the Institute of Museum
museums and libraries throughout our nation through the National Medal for
Museum and Library Service IMLS is the primary source of federal support for
the nation's libraries and museums and through grant making policy development
and research it inspires them to advance innovation lifelong learning and
cultural and civic engagement this year the highest honor for Museum and Library
Services recognizes the contributions of five museums and five libraries across
the United States from the tundra of Alaska to the coastal plains of South
Carolina this year's winners represent exemplary standards in service to
America's diverse communities opened in 1897 the Cedar Rapids Public Library has
grown learned laughed and lived with its residents even after a tragic and
destructive flood devastated the library in 2008 the library rebuilt its programs
better than ever the library spearheaded the creation of an ongoing learning
outreach program to help underserved youth through micro a loan program
partnership with local government librarians meet one-on-one with aspiring
small business owners to review documents discuss their business plans
and prepare them for meetings with lenders located in the land of 10,000
lakes the University of Minnesota libraries provide services to an
extraordinary Minnesota community the research driven libraries offer students
a state of the art network called smart Learning Commons which delivers tutorial
services peer consultations and media creation opportunities the libraries
support researchers through workshops and individual data management plan
development and assist academic departments by assigning a library
liaison to each the congressionally created Alaska State museums continue to
blaze new trails in the state established in 1900 the Alaska State
museums weave the state's native history into its core programming by providing
technical support to smaller museums and tribal cultural centers the museum's
support comes in the form of training sharing resources and funding
each year the museum's hosts nearly a hundred and seventy-five thousand
visitors to learn about alaska's native people Gold Rush miners Scandinavian
fishermen and others who make up the rich history of Alaska located on the
banks of Maine's Kennebec River in a town of about 16,000 people the
Waterville public library has served as an anchor for the economically
distressed area after water bills Career Center closed in 2005 the library
recognized the vacuum left by the center's closure and founded the
business career and creativity Center the library leveraged its resources and
began hosting job fairs as well as recruiting events for new and existing
businesses the library also hosts a weekly job search lab where experts from
regional career development organizations provide resume
consultations for residents Richland library brings to life the charm and
hospitality many associate with the south located in Richland County South
Carolina the library engages parents students and children of all ages from
here comes kindergarten a family engagement and school readiness program
to the teen center designed to help high school students prepare for college the
library has been a shelter to many a trusted institution to most and a
purpose and compassion driven library the state of the art Illinois Holocaust
Museum and Education Center devotes its time and resources to transforming
knowledge into action teaching about the power each individual has to create
change the museum empowers people to speak out against injustice and genocide
wherever it occurs the museum successfully worked with state
legislators to make Illinois the first date in the country to mandate
instruction of the Holocaust and subsequently genocide in school
classrooms to the staff of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park the saying
every human makes history is something they know from daily reality the
organization supports refugees recent immigrants Native Americans
african-americans and at-risk youth by inspiring them to part
actively in their community through books exhibits audio productions and
films located in Oakland California the organization is known as an embracing
leader working to represent these communities to the wider public in ways
they themselves choose this Southern California coastal city library helps
its residents meet their personal and educational goals the Long Beach Public
Library provides STEM workshops to the community through their creative digital
lab the studio and its counterpart mobile studio the studio is a community
work space where people meet and collaborate to use technology that helps
develop intellectual curiosity and inspire academic success the mobile
studio allows the library to deliver resources to the Long Beach community
beyond its walls in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains of Colorado the
Aspen Art Museum uses art as a vehicle to identify understand and address the
challenges of Western Slope residents the ever-growing Hispanic community of
Aspen led the museum to partner with a local Spanish radio station lottery
Color to develop art a and espanol quarterly events at the museum to engage
diverse groups and cross cultural exchanges museum staff and educators
drive roughly 5,000 miles annually to bring art to K to 12 students
community-based organizations working adults and people with special needs
located in the rural picturesque town of Wausau Wisconsin the lee yong-ki Woodson
art museum is committed to barrier free access for all home to the
internationally renowned birds and art exhibition and programs such as art
babies and toddler Tuesday's the museum's mission is to enhance lives
through art art Park the museum's interactive Family Gallery offers
visitors beautiful clever and ever-changing learn and play
opportunities for children and the young at heart
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