FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2005
Updated March 22, 2005
Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Eileen Maxwell, emaxwell@imls.gov
Laura Bush Presents Nation's Highest Award to Three Museums and Three Libraries for Extraordinary Service to Communities
Institutions in Michigan, Illinois, Nevada, San Diego, Texas and Puerto Rico honored
Washington, DC—First Lady Laura Bush presented the 2004 National Awards for Museum and Library Service
to three museums and three libraries in a March 14 ceremony at the Hotel Washington, at 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW at 3:30 p.m. Recognizing
the vital role of museums and libraries as leaders in a democratic society, the Institute of Museum and Library Services annually awards
museums and libraries that exhibit outstanding service to their communities. The winners are as diverse as the cultural landscape of the
country: small and large, urban and rural. They have one thing in common: each have found innovative ways of using their collections and
programs to provide lifelong learning and address critical community concerns. It is the nation's highest honor for the extraordinary public
outreach provided by museums and libraries.
"As a former schoolteacher and librarian, I know that museums and libraries are true treasures for discovery and learning,” Mrs.
Bush said. “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to recognize all of these wonderful institutions.” See Laura Bush's full remarks.
The awards ceremony featured performances
by exceptionally talented community representatives from
two of the winning organizations. Representing the Western
Folklife Center, author Linda Hussa read a poem called
On A Clear, Cold Calving Night from her poetry
anthology, Blood Sister, I am to These Fields.
Representing the Flint Public Library, 18-year-old star
orator Martres Brown read an excerpt from Martin Luther
King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech.
Representatives of each of the museums and libraries accepted the awards alongside individuals whose lives have been changed
for the better as a result of the programs and services offered by these institutions. Institutions receiving the awards include:
Chicago
Botanic Garden, Chicago, Illinois.
Flint Public Library, Flint, Michigan
Mayaguez Children’s Library, Inc., Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
The Regional Academic Health Center Medical Library of the University of Texas Health
Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
Western Folklife Center, Inc., Elko, Nevada
Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, California
“Museums and libraries play a powerful
role in building and sustaining the communities that are
the foundation of American democracy today,” said
Institute of Museum and Library Services Director Robert
S. Martin, Ph.D. “That means being much more than
a place to view artwork or a building that houses volumes
of books. It means becoming a place – both physical
and virtual – that understands its unique ability
and duty to respond to the needs of those in the immediate
community, and in many cases far beyond.” View Dr.
Martin's opening remarks.
The National Award for Museum Service was established in 1994, and the National Award for Library Service was established
in 2000. Recipients of the awards are chosen for their innovative approaches to public service, and for their success in improving communities
and making a difference in peoples’ lives. All types of museums, from anthropological to zoological, fine art to folk art, urban,
suburban, rural, large and small are eligible for the award. Public and private nonprofit libraries are eligible to receive this award,
and nominations of libraries of all sizes are encouraged.
Laura Bush's Full Remarks
Dr.
Robert S. Martin's Opening Remarks
2004
National Awards Brochure
Past
Recipients
The celebration of the 2004 National Awards for Museum and Library Service is made possible by the generous support of 3M
Library Systems. |
