Civic/Community Engagement
Libraries and museums build the civic strength of their communities and providing opportunities for public engagement.
Search the Awarded Grants database for grants to programs that strengthen civic/community engagement (issue areas have only been assigned to grants awarded since FY 2009)
National Initiative: National Medal for Museum and Library Services
The National Medal 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.
Partnership: StoryCorps
Each year, select museums and libraries receive the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for these institutions. Beginning with the 2009 winners, personal stories demonstrating the ongoing impact of these award-winning institutions are being documented through a cooperative agreement between IMLS and StoryCorps.
Civic/community engagement content on the IMLS Web site:
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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November 18, 2011 10:41 AM
IMLS reports library visits at record high.
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October 25, 2011 06:35 AM
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has selected five libraries and five museums to receive the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
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September 28, 2012 09:32 AM
This past weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival with thousands of book lovers, poets, and authors, celebrating books that have shaped America. The new National Student Poets Program debuted at the National Book Festival with five outstanding high school poets.
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September 6, 2012 10:01 AM
Patricia Lannes and Kitty Bateman describe Queensborough Community College's Cultures & Literacies Through Art for the 21st Century (CALTA21), which builds partnerships between museums and institutions that teach English as a second language as a means of making art museums more accessible to immigrants.
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August 22, 2012 11:25 AM
Reductions in local post office hours may provide new opportunities for public libraries.
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When the Boston Children’s Museum’s KidPower—a new health exhibit—became the anchor exhibit of its new wing, the Museum’s new health focus was literally front and center. They joined the ranks of children’s museums that are becoming a national force in combating childhood obesity and at the same time found they could learn valuable lessons from their local community.
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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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This month's project profile examines the positive impact of mentoring and empowering teens for library careers and community leadership. One of the goals of the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program is to attract a new generation of diverse and creative people to librarianship.
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Conducted by the University of Washington Information School and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and IMLS, this report is based on the first large-scale study of who uses public computers and Internet access in public libraries.
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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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