhibitions, programs, publications, and websites) for individuals of all ages; (2) building learning partnerships with schools and developing museum resources and programs in support of State and local school curricula; (3) assessing, conserving, researching, maintaining, and exhibiting collections, and providing educational programs to the public through the use of collections; (4) greater collaboration among museums, libraries, schools, and other community organizations in order to share resources and strengthen communities; (5) use of new technologies and broadcast media to enhance access to museum collections, programs, and services; (6) services to people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds and to individuals with disabilities; (7) professional development and technical assistance programs; and (8) research, program evaluation, and the collection and dissemination of information to museum professionals and the public.

(Sec. 304) Repeals provisions for a National Award for Museum Service (replaced by national awards for museum service and for library service).

(Sec. 305) Extends the authorization of appropriations for museum services through FY 2009.

(Sec. 306) Provides that subchapter C of MLSA shall be called the Museum Services Act.

Title IV: National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act - (Sec. 401) Amends the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act with respect to contributions and membership.

Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 501) Amends the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act to increase maximum limits on liability amounts.

(Sec. 502) Renames the Capital Children's Museum in Washington, D.C., the National Children's Museum.