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Savannah Young, syoung@vancomm.com, 202-248-5446

IMLS Selects Winners for Nation's Highest Museum and Library Honor
National Medal for Museum and Library Service Recognizes Eight Institutions for Community Contributions

Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced the eight recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1996, the award has honored 182 institutions that exemplified extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service. Over the past 29 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.

“IMLS is delighted to announce the eight worthy recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “The staff at these inspiring institutions dedicate themselves each day to supporting the health and growth of their communities, serving in their unique individual ways as centers of excellence and passion. We look forward to honoring their accomplishments in Washington, D.C. this summer!”

Selected from 30 national finalists, the 2023 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 2023 National Medal recipients are:

Libraries:

• Kuskokwim Consortium Library (Bethel, AK)
• LA County Library (Los Angeles, CA)
• Long Branch Free Public Library (Long Branch, NJ)
• Toledo Lucas County Public Library (Toledo, OH)

Museums:

• Center of Science and Industry (COSI) (Columbus, OH)
• Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum (Buffalo, WY)
• Museum of Discovery and Science (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
• Riverside Art Museum (Riverside, CA)

The award will be presented at a ceremony this summer in Washington, DC. For a complete list of 2023 finalists and to learn more about the National Medal winners, visit the IMLS website.

IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. In support of the intrinsic role that libraries and museums play in promoting informed, healthy, vibrant communities, IMLS awarded $244.9 million total grant funding in Fiscal Year 2022. IMLS awarded $28.3 million across 225 projects through its competitive library grant programs, and $44.6 million across 280 projects through its competitive museum grant programs. Representing the largest source of federal funding support for library services, IMLS additionally funded 59 grants totaling $168.8 million in funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Freely Associated Territories through its population based formula, Grants to States program.

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 Twitter.