National Medal for Museum and Library Service
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service honors outstanding institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Selected institutions demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. The winners are honored at a National Medal award ceremony held in Washington, D.C.
Search the Awarded Grants database for past winners of the National Medal.
Watch now! 2011 Winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Community Member Interviews
Medal Winners and StoryCorps
Beginning with the 2009 awardees, personal stories demonstrating the ongoing impact of these award-winning institutions are being documented through a cooperative agreement between IMLS and StoryCorps, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs. Read more.
Learn more about nominating a museum or library for a medal.
Additional initiative content on the IMLS Web site:
October 2, 2012 03:35 PM
Accelerated deadline to accommodate spring ceremony.
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June 1, 2012 02:32 PM
The National Medal celebrates libraries and museums that make a difference for individuals, families and communities. Apply by October 15, 2012.
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December 6, 2011 01:15 PM
Ten museums and libraries were awarded the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service in a ceremony. The medal is the highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community.
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July 10, 2012 11:09 AM
Terri Summerfield, director of the Weippe Public Library & Discovery Center in Weippe, ID, sits down with community member Gradi Thomson to discuss how the library has become her family’s home away from home.
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July 3, 2012 12:43 PM
Arnold Lehman, director of the Brooklyn Museum, sits down with visual artist Virginia Ines Vergara to discuss how the museum has helped her build confidence as a teacher and an artist.
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June 26, 2012 12:16 PM
Father Columba Stewart, director of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library in Collegeville, MN, sits down with Dr. Getachew Haile to discuss how he became the library’s Cataloguer of Oriental Manuscripts and Curator of the Ethiopian Study Center after fleeing his native Ethiopia.
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IMLS has selected five libraries and five museums to receive the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries for extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions. Recipients must demonstrate innovative approaches to public service and community outreach.
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The Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) has selected five museums and five libraries to receive the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that make extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions.
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The Miami-Dade County Public Library System embodies the ethic of service to community. It is viewed first and foremost as a community resource – a place where people can get what they need in a trusted setting with experienced, hands-on assistance.
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This four-page overview of IMLS programs provides succinct information on the agency's initiatives, partnerships, funding programs, and research projects.
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The National Medal is an annual award made to museums and libraries that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to public service through innovative programs and community partnerships.
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The National Medal is an annual award made to museums and libraries that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to public service through innovative programs and community partnerships.
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December 15, 2011 12:00 AM
On December 5, 2011, IMLS Director Susan Hildreth presented the National Medal for Museum and Library Service to five libraries and five museums at a ceremony on Capitol Hill. Journalist and author Cokie Roberts gave the keynote address at the ceremony. The National Medal is the highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community.
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December 6, 2011 12:00 AM
The National Medals for Museum and Library Service are the nation’s highest awards for museums and libraries that make exceptional contributions to their communities. Produced for IMLS by the History Channel, this video highlights 2011's winners.
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December 17, 2010 12:00 AM
The National Medals for Museum and Library Service are the nation’s highest awards for museums and libraries that make exceptional contributions to their communities. Produced for IMLS by the History Channel, this video highlights 2010's winners.
Read More