Last night, two ASTC members were among the ten organizations receiving the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. The honorees were announced in May, but the formal presentation was held on July 30 at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.
The awards were presented by Cyndee Landrum, Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Laura Huerta Migus, Deputy Director for Museum Services, and Anthony Smith, Acting Deputy Director for Library Services.
ASTC joined in celebrating all of this year’s recipients alongside the National Museum and Library Services Board, IMLS staff, other leaders from the museum and library sector, community representatives, local and national elected officials, and other supporters of our field.
Children’s Museum Houston
Recognized for its child-centered learning that improves the trajectory for all children, Children’s Museum Houston serves more than 700,000 at its main facility, 1/3 of whom attend for free.
But the museum also meets its community where they are, serving students and families at 277 locations across the greater Houston area. This includes partnerships with more than a dozen school districts, allowing the museum to bring science into schools around the region.
Discovery Museum
Discovery Museum (Acton, Massachusetts) ignites curiosity and creativity, “empowering young minds to explore the wonders of the world around them,” including through an accessible treehouse classroom 15 feet in the air. The museum fosters a love of STEAM not only at its location, but in the community; just this past year, they brought science learning to 2,700 classrooms and 53,500 students.
The museum has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability, not only generating its own electricity via an on-site solar array, but sharing excess green energy with four other local nonprofits and 11 homes.
In addition to the two ASTC members, IMLS awarded three other museums and five libraries:
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson, Arizona)
- Copper Queen Library (Bisbee, Arizona)
- DC Public Library (Washington, D.C.)
- Griswold Memorial Library (Colrain, Massachusetts)
- Harris County Public Library (Houston, Texas)
- Kent District Library (Comstock Park, Michigan)
- Louis Armstrong House Museum (Queens, New York)
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Additional Information:
- IMLS. “IMLS to Present National Medal for Museum and Library Service at The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum,” July 30 2024.
- ASTC. “Children’s Museum Houston and Discovery Museum honored with National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” May 21, 2024.
- IMLS. “IMLS Selects 2024 Winners for Nation’s Highest Museum and Library Honor,” May 21, 2024.
- ASTC. “Five ASTC members named finalists for 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” March 27, 2024.
- National Medals for Museum and Library Service.