NC State Libraries received the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from first lady Michelle Obama and the director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Kathryn Matthew, Wednesday in the East Room of the White House. 

The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is awarded to 10 institutions from across the country for exceptional service to their communities. This annual event is considered the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries. 

“Day after day, year after year, our nation’s libraries and museums are here for our communities. And at the end of the day, you all don’t measure your impact by the number of books on your shelves or pieces in your exhibits, but by the young people you inspire, the lives you transform, and the impact you have every single day on your communities,” Obama said during the ceremony, expressing the importance of our nation’s libraries and museums.

NC State Libraries vice-provost and director of libraries Susan Nutter and associate professor Marsha Gordon accepted the award on behalf of the university. During the ceremony, one member of the community representing each institution shared how that library or museum impacted their life.

Gordon has taught graduate-level film study classes for 14 years at NC State. She described how the libraries helped her energize her class research projects with their cutting-edge technology, such as the large-scale digital displays. 

“The North Carolina State University Libraries have really thought about what it means to be a 21st century library,” Gordon said. “It’s a perfect combination of offerings that help students learn and experience intellectual and creative flexibility.”

The IMLS is a primary source of government funding for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. They give grants and develop policies to help libraries and museums serve their communities. 

The 2016 winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service were selected from 30 finalists across the country. The finalists were selected by the Director of the IMLS with the National Museum and Library Services Board based on their impactful programs and services that go beyond their communities.

“This year’s National Medal recipients show the transforming role of museums and libraries from educational destinations to full-fledged community partners and anchors,” Matthew said. “We are proud to recognize the extraordinary institutions that play an essential role in reaching underserved populations and catalyzing new opportunities for active local involvement.”

This is the 22nd year for the award. The director of IMLS encourages community members to share their stories of how local institutions impacted their lives on social media.

StoryCorp, a national nonprofit, has begun recording and sharing the stories of community members of the winning institutions by visiting each institution. StoryCorp has produced over 1000 films, which can found in the Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.In her remarks to last year’s winners, the first lady expressed how proud and grateful she was for the roles these institutions play in their communities. 

“In many communities, our libraries and museums are the places that help young people dream bigger and reach higher for their futures; the places that help new immigrants learn English and apply for citizenship; the places where folks access a computer and send a job application so they can get back to work and get back to the important process of supporting their families,” Obama said. “So every day, you all bring so much hope and so many life-changing opportunities to folks across this country.”

The recipients of the medal will receive a $10,000 award to continue the work in their communities.