Five Public Libraries Win IMLS National Medal
By Lynn Blumenstein Nov 18, 2010The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has selected five libraries and five museums to receive the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
The nation's highest honor awarded to these institutions acknowledges the innovative ways they serve their communities. It includes a $10,000 prize and a visit from StoryCorps, which records and preserves stories from ordinary Americans.
"This year's National Medal winners are serving their communities with innovative and creative new approaches to lifelong learning, commitment to addressing diverse community needs, plain old hard work, and a lot of heart," said IMLS Acting Director Marsha L. Semmel in a press release.
Nashville Public Library
Nashville Public Library (NPL) is recognized for its "work to improve literacy and embrace diversity." One measure of NPL's successful outreach is its 264,958 active cardholders, who accurately represent the diversity of its service area.
NPL reaches out to children at Head Start centers with its Bringing Books to Life effort, which uses marionettes to perform story times. Through its Limitless Libraries program, NPL has made it easier for students at 16 high schools to borrow materials via interlibrary loan.
"(Director) Donna Nicely and her team deserve tremendous credit for leading our library through tough times without compromising excellence," said Rep. Jim Cooper, D-TN, who whose office is located in NPL's Main Library.
Patchogue-Medford Library
The Patchogue-Medford Library (PML), NY, is acknowledged for services to its substantial Spanish-speaking population (24 percent) with an emphasis on combining English-and Spanish-speaking groups whenever possible.
PML's Language Café gives teens the opportunity to practice conversational Spanish. PML offers bilingual story time and donates Spanish and English books, bilingual literacy kits, and parenting materials to Head Start centers.
According to Rep. Tim Bishop, D-NY, "The Patchogue-Medford Library is a lynchpin of the area's revitalization."
Peter White Public Library
Peter White Public Library (PWPL), Marquette, MI, has leveraged partnerships and fundraising efforts to offer educational and arts programs above and beyond many other libraries of its size (a service area of 36,000); its circulation and attendance numbers are triple the amount of similar libraries in the state.
The popularity of a photography exhibit focusing on mental illness spurred a three-month mental health series produced in conjunction with local health organizations. PWPL also partners with the city's arts and culture center to sponsor theater and music programming.
"Our customers know we strive to exceed expectations in meeting their needs," said Toni Eppensteiner, PWPL Board of Trustees President.
Rangeview District Library
Rangeview District Library (RDL), Thornton, CO, is acknowledged for its innovative "WordThink" customer service overhaul, which notably eliminated the Dewey Decimal System and replaced it with words like cooking, home, and travel, as LJ recently reported in a cover story on the Anythink model in the November 15 issue.
Since the switch from numbers to words, circulation has tripled. RDL will continue its customer-centric focus by using the award funds for a collaborative public art project, "This is Who We Are," which partners local installation artists with library customers to create permanent art pieces for RDL's seven libraries.
"Never underestimate the power of a talented group of people who set out to achieve a heroic goal," said Anythink library director Pam Sandlian Smith.
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
West Bloomfield Township Public Library (WBTPL), MI, was selected for its outreach and collaborative efforts, including the Grow Up Reading interactive learning environments located in two branches, developed with Friendship Circle, a local facility for children with special needs. WBTPL's Help is Here/Tough Times initiative delivers programs and resources to the unemployed and underemployed.
"This library is truly a comprehensive educational environment," said Sen. Carl Levin. D-MI. "The library has gone further in these times of economic need... above and beyond the call of duty, and for that they are truly deserving of this award."
