IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum will bestow the nation’s highest museum and library honor on ten institutions
Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced that the award ceremony for the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Services will be held at The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum this evening. IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum will present the National Medal to ten institutions that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1994, the award has honored more than 200 institutions that exemplify extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service. Over the past 30 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.
“IMLS is thrilled to recognize this year’s ten recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service at the beautiful Renwick Gallery in the heart of Washington, DC,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “This is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries, and we are grateful for the opportunity to come together and celebrate these inspiring institutions that are the heart of their communities, ensuring that they are informed, healthy, and vibrant.”
Selected from 30 national finalists, the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service winners represent institutions that provide dynamic programming and services that exceed expected levels of service. Through their community outreach, these institutions bring about change that touches the lives of individuals and helps communities thrive.
The 2024 National Medal recipients are:
Libraries:
- Copper Queen Library (Bisbee, AZ)
- DC Public Library (Washington, DC)
- Griswold Memorial Library (Colrain, MA)
- Harris County Public Library (Houston, TX)
- Kent District Library (Comstock Park, MI)
Museums:
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson, AZ)
- Children’s Museum Houston (Houston, TX)
- Discovery Museum (Acton, MA)
- The Louis Armstrong House Museum (Queens, NY)
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Pittsburgh, PA)
Read more about what they do to connect with and engage their communities in the 2024 National Medals brochure. To learn more about the museums and libraries who have previously been selected to receive a National Medal, visit www.imls.gov/medals.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service until September 6. Anyone, including the organization’s employees, board members, community members, and elected officials, may nominate a museum or library for this honor. An organization that is nominated either by an outside nominator or by self-nomination must complete the Nomination Form to be considered. Components of the nomination form include organizational information, an overview and narrative, and letters of support. For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the National Medal nomination page.
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 libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.