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:
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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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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October 6, 2011 07:39 AM
Supporters of outstanding museums and libraries are encouraged to nominate these institutions for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for exemplary museum and library community service. The National Medal honors museums and libraries that make extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions. The winners are honored at a National Medal award ceremony held in Washington, D.C..
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May 22, 2012 11:32 AM
The director of the Madison Children's Museum, Ruth Shelly, sits down with Benjamin Perreth, a Visitor Services Associate at the museum, to discuss the impact the museum has had on his life, as well as how the museum has learned from him.
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May 15, 2012 10:12 AM
Columbus Metropolitan Library CFO Dewitt Harrell sits down with Khamall Howard to discuss how his participation in a summer youth program lead to his current job at the Main Library in downtown Columbus.
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May 8, 2012 11:30 AM
Hear how the museum’s innovative approach to improving health outcomes for South Carolina’s children is making a big impact on young visitors.
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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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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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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