First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and IMLS Director Crosby Kemper will bestow on eight institutions the nation’s highest museum and library honor

Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced that the award ceremony for the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Services will be held at the White House on July 17. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and IMLS Director Crosby Kemper will present the National Medal to eight 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 29 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.

“IMLS is delighted to recognize the eight worthy recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service at the White House, alongside First Lady Dr. Jill Biden,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “This is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries, and we are grateful to the First Lady for joining us in recognizing these inspiring institutions that go above and beyond to uplift their communities. Thank you, Dr. Biden, for your continuous support in advancing and empowering America’s museums and libraries.”

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)

To learn more about the museums and libraries who have previously been selected to receive a National Medal, visit www.imls.gov.

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.