NEWS RELEASE

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced the 10 recipients of the 2024 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 1994, the award has honored 212 institutions that exemplified extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service. Over the past 30 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities. Griswold Memorial Library in Colrain is the first public library in Massachusetts to receive this prestigious award.

“IMLS is delighted to announce the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “These institutions and their dedicated staff are stepping up to anticipate and meet the needs of their individual communities. From New York to Arizona, these 10 recipients are unparalleled sources of education, health, jobs, and cultural resources, bridging the gaps of distance, resources, and experience for community members. We look forward to honoring their accomplishments in Washington, DC, this summer!”

Maureen Amyot, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), attended the ceremony in Washington, D.C.  In recent years, Griswold Memorial Library was the recipient of several grants from the MBLC’s federally funded direct grants program.  The library launched IdeaLab, a movable makerspace which allowed for efficient use of the library’s limited area and housed both circulating and non-circulating tools, materials, and kits for a variety of creative endeavors. Complementary workshops were offered to bring the community together for lifelong learning events and to showcase the talent of local residents, who were also workshop presenters. In addition, A People’s History of Colrain was started to engage community members in the production of a podcast series that tells the stories of Colrainers who have been overlooked by history. The project works with many groups including Colrain Elementary School, Greenfield Community Television, Mohawk Trail Regional School, Ohketeau Cultural Center, and Piti Theatre Company.

Selected from 30 national finalists, the 2024 National Medal 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 2024 National Medal recipients are:

Libraries:

The Copper Queen Library (Bisbee, AZ)

DC Public Library (Washington, DC)

Griswold Memorial Library (Colrain, MA)

Harris County Public Library (Houston, TX)

Kent District Library (Comstock Park, MI)

Museums:

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson, AZ)

Children’s Museum Houston (Houston, TX)

Discovery Museum (Acton, MA)

The Louis Armstrong House Museum (Queens, NY)

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Pittsburgh, PA)

The award was presented at a ceremony on July 30 in Washington, DC. For a complete list of 2024 finalists and to learn more about the National Medal winners, visit the IMLS website.

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 LinkedIn.