The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release with photos can be read on the agency's Web site at http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408.shtm. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 14, 2008 Press Contact 202-653-4632 or 202-330-7736 (cell) Jeannine Mjoseth, [log in to unmask] To access high resolution photos of each winner with the First Lady and IMLS Director Anne Radice, click on the numbered links below. High-resolution images are available for press and public use by clicking on the thumbnail image. Mrs. Laura Bush Recognizes Top Ten Museums and Libraries at White House Ceremony; Receives First National Medal Alabama, California, Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington DC, Oregon, and Vermont Institutions Honored WASHINGTON, DC--Institute of Museum and Library Services Director Anne-Imelda Radice, PhD, bestowed on First Lady Laura Bush the first National Medal for Museum and Library Service at the White House January 14. Mrs. Bush deserves the newly-minted medal for her tireless championing of the nation's museums and libraries, Radice said at a ceremony celebrating the 10 winners of the 2007 National Medals for Museum and Library Service. The National Medals are the nation's highest award for museums and libraries that make exceptional contributions to their communities. The awards are made annually by IMLS, the primary source of federal funding for museums and libraries, in coordination with the White House. This is the first year that IMLS has awarded medals to the 10 institutions along with a $10,000 prize; in previous years, the National Medal was known as the National Award for Museum and Library Service and was awarded to three museums and three libraries. Five libraries and five museums from Alabama, California, Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington DC, Oregon, and Vermont received the National Medals. The winners are: 1. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham, Alabama: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_bcri.shtm 2. Brookfield Zoo of the Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_brookfield.shtm 3. Georgetown County Library, Georgetown, South Carolina: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_georgetown.shtm 4. Kim Yerton Branch of the Humboldt County Library, Hoopa, California: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_kimyerton.shtm 5. Memphis Public Library & Information Center, Memphis, Tennessee: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_memphis.shtm 6. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_nmwa.shtm 7. The Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_nwberry.shtm 8. Ocean County Library, Toms River, New Jersey: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_ocean.shtm 9. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Oregon: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_omsi.shtm 10. Vermont Historical Society, Barre, Vermont: http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/011408_vhs.shtm Important Links: Nominate a Museum or Library for a National Medal: http://www.imls.gov/about/medals.shtm First Lady Laura Bush's Full Remarks: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080114-4.html Anne Radice's Full Remarks: http://www.imls.gov/news/speeches/011408.shtm 2007 National Medals Brochure: http://www.imls.gov/pdf/2007Medals.pdf (PDF, 1MB) Past Winners of the National Awards for Museum and Library Service: http://www.imls.gov/results.asp?program=1006,1005&description=on&sort=ye ar 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 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit http://www.imls.gov. IMLS would like to thank the following organizations for their generous support of the National Medals celebration: AT&T, The History Channel, 3M Library Systems, and Metal Edge, Inc., Archival Storage Materials. ========================================================= 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).