Nominations for National Medal for Museum and Library Service

Award Name: National Medal for Museum & Library Service

Sponsor: Institute of Museum & Library Services

Important Dates:

• Nomination submissions & letters of support due Nov. 2, 2020 by 11:59 PM
• Notification: Spring 2021

Application: Click to LEARN MORE and access nomination form.

The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the nation’s highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Since 1994, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has presented the award to institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to community service. 

Program Overview: The National Medals program recognizes outstanding libraries and museums of all types and sizes that deeply impact their communities by:

• fostering a lifelong passion for learning for all people, nourishing curiosity and imagination from early childhood through adulthood, for people of all abilities and needs;
• providing access to information through advancing digital capacity, focusing on digital inclusion and access to digital and informational resources, including e-books and materials to help address workforce development and public health;
• transforming the lives of community members by being trusted community spaces for convening, connection, and conversation; enlightenment and shared thoughts and opinions; and preserving natural and cultural heritage and community memory;
• continuing to engage their communities during the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic and enhanced focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, through providing information, programming, and services virtually, or taking innovative and imaginative steps toward continuing services and reopening their physical spaces.

View the FY 2021 National Medal Nominee Information Session to learn more about the nomination process, eligibility criteria, and tips for completing the application.

For questions about the nomination process, please contact:

• Libraries: Laura McKenzie at lmckenzie@imls.gov
• Museums: Mark Feitl at mfeitl@imls.gov
• For all other questions: nationalmedals@imls.gov