>> The Institute of Museum and Library Services honors ten of the nation’s museums and libraries
for their extraordinary contributions to the communities they serve.
IMLS is the nation’s primary source of federal support for museum and libraries.
IMLS looks to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning and
cultural and civic engagement.
We congratulate the winners of the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
>> Boston Children’s Museum connects children and families to transformational experiences
and ideas in science, health, arts, humanities, and global cultures.
For 100 years, the Museum has promoted the enduring value of play, and its link to the
mental, physical and emotional health of children.
Since the launch of its school readiness programs, the Museum has served tens of thousands of
children on site and thousands more in their own neighborhoods.
Its Countdown to Kindergarten initiative has grown from a one-day event to year round programs
and exhibits.
It is a national model for early learning.
>> The Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio is defining the art museum of the 21st century.
Its Center for Creativity helps the community keep up with the present and become innovators
in the future.
There is something for everyone.
Preschoolers use the collection as a catalyst for discussion and play.
Artful Reading, a program for elementary aged children, fosters critical thinking through
classroom and museum visits and studio projects.
A special program for medical students develops observation, communication, and empathy and
older adults with dementia are paired with specially trained volunteers to foster imaginative
experiences.
>> The Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the blues.
The Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale helps the local community and world travelers to
connect with the history and culture of this unique American art form.
The museum unites diverse residents with education and community pride, while also teaching blues
history and performance skills.
A national and international magnet for blues lovers, the museum partners with local blues
festivals that bring 15,000 visitors to the town of fewer than 18,000 people.
The museum hosts performances and reaches outside their walls with a travelling trunk
show, a popular newsletter, and interactive programs on Delta musicians.
>> Since 1998, Discovery Science Center of Orange County, California, has been captivating
visitors through hands-on exhibits, signature community events and science education outreach
to students and teachers.
It works with public agencies to create unique environmental education programs that align
with California state science curriculum.
Their Water Education Programs reach 110,000 students annually to significantly reduce
water consumption.
The center’s exhibits also use immersive environments and engaging competitions to
teach families the importance of eco-friendly shopping, keeping hazardous materials out
of landfills and how recycling can preserve and protect natural resources.
>> Marshalltown Public Library in rural Iowa, is a Midwestern leader in serving a diverse
community.
With a population of 27,500, Marshalltown is home to families who speak more than 30
languages.
The library helps all community members, from long-time residents to the newest immigrants.
Its tools and services empower them to find jobs, gain literacy, succeed in school, and
share cultures.
The Library’s annual Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros festival invites all community
children to celebrate reading and books, in collaboration with many other community volunteers
and partners.
>> The June 2008 Iowa flood was the fifth-largest disaster in U.S. history, inflicting 6 billion
dollars in damages to Cedar Rapids and $11 million dollars in damage to the National
Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.
While dealing with its own recovery, the museum led revitalization efforts for the surrounding
devastated ethnic neighborhood and became stronger than before.
The museum offered a gathering spot, developed exhibits about the flood and led efforts to
obtain government disaster relief and raise private funds.
Through its leadership, a Main Street district was established, resulting in new businesses
and jobs.
By the time the museum reopened in July 2012, it had relocated, expanded its building and
endowment, and brought hope and inspiration to the city.
>> Pierce County Library System in Tacoma, Washington, does its homework!
They research in order to understand what the community needs.
Their groundbreaking work with the University of Washington provided solid evidence that
training childcare providers leads to literacy gains for children.
Together with the United Way, the Children’s Museum, and the state and county’s workforce
development program and, they offer services ranging from early learning to job skills
and small business support.
A website and job classes for military families support the large and mobile population of
the Joint Base Lewis McCord.
>> The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio, is one of the oldest, largest,
and busiest libraries in America, serving 49 diverse jurisdictions.
While offering a wealth of programs for all ages, the library’s early learning programs
are key to addressing Cincinnati’s high incidence of childhood poverty, one of the
highest in the nation.
Two programs use a “shared reading” method to develop kindergarten readiness.
The Library actively works with schools to reduce truancy, and its summer reading and
Brain Camps address summer learning loss.
The library aims to help all children read at level by third grade.
>> The Rancho Cucamonga Public Library serves a diverse, fast-growing Southern California
community.
With an innovative focus on early learning, the Library offers an after-school tutoring
program, Robotics Workshops, and Star Wars Day.
Family-friendly programs include Cultural Arts Nights, School Family Night Out, and
Healthy programs for mind, body and earth.
The library also created Play and Learn Islands, interactive exhibits for children and their
families that foster imaginative play, cross generational learning, and problem-solving.
These immensely popular Play and Learn Islands have now been sold to more than a dozen libraries
and loaned to more than 30 others.
>> The Waukegan Public Library battles low literacy and high unemployment with programs
that form a Path to Literacy and Learning.
More than half the population is Latino, and many have limited English speaking skills.
The library’s Promotoras Ambassadors are volunteers trained to go into the community,
assess needs and promote relevant library services for the whole family.
For children, the library’s Early Learning Center is a museum that offers bilingual activities.
Adults can attend free classes in citizenship preparation, conversational English, and GED
classes in Spanish.
Thanks to its outreach, the library has more than one thousand new Latino patrons this
year.
>> The Institute of Museum and Library Services is proud to honor the outstanding winners
of the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
This presentation was created for the Institute of Museum and Library Services by HISTORY.