the Institute of Museum and Library Services honors 10 institutions that
present extraordinary and innovative approaches to community service their
work makes a real difference for individuals families and communities the
National Medal for Museum and Library Service is awarded by IMLS the nation's
primary source of federal support for museums and libraries IMLS works toward
achieving a democratic society where communities and individuals thrive it
supports broad public access to knowledge cultural heritage and lifelong
learning we congratulate the 2015 museum and library honorees and thank them for
their exceptional community contributions
amazement square is a hands-on museum in Lynchburg Virginia offering four floors
of interactive exhibits that make learning fun the museum places a strong
emphasis on programs closely aligned with school curricula as well as
community engagement a cornerstone of the community amazement square helped
drive the economic revitalization of downtown Lynchburg and continues to
provide dynamic programs advancing special needs health and early learning
located at the head of the Chesapeake Bay Cecil County Public Library is
making a critical difference in education workforce readiness and
economic development the library is staffed by innovative educators who
proactively address community challenges and opportunities targeted outreach to
lower-income families prevents summer learning loss the library's Small
Business Information Center connects aspiring entrepreneurs to local networks
specialized classes empower veterans to transition to successful civilian lives
the Craig public library located on Prince of Wales Island in southeast
Alaska provides the community with access to technology literacy programs
and economic opportunities it offers steam activities including robotics 3d
printing and maker events the library seasonal reading programs discussion
groups and video conferences help children and adults engage learn and
collaborate
the Ambu doe Valley library located in the northern New Mexico community of
Dixon focuses on supporting local youth and families the public library provides
the only after school and summer reading programs in the area it's caterpillar
Club early literacy program and the aura after-school program promote achievement
in the classroom and a positive perception of reading science and
learning Los Angeles Public Library's 73 locations serve the largest and most
diverse population of any library system in the country to meet the needs of
millions of Angelenos including a significant immigrant population the
library provides tailored social educational and cultural services it's
programs advance citizenship and immigrant integration emergent in adult
literacy skills access to financial and consumer health information and
education success for all ages Louisiana Children's Museum serves the greater new
orleans area by addressing literacy health and developmental issues through
child-centered approaches that are playful interactive and fun the museum
is a convener and collaborator a place to engage explore shared objectives and
address community needs the museum's play power program helps children in
pre-k through 3rd grade learn develop and heal through play based art
literature dramatic play and community projects the Museum of Northern Arizona
has served the Colorado plateaus diverse community since 1928 promoting the
region's natural and cultural treasures through its collections exhibitions
educational programs and scientific research children explore the region's
natural wonders through its discovery camps place-based scientific learning
experiencing archaeology and biology at dinnae Camp Navajo youth connect with
their tribes native language for 82 years in partnership with native tribes
the museum has celebrated the region's vibrant cultures through beloved
festivals the New York Hall of Science in Queens
New York was founded at the 1964 World's Fair and has since evolved into a center
for interactive science the museum hosts 450 exhibits demonstrations workshops
and participatory activities for stem learning the museum provides local
children and families access to educational programs that exemplify the
design make play philosophy of making learning fun relevant and meaningful for
learners the Schomburg Center for research in black culture in Harlem New
York is an innovative cultural arts and research center within the New York
Public Library system it is dedicated to the collection preservation and
interpretation of black life history and culture the schaumburg promotes
intellectual discovery through research innovative programming cultural
performances and exhibitions it is recognized as the world's leading
repository of materials related to the global black experience the tech museum
of innovation is a hands-on technology and science museum in downtown San Jose
California that aims to inspire the innovator and everyone visitors build
robots explore the world of 3d printing measure their own biometric data and
will soon step into the role of cyber sleuth to learn the skills necessary to
keep themselves safe online programs like the tech challenge help students
develop lifelong problem solving in critical thinking skills and encourage
the development of innovative technology for a more promising future the
Institute of Museum and Library Services is proud to honor the outstanding
winners of the 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service this
presentation was created for the Institute of Museum and Library Services
by history you