Program Overview
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service
(formerly the National Award) honors outstanding institutions
that make significant and exceptional contributions to their
communities. Selected institutions demonstrate extraordinary
and innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the
expected levels of community outreach and core programs generally
associated with its services. The medal includes prizes of
$10,000 to each recipient and an awards ceremony to be held
in Washington, DC.
Qualifications and Criteria for Selection
The main qualification for selection is community service,
as demonstrated by the institution's ongoing commitment, at
every level, to its community.
Nominations should describe:
• The institution's goals in serving its community.
• The population served.
• How the institution works together with the community
to achieve the goals.
• The outcome of this effort during the past two to three
years.
• How the institution will sustain these efforts in the
future.
The National Museum and Library Services Board
reviews the nominations and makes recommendations to the IMLS
Director, who makes the final selection.
Eligibility
Public or private nonprofit institutions are eligible
to receive this award. Nominated institutions must be open to
the general public for at least 120 days per year and be located
in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern
Mariana Islands, or the Freely Associated States in the Pacific.
Federally operated institutions are not eligible for the medal.
A friends group associated with a single museum or library is
not an eligible entity.
When an institution receives a National Medal
for Museum and Library Service, it becomes eligible for renomination
only after 10 years have elapsed.
Nomination Information
An institution may be nominated by one of its own employees
or by a member of the community with a special interest in the
institution. If you are an employee of the museum or library
you are nominating, please state your title. If you are a member
of the community, please indicate your particular interest in
the institution.
The nomination must include the following five
parts (Sections A-E below). Do not include additional cover
letters, binders, folders or attachments.
A. Cover Sheet (pages one and
two of the Nomination
Form)
B. Statement of Purpose/Mission Statement
& Brief Institutional History
Provide the institution’s mission statement or
statement of purpose as well as a brief institutional history
(not to exceed one single-spaced page; no less than 12-point
type).
C. Narrative
The narrative should address the following questions
thoroughly and succinctly (not to exceed five single-space pages;
no less than 12-point type). The jurors determining the pool
of potential medal winners will focus closely on your answers
to these questions.
1. What are the institution’s goals for community service?
How do these goals reflect the institution’s mission and
strategic plan? How do they reflect an assessment of the broader
community’s learning or informational needs?
2. Describe the population groups/communities the institution
is reaching through its community services and provide examples
of the programs and services that have been developed for these
communities. How are the programs and services evaluated to
determine whether they are successfully meeting the needs of
the audiences?
3. How does the institution work with other organizations within
the broader community to provide programs and services and to
play a leadership role?
4. How does the institution demonstrate sustained commitment
to the community?
D. Institutional Financial Statements
Include a copy of your institution’s financial
statements for the past two complete fiscal years. If at time
of nomination your fiscal year is complete but not yet audited,
please submit these unaudited figures and label as such.
If your institution is part of a larger organization
(municipal government, university, etc.) do not include financial
statements for the parent organization, only for the nominee.
E. Letters of Support
An institution may submit up to three letters of support
with the nomination. These letters should come from community
members who have direct knowledge of the institution’s
community service. It is recommended that the letters come from
different segments of the broader community served by the institution.
These letters should be addressed to the Director of the Institute
of Museum and Library Services (see below) and included with
the nomination mailing.
Nominations must be postmarked by February
17, 2009 to this address (no faxes or emails will be
accepted):
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Office of the Director
Institute of Museum and Library Services
1800 M St. NW 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-5802 |
