The following is a text-only press release from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. To read an HTML version, please access: http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/102103.htm <http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/102103.htm> October 21, 2003 Press Contacts at IMLS: 202/606-8339 Eileen Maxwell <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Mamie Bittner <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Three Museums and Three Libraries to Receive National Award for Library and Museum Service: The Country's Highest Honor for Extraordinary Community Service Provided by Museums and Libraries Carries with It a $10,000 Award WASHINGTON, DC - Dr. Robert S. Martin, Director of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, today announced the 2003 recipients of the National Awards for Museum and Library Service. This is the nation's highest honor for the extraordinary public service provided by these institutions. Each of these institutions will receive a $10,000 award. The winners of the National Award for Library Service are: Bozeman Public Library (Bozeman, Montana) Free Library of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Pocahontas County Free Libraries (Marlinton, West Virginia) The winners of the National Award for Museum Service are: Carnegie Science Center, (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, (San Angelo, Texas) USS Constitution Museum, (Boston, Massachusetts) Recognizing the important role of museums and libraries in American society, the Institute annually awards museums and libraries that exhibit outstanding service to their communities. The recipients will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC, (date to be announced). The ceremony is made possible by 3M, EBSCO Information Services, Metal Edge, Inc., netLibrary, and Southwest Museum Services. The National Awards for Museum and Library Service honor institutions for their outstanding social, educational, environmental, or economic contributions to their communities. "Through partnerships with schools, businesses, social service agencies, and many other groups, these museums and libraries have uplifted lives, improved neighborhoods, and made our nation better," said Dr. Martin. The awards were created to underscore the vital role of museums and libraries as leaders in our democratic society. The winners are as diverse as the cultural landscape of our county: small and large, urban and rural. They have one thing in common: they have each found innovative ways to make serving the community central to their mission. They use their collections and programs to address real community needs. "As the primary source of federal funding for the nation's libraries and museums, the Institute of Museum and Library Services has a unique vantage point of the vital role these institutions play in American society," Dr. Martin added. "This award celebrates communities, it celebrates achievement and civic engagement, and it celebrates learning throughout the lifetime. As a nation of learners we use libraries and museums everyday to assist us on our quest for discovery and to satisfy our need to know." All Profiles of the 2003 Recipients, the 2003 National Awards Brochure, a Fact Sheet All about the National Awards, and a List of Past Recipients, can be found on the IMLS Web site at: http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/102103.htm <http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/102103.htm> Nominate a Museum and/or Library for a 2004 Award (Application Deadline: February 15) see also: http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/102103.htm <http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/102103.htm> The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners. The Institute fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries. The Institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit of libraries and museums. To learn more about the Institute, please log onto: <http://www.imls.gov> http://www.imls.gov. ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).