MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY
January 9, 2008

Press Contact
202-653-4632 or 202-330-7736 (cell)
Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@imls.gov

Mrs. Laura Bush to Present Top Library and Museum Awards
at January 14th White House Ceremony

Alabama, California, Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Washington DC, Oregon, and Vermont Institutions
To Be Honored

WASHINGTON, DC--Mrs. Laura Bush will present the 2007 National Medals for Museum and Library Service to five libraries and five museums in a White House ceremony on Monday, January 14th. The awards are conferred annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in coordination with the White House.

“These award-winning museums and libraries, through their innovative programs and services, engage citizens of all ages,” said Mrs. Laura Bush. “They teach us about ourselves and the world around us, and in doing so, enrich our communities and the nation.”

Who: Mrs. Laura Bush and representatives of the 2007 award-winning libraries and museums.

What: Awards ceremony followed by media availability with community members who lives have been positively affected by these award-winning libraries and museums.

Where: East Room, the White House.

When: 9:40 a.m. -- MRS. BUSH delivers remarks at the National Medals for Museum and Library Service Ceremony.

OPEN PRESS

Pre-set for electronic media is 7:15 am
All media will be escorted from the West Wing driveway to East Room at 9:00 am

Throw: 35 feet
Lighting: TV quality
Multbox

NOTE

Members of the media interested in attending the event who do not have a White House Press Credential must fax his or her name (as it appears on his or her driver's license), Social Security number and date of birth on company letterhead to (202) 456-1523 no later than 6:00 pm on Friday, January 11, 2008. For additional credentialing or logistical questions, please call Mrs. Bush’s Press Office at (202) 456-6313.

Organizations being honored are:

1. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
2. Brookfield Zoo of the Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois
3. Georgetown County Library, Georgetown, South Carolina
4. Kim Yerton Branch of the Humboldt County Library, Hoopa, California
5. Memphis Public Library & Information Center, Memphis, Tennessee
6. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC
7. The Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois
8. Ocean County Library, Toms River, New Jersey
9. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Oregon
10. Vermont Historical Society, Barre, Vermont
    

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

IMLS would like to thank the following organizations for their generous support of the National Medals celebration: AT&T, The History Channel, 3M Library Systems, and Metal Edge, Inc., Archival Storage Materials.