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Idaho Museum of Natural History seeks operating support for mobile museum to reach rural schools
Summary
Museum leaders told the committee they have a three‑year $180,000 grant to buy a van and fund part‑time staff, and asked for modest state operating support to sustain a mobile museum program that will expand visits to rural Idaho schools and libraries.
The Idaho Museum of Natural History in Pocatello presented a request for FY2026 operating support tied to a new mobile museum. Kevin Campbell, Legislative Services Office analyst, said the museum has 8.2 authorized FTE and typically spends its full appropriation.
Director Leif Tapanilla told lawmakers the museum received a three‑year grant from the David B. Jones Foundation totaling $180,000. The grant includes funds to purchase a van in the first year and two years of part‑time educator funding; museum staff plan to use the vehicle to visit schools, libraries and community venues, with an anticipated 6,000 miles of travel annually under the expanded program. The museum asked for state operating support in FY2026 to cover materials, supplies and other recurring costs so the program can continue after the grant term ends.
Tapanilla said the museum already conducts outreach travel but that the mobile museum would institutionalize and expand those visits, improving access for rural counties. Committee members asked for performance measures beyond raw attendance counts and discussed outcome metrics the museum could provide to quantify educational impact.
No vote was taken. The museum director said staff will supply additional performance information and thanked the committee for its support.
