Two ASTC members are among the ten institutions honored with the National Medial for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.
The award is bestowed annually by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In a release, IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum said, “these institutions and their dedicated staff are stepping up to anticipate and meet the needs of their individual communities…. These 10 recipients are unparalleled sources of education, health, jobs, and cultural resources, bridging the gaps of distance, resources, and experience for community members.”
Congratulations to these two ASTC members:
Children’s Museum Houston
Houston, Texas
Discovery Museum
Acton, Massachusetts
Joining these ASTC members as 2024 medalists are three other museums—Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson, Arizona), The Louis Armstrong House Museum (Queens, New York), and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)—and five libraries—The Copper Queen Library (Bisbee, Arizona), DC Public Library (Washington, D.C.), Griswold Memorial Library (Colrain, Massachusetts), Harris County Public Library (Houston, Texas), and Kent District Library (Comstock Park, Michigan).
Recipients were chosen from 30 national finalists announced earlier this year, a list which included a total of five ASTC members. The medals will be presented at a ceremony this summer in Washington, D.C.
Over its 30-year history, the program has honored 212 institutions that exemplified extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service. Many ASTC members have received the medal, include two of last year’s honorees: COSI (Columbus, Ohio) and Museum of Discovery and Science (Fort Lauderdale, Florida).
Additional Information:
- 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.
- Children’s Museum Houston, “We Won 2024 IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service!,” May 21, 2024.
- Discovery Museum, “Discovery Museum Recognized as a 2024 Recipient of the Nation’s Highest Museum and Library Honor,” May 21, 2024.
- National Medal for Museum and Library Service