COSI and MODS receive National Medal for Museum and Library Service

Two ASTC members are among eight institutions honored with 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 award is bestowed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In a release, IMLS Director Crosby Kemper said, “the staff at these inspiring institutions dedicate themselves each day to supporting the health and growth of their communities, serving in their unique individual ways as centers of excellence and passion.”

Congratulations to these two ASTC members:

Joining COSI and the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) as this year’s honorees are two other museums—Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum (Buffalo, Wyoming) and Riverside Art Museum (Riverside, California)—and four libraries—Kuskokwim Consortium Library (Bethel, Alaska), LA County Library (Los Angeles, California), Long Branch Free Public Library (Long Branch, New Jersey), and Toledo Lucas County Public Library (Toledo, Ohio).

Recipients were chosen from 30 national finalists announced earlier this year, a list which included a total of six ASTC members. The award will be presented at a ceremony this summer in Washington, D.C.

Over more than 25 years, the award has been bestowed upon 182 institutions that exemplified extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, including many ASTC members.

Additional Information

• IMLS. “IMLS Selects Winners for Nation’s Highest Museum and Library Honor,” May 23, 2023.
• COSI. “The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) Recognized as a 2023 Recipient of Nation’s Highest Museum and Library Honor,” May 23, 2023.
• MODS. “National Medal For Museum And Library Service Recognizes Community Contributions Of Fort Lauderdale Science Museum,” May 23, 2023.
• ASTC. “Six ASTC members named finalists for National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” March 28, 2023.
• National Medal for Museum and Library Service