Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for florida department of state

florida department of state

Secretary of State Announces Second Annual “March of Museums” Initiative

Posted on

Florida Department of State and museums statewide
partner to share variety and versatility of museums

Secretary of State Ken Detzner and the Florida Department of State today announced the second annual “March of Museums” celebrating the variety and versatility of museums in Florida’s communities. In 2017, the department piloted March of Museums with partner museums in Tallahassee. Building on this successful launch, the 2018 March of Museums has expanded statewide to include the vast and diverse array of museums that populate the Sunshine State.

“As Florida’s Chief Cultural Officer, I am proud of the success of last year’s ‘March of Museums’ and I am excited to expand this initiative statewide,” said Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “From art to animals, from sports to science, and from history to horticulture, Florida has an incredible array of museums that encourage exploration and learning. March of Museums celebrates the important services museums provide to our communities.”

Museums statewide have partnered with the Florida Department of State to encourage Floridians and visitors to Florida to experience the many ways that museums serve their communities.  The department is hosting MarchofMuseums.com, which offers a listing of museums by region and highlights the mission, collections, and/or events of each institution during the month of March.

The department encourages visitors and Floridians to take advantage of this initiative to visit one of the partner museums for a new experience, to spend some time at one of their favorite museums and to share their pictures on their favorite social media platform using #MarchOfMuseums.

Diaz Qualifies By Petition

Posted on

The District 103 state representative has secured more than enough
valid petition signatures to qualify for the Senate District 36 ballot.

The Manny Diaz Campaign today announced that the Florida Department of State has verified that he has exceeded the 2,311 signatures required for ballot access. Diaz, who has represented District 103 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2012, is running for the District 36 seat in the Florida Senate.
“I’m excited that our campaign has reached this milestone, and I’m very grateful to the friends and neighbors who were part of this effort,” said Diaz. “I think over the last six years my fellow Miami-Dade residents have gotten to know me and my conservative record well. It’s been an honor to serve in the Florida House, and I look forward to continuing to work hard in the Senate for better education opportunities and for a stronger economy.”
Diaz has been a leader on education reform during his time in the Florida House. During the 2018 legislative session, he is serving as Chair of the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee. He also sits on the Education and Appropriations Committees, the Health Innovation Subcommittee, and the Joint Legislative Budget Commission.

Paid by Manny Diaz Jr., Republican, for State Senator

Florida Department of State to Present Cultural Arts and Folk Heritage Awards

Posted on

Secretary of State Ken Detzner today announced that the Florida Department of State Cultural Arts and Folk Heritage Awards will take place in the Capitol’s 22nd Floor Observation Deck on January 24, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The ceremony will include a presentation of the Florida Folklife Program’s Folk Heritage Awards, the Division of Cultural Affairs’ Diversity and Inclusion Awards, and the induction of recording artists The Bellamy Brothers and visual artist Purvis Young into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.
“From music to art to dance and everything in between, these individuals and organizations represent such a broad spectrum of our state’s rich and diverse arts and culture community,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “Their work has and continues to inspire and bring people together and it is an honor to recognize the award winners for their role in elevating arts and culture in Florida.”
Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. for a reception beginning at 6:00 p.m., with the Awards Ceremony to begin at 7:00 p.m.
The award winners are listed below.
Florida Folk Heritage Awards:
Pedro Bullaudy, Tampa
Marshall Davis, Miami
Jeff Klinkenberg, Tampa
Diversity and Inclusion Awards:
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, North Miami Beach
ArtSouth, a Not-for-Profit Corporation, South Miami
Asian Cultural Association of Central Florida, Longwood
Atlantic Center for the Arts, Inc., New Smyrna Beach
Coexistence, Inc., Embracing Our Differences, Sarasota
Creative Clay, St. Petersburg
Florida Tax Collectors’ Kids Tag Art program, Fort Myers
Dr. Gary Keating, the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, Fort Lauderdale
Henry B. Plant Museum, Tampa
Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, Jacksonville
Karen Peterson and Dancers, Inc., Miami
Michael Killoren, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg
Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center, Miami
NAEMI (National Art Exhibitions of the Mentally Ill Inc.), Miami
Orlando Repertory Theatre, Orlando
Partnership for Strong Families, Gainesville
Suzanne Pomerantzeff, Academy of Ballet Arts, St. Petersburg
The Arc of Palm Beach County, Riviera Beach
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida, Inc., Sarasota
Florida Artists Hall of Fame:
The Bellamy Brothers, Darby
Purvis Young, Miami
About The Florida Folklife Program
The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, this program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. For more information about Florida folklife, visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife.
About the Florida Artists Hall of Fame
Established by the Florida Legislature in 1986, the Florida Artists Hall of Fame recognizes persons, living or deceased, who have made significant contributions to the arts in Florida either as performing or practicing artists in their disciplines. These individuals contribute to Florida’s national and international reputation as a state with a sustained commitment to the development of cultural excellence. The Florida Artists Hall of Fame currently consists of more than 50 inductees, including musician and performer Ray Charles, actor and director Burt Reynolds, writers Zora Neale Hurston, Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway, filmmaker Victor Nunez, and visual artists Duane Hanson, Robert Rauschenberg and James Rosenquist. For more information about the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, click here. 
About the Division of Cultural Affairs
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.
About The Division of Historical Resources
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program and the Florida Folklife program which identifies and promotes the state’s traditional culture. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus, archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information, visit flheritage.com.

Governor Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future Budget Invests More Than $109.7 Million for Department of State

Posted on

Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner today applauded Governor Rick Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019, which invests $109.7 million in the Department of State. Governor Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget makes key investments to continue Florida’s successful elections administration, improve business efficiency, and supports cultural heritage tourism and economic development.
Governor Scott said, “Ensuring the continued safety and security of elections information is the top priority for the Department of State and these investments will help support this critical goal. I am also proud to recommend investments in Florida’s many historic and cultural treasures that bring families and visitors to communities across our great state each year.”
Governor Scott’s proposed budget includes:

  • $488,693 and five staff positions in recurring funds from general revenue to create a cyber-security section at DOS which will bolster the current staff and enhance the Department’s ability to provide security for its mission critical systems.
  • $12 million in nonrecurring funding from general revenue to replace the aging SunBiz system, an electronic business filing system, which will ensure increased efficiency and security.
  • $350,000 for updated and increased security monitoring for all Department properties.
  • $14.3 million in grant funding for cultural, historical and library grant programs which will provide additional funding for these programs over the Department’s base budget.

Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner said, “Governor Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget will help Florida continue to safeguard voter information, facilitate efficiency and accuracy for Florida business filings, and make critical investments that improve the quality of life for all Floridians. Governor Scott’s commitment to investments in library grants, cultural programs, and historic preservation support cultural heritage tourism and economic development, ensuring Florida continues to be one of the world’s best places to live and visit for generations to come.”
Paul Lux, Supervisor of Elections, Okaloosa County, said, “Cyber criminals are constantly rethinking their strategies; Governor Scott’s commitment provides additional resources that help to ensure implementation of innovative safeguards to combat potential cyber threats.”
Malinda Horton, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Museums, said, “We applaud Governor Scott for his continued dedication to cultural and museum grant funding. Cultural organizations and museums provide many benefits to communities throughout Florida and strengthen the economy and job creation.”
Katharine Dickenson, Member of the Florida Council on Arts & Culture, said, “Funding for culturally-based activities improves quality of life and increases opportunities for all Floridians. We thank Governor Scott for his support of arts and culture in the State of Florida.”
Marion Almy, Chair of the Florida Historical Commission, said, “Governor Scott understands that investments in historic properties are an investment in Florida’s future. Historic preservation serves as an economic engine for Florida communities and supports cultural heritage tourism.”
Doug Crane, Chair, State Library Council, and Library Director, Palm Beach County Library System, said, “Libraries provide critical services to our communities by supporting early learning and providing homework assistance to career exploration, information literacy, and lifelong learning. We are grateful that Governor Scott recognizes the significant contributions that libraries provide to Florida citizens.”

Certification of State House District 44 Special Election and State House District 58 Special Primary Election

Posted on

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections announces the following meeting of the Elections Canvassing Commission.
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Cabinet Meeting Room, LL03, The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida
SUBJECT: Certification of State House District 44 Special Election and State House District 58 Special Primary Election
PARTICIPANTS: Members of the State Elections Canvassing Commission will include Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. All will be participating via phone.

Florida Department of State Announces Upcoming Launch of New Online Voter Registration Website

Posted on

RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov is secure, convenient and easy-to-use 

The Florida Department of State today announced the upcoming launch of RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, the state’s new online voter registration website that offers Florida residents another way to register to vote or update an existing registration that is convenient, secure and easy-to-use. The website will go live on Sunday, October 1, 2017 as directed by the Florida Legislature in Section 97.0525 Florida Statutes.
“At the direction of the Florida Legislature, the department has been hard at work the last two years spearheading the effort to create and implement an online voter registration website that provides Floridians with a secure and more easily accessible way to register to vote,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “I want to thank our key partners, Florida’s 67 county Supervisors of Elections, for their important role in ensuring the success of online voter registration. The right to vote is sacred in our country and I hope that with this new and convenient method, more Floridians will register to vote and engage in the electoral process.”
In 2015, the Florida Legislature passed and Governor Rick Scott signed into law a bill directing the department to implement online voter registration on October 1, 2017. Florida joins 35 other states and the District of Columbia that have online voter registration available to their residents.
“In today’s digital age, it is important to offer Florida voters a way to complete and submit a voter registration application electronically,” said Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE) President and Taylor County Supervisor of Elections Dana Southerland. “Florida Supervisors of Elections worked closely with the Department of State on the development and implementation of RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov to help ensure the website meets the needs of our constituents while maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the registration process.”
Any Florida resident who is eligible to vote or is already registered to vote in Florida can use RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov to submit an application, update an existing registration or prefill an application form to print and deliver to a Supervisor of Elections office. Users will need a Florida driver license or state identification (ID) card and the last four digits of their social security number to complete and submit the voter registration application electronically. Once an individual’s identity is verified and the application is deemed complete, a voter information card is issued by the local Supervisor of Elections office.
RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov has multiple safeguards in place to verify and protect a person’s identity and personal information, including a state-of-the-art firewall, data encryption, captcha boxes, session time-out after inactivity and the use of multi-screens. The website requires information that only the person seeking to register or change an existing registration should know, such as the issued date of their Florida driver license or state ID card, their Florida driver license or state ID card number and the last four digits of their social security number. All of this information is verified in real-time in order for a person to complete the application process online. If the information cannot be verified, a person is not able to move forward with submitting the application electronically. Additionally, there is no retention of data within the RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov website because it is securely transmitted to an internal system. It is important to note that Florida public records laws still apply to voter registration information that is submitted electronically.
“In addition to offering Florida voters a more convenient voter registration application method, RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov will enhance government efficiency, reduce the use of paper applications and generate cost savings for tax payers,” said FSASE immediate Past President and Clay County Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless. “The new online voter registration system is a win for voters, state and local government and all tax-paying citizens of Florida.”
RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is offered in English and Spanish, is accessible for persons with disabilities and is mobile-friendly.
About the Division of Elections
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections supports the Secretary of State, Florida’s Chief Elections Officer, in ensuring that Florida has fair and accurate elections. The Division’s three bureaus; the Bureau of Election Records, Bureau of Voter Registration Services, and Bureau of Voting Systems Certification, have several responsibilities in the areas of legal compliance and elections administration to ensure that Florida’s election laws are uniformly interpreted and implemented. The Division also assists local Supervisors of Elections in their duties, and promotes enhanced public awareness and participation in the electoral process. For more information about Florida’s elections, visit dos.myflorida.com/elections.

Florida Department of State Launches Statewide Tour to Highlight the Economic Impact of Arts and Culture in Florida

Posted on

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs will partner with local agencies across the state to host the Arts and Economic Prosperity in Florida Tour, which will feature regional meetings and events to highlight the $4.68 billion economic impact of Florida’s diverse arts and culture industry and discuss how to use these results to help strengthen communities at the local level.
“Americans for the Arts’ latest study, Arts and Economic Prosperity 5, illustrates the enormous impact that arts and culture have on our state’s economy,” said Secretary Detzner. “With more than 132,000 jobs supported and $492.3 million in local and state government revenue generated, arts and culture help make Florida a great place to live, work and play. We are proud to announce this series of events to celebrate and spread the word about the importance of not-for-profit arts and culture in every corner of the Sunshine State.”
The regional meetings will focus on sharing methods and strategies for organizations to best use the results of the study in their own work and advocacy efforts, as well as highlighting successful local programs and organizations.
The tour will include stops in Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Tallahassee and Pensacola. A full schedule is below and more details will be released in the coming weeks for each event.

  • August 30, 2017 – Jacksonville
  • October 4, 2017 – Orlando
  • November 2017 (Date TBA) – Miami
  • January 23-25, 2018 – Tallahassee
  • March 2018 (Date TBA) – Pensacola

In addition to the regional tour events, grant workshops will be held in rural areas of the state to educate communities on the grant opportunities available through the Division of Cultural Affairs to support the efforts of local cultural organizations. The grant workshops will also provide information about the results of Arts and Economic Prosperity 5. More information on the grant workshops, including dates and locations, will be announced soon.
Visit our website for more information on the economic impact of the arts, including local studies. To view the Arts and Economic Prosperity 5: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Their Audiences in the State of Florida report, please click here.
For more information on the Division of Cultural Affairs, please visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.
About the Division of Cultural Affairs
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.

Florida Department of State Highlights $4.68 Billion Economic Impact of Arts and Culture in Florida

Posted on

Arts & Economic Prosperity Report shows nonprofit arts
and culture is a significant industry in the state of Florida

Americans for the Arts, a national nonprofit organization for advancing arts in America, released the Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 report, which highlights the significant impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences in the state of Florida. According to the report, the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Florida generates $4.68 billion in total economic activity, supports 132,366 full-time jobs and delivers $492.3 million in local and state government revenue.
“At the Florida Department of State, we believe that Culture Builds Florida, and this report sends a strong signal that supporting the arts and culture industry helps to build Florida’s economy and strengthen our state’s identity as the best place to live, work and play in the United States,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “Thanks to the support of Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature, the department provides funding, programs and resources, including grants, to help promote and grow Florida’s arts and cultural industry at the local and state level, and we encourage arts and cultural organizations to reach out to us so we can be of service.”
Other highlights of the report include:

  • Spending by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations totaled $2.29 billion in Florida during fiscal year 2015. This spending supports jobs, generates household income for families and supports local businesses.
  • During 2015, a total of 121,264 volunteers donated a total of 6,522,918 hours to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Florida. This represents an estimated value of $153,679,948 in donated time.
  • Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Florida reported receiving in-kind contributions worth an estimated $71,073,471 in 2015.
  • The nonprofit arts and culture industry leverages a significant amount of event-related spending by its audiences. To measure this impact, 35,967 event attendees were surveyed and they reported a total of $2.39 billion in event-related spending, such as eating at a restaurant, shopping in near-by stores or staying in a hotel.
  • In Florida, researchers estimate that 84.8 percent of the 70 million nonprofit arts attendees were residents and 15.2 percent were nonresidents. Nonresident attendees spent an average of 93 percent more per person than local attendees, which highlights the importance of attracting cultural tourists to reap significant economic rewards.

The last study of this depth on the economic impact of arts and culture in Florida was completed in 2009. In 2009, arts and culture generated $3.1 billion in economic activity compared to a $4.68 billion economic impact in 2015 – an increase of $1.58 billion in just six years.
The most recent study gathered data from fiscal year 2015 and was conducted by surveying 1,688 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations as well as 35,967 arts and cultural audience members in Florida. The Division of Cultural Affairs gathered data from participating organizations statewide. Funding for the Florida-specific study was provided by Citizens for Florida Arts.
To view the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Their Audiences in the State of Florida report, please click here.
About the Division of Cultural Affairs
The Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.

Florida Folk Heritage Award Winner Haiqiong Deng to be Honored in Ceremony in Tallahassee

Posted on


The Florida Folklife Program will honor 2017 Florida Folk Heritage Award recipient, Haiqiong Deng, at the Florida State University World Music Concert featuring the FSU Chinese and blues music ensembles at Opperman Music Hall on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public, and recognizes Mrs. Deng’s achievements as a traditional Chinese musician and educator.

Haiqiong Deng

“We invite the community to take part in celebrating Ms. Deng’s contributions,” said Secretary Detzner. “Her dedication and life-long commitment to preserving and promoting Chinese culture and music has contributed deeply to Florida’s cultural heritage.”
Haiqiong Deng was born in Lanzhou, China, where she began her studies in Chinese traditional music. She focused on the zheng, an ancient, 21-stringed instrument with a long and rich presence in Chinese culture. After graduating from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, she travelled internationally as a soloist and performed at Carnegie Hall in 2003. Eventually, she settled in Florida where she serves as the Director of the Chinese Music Ensemble at Florida State University.
Since 2001, Ms. Deng has dedicated herself to teaching Chinese music to a diverse body of students. She uses music as a tool to reinforce knowledge and appreciation of cultural heritage. Among her latest projects is an educational series called Echoes of Nature, which combines three key aspects of Chinese culture: music, calligraphy and art. Through creative partnerships and collaborations with composers, master artists, museums and educational institutions, Ms. Deng actively promotes various forms of traditional Chinese culture, and explores the boundaries of musical expression.
The Florida Department of State presents Florida Folk Heritage Awards annually to citizens who have made long-standing contributions to Florida’s cultural heritage by perpetuating community traditions. Like the National Heritage Awards, the Florida Folk Heritage Awards honor the state’s most influential tradition bearers for excellence, significance and authenticity as folk artists or folklife advocates. Information on how to make a nomination is available here and additional information regarding past recipients, including photos and bios, is available here.
The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. For further information about the Florida Folklife Program, contact State Folklorist Amanda Hardeman at 850.245.6427 or visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife.
About the Florida Folklife Program
The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, the program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation.

Florida Department of State Provides Online Resources for World War I Centennial

Posted on

Florida Department of State

Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner today announced that the Florida Department of State will join the nation in recognizing the centennial anniversary of the United States’ entry into the First World War by providing online educational resources that tell the story of Florida’s participation in WWI through the state’s historical documents, images and artifacts. 

“On April 6, 2017, as our nation observes the centennial of the First World War, the State of Florida joins in recognizing the extraordinary sacrifices of those who served overseas, and on the homefront in the ‘Great War’,” said Secretary Detzner. “The Florida Department of State has developed online resources that provide a foundation for understanding the history of Florida’s involvement in the war, and the lasting impact of the conflict on Florida citizens and the future of our state.”

Florida Memory, the digital outreach program of the State Library and Archives of Florida features a new online exhibit, Florida in WWI. Florida Memory provides free online access from the collections of the State of Florida to archival resources that illuminate the state’s history and culture. 

In partnership with the United States World War One Centennial Commission (WW1CC), the Florida Division of Historical Resources has created a Florida website hosted on the Commission’s webpage along with over a dozen other online state websites. The WW1CC webpage is the online portal to the United States World War I Centennial Commission which is in charge of planning and coordinating national commemorations of the centennial of World War I. The Commission is also working to establish a National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.

When the United States entered World War I (1914-1918) on April 6, 1917, Florida was a sparsely populated state, with fewer than 1 million inhabitants. But thousands of Floridians joined the millions of other Americans heeding President Woodrow Wilson’s call to make the world “safe for democracy.” Although the United States was involved in the global conflict for only 19 months, the war significantly affected the social, economic and environmental conditions of our state. Of the 4 million American men and women who joined the armed services between 1917 and 1918, over 42,000 were Floridians, serving in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard.

On the homefront, countless others performed their patriotic duty by purchasing liberty bonds, volunteering with service organizations, and conserving food and raw materials. The state’s climate and abundance of land made it an ideal location for military training, technological development, and agricultural production.

About Florida Memory
Florida Memory provides free online access to significant photographs, films, sound recordings and original documents from the collections of the State Library and Archives of Florida. With over seven million visitors per month worldwide, Florida Memory chooses materials for digitization that illuminate significant events and individuals in the state’s history and help educate Floridians and millions of people around the world about Florida history and culture. Florida Memory is funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services. For more information, visit floridamemory.com. 

About the Division of Library and Information Services
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services is the designated information resource provider for the Florida Legislature and all state agencies. The Division coordinates and helps fund activities of public libraries; provides a framework for statewide library initiatives; provides archival and records management services; and preserves, collects and makes available the published and unpublished documentary history of the state. Working in partnership with citizens, state employees, librarians, archivists and records managers, the Division seeks to ensure access to materials and information that benefit all of the people of Florida. For more information, visit info.florida.gov. 

About The Division of Historical Resources
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program and the Florida Folklife program which identifies and promotes the state’s traditional culture. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus, archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information, visit flheritage.com.