IMLS and StoryCorps

A facilitator from StoryCorps prepares patrons for their interview at the Braille Institute Library Services.

Each year, select museums and libraries with outstanding records of community service receive the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. 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 about the partnership on the StoryCorps Blog

Click here to listen to 2009 Medal Winners

2010 Medal Winners - Listen Online:

	Anythink Libraries Pam Smith (R), Anythink Library Director, talks with her friend and colleague, Sharon Morris (L) of the Colorado State Library. They share stories about why they love what they do.  Length: 5:51 Read transcript (PDF, 16KB)
	Conner Prairie Interactive History Park Tom Miller (L), director of programs at Indy Reads, interviews his friend, Randy French (R), about his first memories of Conner Prairie why he decided to join Indy Reads, an adult literacy program.  Length: 4:37 Read transcript (PDF, 16KB)
	Explora Miguel Angel Lopez talks with his father Patrick Lopez, the executive director of Explora, about growing up, their love of science, and their involvement with Explora.  Length: 5:19 Read transcript (PDF, 16KB)
	Japanese American National Museum Richard Murakami and his wife, Masako Murakami, talk about how volunteering together at the Japanese American National Museum for 25 years has shaped their lives. Length: 4:46 Read transcript (PDF, 25KB)
	Mississippi Museum of Art Museum Director Betsy Bradley (R) talks to architect and colleague Madge Bemiss (L) about the creation of their new building, and the impact of physical space on emotional experience for the residents of Jackson, Mississippi.   Length: 5:59 Read transcript (PDF, 25KB)
	Nashville Public Library Friends and colleagues Beth Odle (L) and Carol Kaplan (R) share stories of memorable patrons discovering their family history in the Nashville Public Library’s Special Collections. Length: 4:36 Read transcript (PDF, 25KB)
	New York Botanical Garden Everett Sanderson talks with his parents, Han-Yu Hung and Eric Sanderson, about the Family Garden at the New York Botanical Garden.  Length: 3:41 Read transcript (PDF, 15KB)
	Patchogue-Medford Library Michele Cayea interviews her mother, Karen Cayea, about the role that the Patchogue-Medford Library played in their family's life, and talks about what lead her, unexpectedly, to follow in her mother's footsteps and work at the Library. Length: 4:22 Read transcript (PDF, 25KB)
	Peter White Public Library Best friends, Mary Margaret Wagner (left) and Carol Watt (right), reminisce about their 40-year friendship that began while they were coworkers at Peter White Public Library in Marquette, MI, and the changes they've witnessed at the library over the years. Length: 4:49 Read transcript (PDF, 19KB)
	West Bloomfield Public Library Cameron Thomas-Shah tells his friend and supporter Sheryl Mitchell about the importance of the library in his life, how it inspired him to get involved in community service, and his plans for the future. Length: 4:36 Read transcript (PDF, 25KB)

About StoryCorps
StoryCorps’ mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, preserve, and share their stories. StoryCorps is currently one of the fastest-growing nonprofits in the country. Each week, millions of Americans listen to StoryCorps’ award-winning broadcasts on NPR’s Morning Edition. Fifty of StoryCorps’ most emblematic stories have been collected in the New York Times bestseller, Listening Is an Act of Love (Penguin Press). A follow-up book, Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps (Penguin Press), published in Spring 2010, features inspiring stories by and about mothers. StoryCorps’ major funders include: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), The Atlantic Philanthropies, The Ford Foundation, The Annenberg Foundation, The Kaplen Foundation, and Joe and Carol Reich. StoryCorps also relies on the support from its participants and listeners. For more information, or to listen to stories online, visit www.storycorps.org.