SUSAN HILDRETH: Today, we recognize the extraordinary work of 10 outstanding museums and libraries
from across the nation and celebrate the valuable role these institutions, and all museums and
libraries, play in our communities.
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the nation's highest honor for
libraries and museums.
The 10 institutions we recognize today show us what is possible. They are places that
are using their physical and digital spaces, their collections and their dedicated staffs
to make a real difference in community life.
This year's winners represent the best of our nation's libraries and museums. There
are countless stories across the country of Americans, young and old, learning, enjoying,
and opening doors to new and deeply powerful experiences at their local museum or library.
And now it is my distinct pleasure and deep honor to introduce Mrs. Michelle Obama, the
First Lady of the United States.
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) Thanks so much. Thank you, all. How is everyone?
Good afternoon. Please, sit. Welcome to the White House. I love saying that. (Laughter.)
I am thrilled that all of you could be here today as we honor these 10 outstanding libraries
and museums.
I want to start, of course, by thanking Susan -- where did you go that quickly -- there
you go -- (laughter) -- for that very kind introduction, but, more importantly, for her
outstanding work on behalf of our country and our nation's museums and libraries. As
Susan told me in the back room, these are her peeps. (Laughter.) So she's doing a phenomenal
job.
And of course, I want to recognize our guests of honor today --- this year's medal-winning
libraries and museums. Thank you all for your outstanding contributions to communities and
to our country. Every day, you all are pushing boundaries, defying expectations and redefining
what it means to be a library and museum in this country.
You're not just exposing our young people to science and the arts, you're actually putting
instruments and paintbrushes and computers into their hands and helping them blossom
into musicians and artists and scientists themselves. You're not just helping kids check
out books, you're actually teaching them to read those books.
You're tutoring our kids who have fallen behind in a grade level. You're teaching English
as a second language. You're developing the next generation of lifelong learners. And
I also understand that there are some of you who are even members of our Let's Move Museums
and Gardens initiative -- yes, indeed. (Applause.) And you know that I greatly appreciate that
work, everything that you all are doing to make it fun and creative for kids to develop
lifelong health habits. Thank you for that work.
So when I think about what you all do, I think it's best summed up by a phrase in the 1920
annual report of one of today's honorees, the Boston Children's Museum. The report stated
that the goal of this museum is to "make better citizens." And more than anything else, that's
what all of you do -- you help create better citizens.
You help people across this country become more informed and engaged in our communities.
You teach our young people about our history, and you inspire them to play a role in shaping
our future. And I know this work isn't easy -- not at all. I know that many of our libraries
and museums are dealing with tight budgets and juggling more and more demands with fewer
resources.
But instead of scaling back your missions, you all are expanding them. You're reaching
out to underserved populations, taking on issues like poverty and illiteracy. You're
partnering with schools and community organizations, finding new ways to share your resources as
widely as possible.
Take the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, for example. They ran a summer
lunch program, serving 6,700 meals to hungry children. And all of you are embracing the
magnificent diversity of the communities that you serve -- making sure that everyone, no
matter where they're from or what language they speak, can enjoy all that you have to
offer. And that is precisely what we try to do here at the White House.
As you know, this house, in many ways, is a museum. And we have worked so hard to open
up this place to as many of our young people as possible, doing everything from hosting
workshops on poetry to having modern dance. Yes, the Alvin Ailey dancers danced right
here. And then the curators realized that some of those leaps were threatening the chandeliers.
(Laughter.) I don't think they thought that through, so they were wincing as the leaps
were happening. (Laughter.)
But we've also hosted jazz, classical and country music workshops here for young people,
because like all of you, we want our young people to know about and be proud of this
nation's rich cultural heritage. And we want them so desperately to discover their own
gifts, and to fulfill their own potential, and start thinking about their own contributions
to our great American story. And your libraries and museums are such a crucial part of that
vitally important work.
And Barack and I, we are truly proud of everything you do. And it is a real joy and an honor
for us to host all of you here. We can't say thank you enough. But hopefully, today is
one small way to remind you that the work that you do is so critical. It's important.
It is valued. And we hope you all keep doing what you do every single day. As I tell all
of our teachers and folks out there doing the hard work, please don't get tired. (Laughter.)
We need you.
So congratulations again on this tremendous achievement. And now it's my pleasure to present
the medals to today's honorees. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
NARRATOR: Accepting the award for the Boston Children's Museum of Boston, Massachusetts
are
Carole Charnow, Executive Director and Community Member Tayquan Pomare-Taylor
In 2011, as a newly minted Teen Ambassador, 14-year-old Tayquan had a special purpose:
playing with younger children and engaging families at the Museum and in his own neighborhood.
The teen ambassador employment program at the Museum -- with its emphasis on transformative
education and the power of play -- sparked Tayquan's love of learning, helping him raise
his GPA from a point-seven to a three-point-five.
He is now 16 and preparing to apply to college. Tayquan says, "It felt like the Boston Children's
Museum was made for me. And the way kids react to me at the museum -- asking for me by name,
learning from me -- shows me that I have something to give."
Accepting the award for the Columbus Museum of Art of Columbus, Ohio are
Nannette Maciejunes, Executive Director and Community Member Jeffrey Tucker
Jeffrey was a self-proclaimed "Master of Disaster" when he joined Columbus Museum of Art's ArtLab
as a high school junior. He knew very little about technology and even less about art But,
through ArtLab, Jeffery's eyes were opened and he found his creativity. For his final
project, Jeffery interviewed museum visitors and peers about their emotional connections
to art. Today, Jeffery is a Media and Communications major at Columbus State Community College.
Now he mentors the museum's ArtLab students. Jeffrey says, "the Columbus Museum of Art
taught me to take risks. Their programs molded me into a videographer, and I dream of someday
receiving an Oscar."
Accepting the award for the Delta Blues Museum of Clarksdale, Mississippi
Shelley Ritter, Executive Director Community Member Travis Calvin
Travis Calvin's mom wanted her children to be involved in safe and positive activities
after school. So she enrolled them in the Delta Blues Museum's Arts and Educations Program.
The program became much more than a safe refuge for her family. Through classes at the museum,
8-year-old Travis was inspired to master the guitar and the blues. Now, he helps other
children discover and enjoy this truly American art form. He will graduate from Delta State
University next month with a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies. Travis says, "I
wouldn't be where I am today and pursuing my current career path had I not been signed
up for the museum's Arts and Education Program 15 years ago. If things go as I plan, I will
feel the museum's influence every day of my life."
Accepting the award for the Discovery Science Center of Santa Ana, California are
Joe Adams, President and Community Member Kate Upton
A critical part of Discovery Science Center's mission is to inspire the next generation
of science innovators. For twenty-three-year old Kate Upton, the museum did just that.
Kate's visits to Discovery Science Center began nearly two decades ago. In second grade,
when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Kate replied, "a good and faithful
scientist." Kate is on track -- a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and minors in Math
and Physics are already under her belt. Sheis currently pursuing a Ph.D. at California Institute
of Technology. Kate says, ""During my childhood, the Discovery Science Center helped to cultivate
my passion for science -- keeping it fun, interesting and relevant to my life—and
taught me how to share that passion with others."
Accepting the award for the Marshalltown Public Library of Marshalltown, Iowa are
Sarah Rosenblum, Executive Director and Community Member Veronica Guevara
Marshalltown Public Library was an important resource for first-generation Mexican-American
Veronica Guevara. In first grade she found reading difficult because English was not
her first language, but she became a true bookworm, thanks in large part to the library.
. As Veronica got older, she worked with museum staff members to identify internship opportunities
and to apply for college scholarships. When she graduates from the University of Iowa
this December, she will be the first in her family with a college degree. Veronica says,
"The library helped me grow and develop while honing my bilingualism when I was a little
girl. It helped me discover the beauty of endless possibilities at a young age, which
have in turn led me to believe in the possibilities of my goals
and dreams."
Accepting the award for the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library of Cedar Rapids,
Iowa are
Gail Naughton, President and CEO, and Community Member Bob Schaffer
For local business owner Bob Schaffer, the Cedar Rapids flood of 2008 was devastation.
Czech Cottage, a gift and jewelry store Bob opened with his parents in 1975, was destroyed.
Precious imported goods simply ruined. Once the water receded, Bob began to assess the
damage, and day after day, he filled FEMA dumpsters with his family's pride and joy.
He credits the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library's commitment to rebuilding in the
original Czech Village as a driving force in his family's decision to rebuild and reopen,
too. He says, "If the Museum had chosen an alternate location, I knew the Czech Village
would at best only recover as a ghost of its former self, and the future of our Czech import
shop would be in question. The day the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library announced
plans to rebuild in our neighborhood, was a day of tremendous relief."
Accepting the award for the Pierce County Library System of Tacoma, Washington are
Neel Parikh, Executive Director, and Community Member Jo Cruz
Spanaway resident Jo Cruz took her young children on frequent trips to the library. Picture
book browsing and story time have evolved into sophisticated research, as her son prepares
to graduate high school this spring. Jo's parenting experience convinced her that a
foundation in literacy is essential to prepare children for success. Now, as a child care
professional, Jo is using the library to support early literacy activities for the children
in her care. The library is a major resource for Jo -- providing idea kits, materials,
and even hosting block parties and group meetings for child care professionals. Jo says, "Families,
child care professionals, and our Pierce County Library System are team players in this community.
It is reassuring to know that the success of our children is supported by passionate
people concerned about the future of our little ones."
Accepting the award for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County of Cincinnati,
Ohio are
Kimber Fender, The Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director, and
Community Member Amina Tuki
From a small village in Ethiopia without running water or electricity, Amina came to Cincinnati
as a refugee with her husband in the early 1990s. Unable to read her native language
of Amharic, learning English was a monumental challenge. Amina first stepped into the library
to meet a tutor from the YWCA to work on her English. Since that time, she's taken many
more steps to further her language and communication skills. To help her daughter, Hannah, with
her homework, Amina used the library's Homework Central. And when the Adult Learning Center
opened in 2011, Amina herself participated in classes to work on her English skills.
Amina says, "One day, I picked up a small book given by the library called 'Coming to
America.' It took me all day, but I made my way through the pages filled with words describing
the challenges -- and joys -- of coming to a new country. I took it home and told my
husband and two daughters I would read them a story. And I did. My oldest daughter cried
when I finished."
Cucamonga, California are
Robert Karatsu, Executive Director Community Members --Christine, Tammy, and
their children Grant, Kennedy, and Madison DeVries
Christine is mom -- and, because of a decision to homeschool, a teacher extraordinaire -- to
the family's nine-year-old triplets. The library has been an integral part of the family's
life since the triplets were tiny one year olds. The library's children's programs mark
development and growth, from toddler storytimes, to early elementary afterschool activities,
and now the pre-teen Discovery Club. Christine says, "Through the library, we have found
a social network of other homeschoolers -- we coordinate playdates with friends we've made
at the library. I can honestly say that the triplets love to read, the triplets love to
learn, the triplets love to explore new worlds, and the triplets love the Rancho Cucamonga
Public Library!"
Accepting the award for the Waukegan (Wah-key-gan) Public Library of Waukegan, Illinois are
Richard Lee, Executive Director, and Community Member Diana Alvey
Diana family came to the United States from Mexico when she was three years old. No one
in her family spoke English, but shortly after arriving, Diana's mother began English classes
as a way to help them adjust to their new home. As an adult, Diana volunteers her time
at Waukegan Public Library as an ESL tutor to help others on their language journey.
Diana also volunteers as a Promotora,, or ambassador telling the Latino community about
library free resources and programs. She has helped ESL students to pursue job promotions,
attend parent teacher conferences at school, and describe symptoms to their doctors. Diana
says, "A young mother was at home when she heard her children yelling 'FIRE.' Because
of her participation in the library's ESL program, she knew what that English word meant
-- and how to call 911 for help. Our programs are making a world of difference."
Well, that concludes our awards. I hope we all leave here inspired and rededicated, because
as we can see from the stories that we've heard that your work is really powerful, and
it is impactful, and it can change lives. You do it quietly. You do it without much
fanfare or you don't require a lot of attention.
So hopefully, today gives you that little bit of light you need to just keep going,
because this country needs you. We need the work that you do. And it's just our hope that
every community in this country can have the resources that you are providing to your communities.
That should be our goal.
And with that, I think now it's time to have a little fun, as my husband always says. We've
got a little reception over there. We have some nice food here at the White House. (Laughter.)
They know how to throw a nice party. So I encourage you to enjoy, partake, walk around,
eat -- have some cookies. (Laughter.) We'll put Let's Move on hold for just a couple of
cookies. (Laughter and applause.)
So enjoy your time. You have earned it. We are grateful. Congratulations again. Thank
you so much.