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:
May 8, 2013 08:57 AM
First Lady Michelle Obama presents the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. White House celebration recognizes exceptional contributions of 10 museums and libraries.
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April 17, 2013 02:18 PM
IMLS will host a free webinar to provide ideas and advice for museums and gardens that wish to participate in the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Lets Move! initiative.
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April 15, 2013 12:25 PM
IMLS Director Susan Hildreth participated in a naturalization ceremony at Library of Congress during a National Library Week celebration. At the event IMLS and USCIS announced a partnership to encourage and recognize collaboration between citizen and immigration services and public libraries.
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May 22, 2013 12:52 PM
IMLS will be a part of the first ever National Day of Civic Hacking, June 1 and 2. Find out how you can get involved.
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May 8, 2013 08:10 AM
IMLS salutes the country’s first National Student Poets. Today’s featured poet is Luisa Banchoff of Arlington, Va.
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May 3, 2013 12:32 PM
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Summit on Libraries & Teens was the first conversation point in a yearlong National Forum that continues with a virtual town hall meeting on May 21.
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IMLS has selected five libraries and five museums to receive the 2012 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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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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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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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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