Ten are Winners of National Medal for Museum and Library Services
Apr-24-2014
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has announced the names of 10 museums and libraries in the United States that will be awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
Booth Library on the campus of Eastern Illinois University was named a finalist for this honor; however, it was not chosen as one of the five libraries to receive the medal.
Dean of Library Services Allen Lanham said that while it was disheartening to learn the library was not chosen for the medal, he is extremely proud that Booth Library was named a finalist for this honor. Finalists were selected from nominations of libraries and museums that demonstrate innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. Booth Library was one of only 15 libraries, and the only academic library, honored from across the nation.
“In addition to our core mission of providing information services to our students and faculty, we consistently try to present exhibits and public programs to the campus and Charleston-area community,” Lanham said. “To be recognized for these efforts was truly special, and we will wear our status as a national finalist as a badge of honor.”
Lanham thanked the many members of the campus and community for their kind remarks and support since the library was named a finalist. “Dozens of patrons shared their positive stories about Booth Library on Facebook, and many others contacted me privately,” he said. “It was very humbling to read and hear all of these comments.”
The 2014 winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service are:
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Chicago Public Library, Chicago, Ill.
• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind.
• Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence, Mo.
• Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, Conn.
• North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, N.C.
• Octavia Fellin Public Library, Gallup, N.M.
• Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Norman, Okla.
• Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, Mass.
To learn more about the 2014 National Medal finalists, visit
here. To learn more about Booth Library, visit
here or find the library on Facebook or Twitter.
