Each year the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) recognizes museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to service in their communities. The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the US government’s highest honor for extraordinary service by these institutions. IMLS is now accepting nominations for the 2016 medal. Nomination forms are due October 1, 2015.
All types of nonprofit libraries and library organizations—including academic, school, and special libraries; archives; library associations; and library consortia—are eligible to receive this honor. Public or private nonprofit museums of any discipline (including general, art, history, science and technology, children’s, and natural history and anthropology), as well as historic houses and sites, arboretums, nature centers, aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, and planetariums are eligible.
Winners are honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC; host a two-day visit from StoryCorps to record community member stories; and receive positive media attention. Approximately 30 finalists are selected as part of the process and are featured by IMLS during a six-week social media and press campaign.
For more details and to nominate an institution—including your own—for the 2016 medal, see the July 22, 2015, IMLS press release, “Call for Nominations: 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.”
