The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries.
Chapel Hill, NC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced today that Chapel Hill Public Library is a finalist for the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries. Out of 30 finalists from all over the country, Chapel Hill Public Library is the only finalist from North Carolina.
Congresswoman Valerie Foushee nominated the Chapel Hill Public Library for the award. She highlighted how the library serves the needs of the community through promoting literacy, lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and access to information.
“Chapel Hill Public Library is thrilled to be named a 2024 IMLS National Medal Finalist. It's a testament to our collaborative, empathetic, and community-driven staff. Their commitment to community service helps make our community a better place,” said Interim Library Director Meeghan Rosen. “It's also a testament to our community partners, who make us a better library. We are honored to be nominated.”
Chapel Hill Public Library is one of North Carolina's busiest libraries, serving more than 60,000 cardholders and circulating more than 1,000,000 items annually. The library's selection as a finalist reflects its dedication to offering innovative programs, services, and resources that enhance patrons' lives.
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson said, “I’m incredibly proud of our amazing Chapel Hill Public Library team, who work so hard to truly engage our entire community. Having served for many years on the Library Advisory Board, I know first-hand the difference it makes for all of us to have this innovative, community-driven organization in Chapel Hill.”
Winners of the National Medal will be announced in late May, and the winning institutions will be honored during a National Medal Ceremony at The White House this summer.
To celebrate this achievement, the Chapel Hill community is encouraged to share their stories, memories, pictures, and videos about the library on social media using the hashtags #ShareYourStory and #IMLSmedals.
For more information about the National Medal and to see the full list of finalists, please visit the IMLS website. To learn more about Chapel Hill Public Library, visit chapelhillpubliclibrary.org.
For media inquiries, please contact Hannah Olson Kanwischer, holson@townofchapelhill.org.
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 libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow them on Facebook and LinkedIn.