On Monday, January 18, communities around the nation will come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the “Beloved Community” envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King. In honor of his birthday, people of all ages and backgrounds will volunteer to make a real difference in your community during the 2010 King Day of Service.

This same spirit of community service is embodied by the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that make extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions. Every year, the Institute of Museum and Library Services honors five museums and five libraries for their extraordinary community contributions.

One of the 2009 National Medal winners was the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. In its 80,000 square feet of learning and exploration, children and their parents flex their artistic muscles. And its Charm Bracelet Project has revitalized Pittsburgh’s Northside by connecting cultural, recreational, and educational organizations. Another winner, the Braille Institute Library, provides book clubs, newspapers via telephone, and almost 1.3 million holdings at the library to its blind, visually impaired, physically handicapped, and reading-disabled patrons. We applaud these and the other eight 2009 National Medal winners.

In the 21st century, libraries and museums are the heart and soul of their communities. Their outstanding contributions have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a real difference in their communities. They reach out to people of all ages and backgrounds and invite them to explore our wonderfully diverse history, culture, and literature.

February 16, 2010, is the deadline for nominating museums and libraries for the 2010 National Medal. The National Medal for Museum and Library Services, which honors outstanding institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their community, now includes an honor for libraries and museums that are advancing global cultural understanding. I hope you will take the time to recognize your museums and libraries for the deep connection they make with their communities.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life's most important and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” Museums and libraries are answering this call and providing visitors tools they need to thrive.

Anne-Imelda M. Radice, IMLS Director

ALA Mid-Winter Meeting, Mamie Bittner, Deputy Director, Office of Policy, Planning, Research and Communications, Boston, MA, January 13-17.

International Digital Cultural Content Forum, Joyce Ray, Associate Deputy Director for Library Services, Vancouver, Canada, February 2-4.

George Washington University Museum Education Graduate Program, Schroeder Cherry, Counselor to the Director, Washington, D.C., February 12.

Digital Media and Learning Conference, Marsha Semmel, Deputy Director for Museum Services and Director for Strategic Partnerships, La Jolla, CA, February 18-20.

“IMLS Grant Opportunities for Small Museums,” Reagan Moore, Program Specialist, Small Museum Association, Ocean City, MD, February 21-23.