Chapel Hill Review

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has announced that the Chapel Hill Public Library in North Carolina has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This honor is regarded as the highest recognition given to museums and libraries across the nation.

Congresswoman Valerie Foushee put forth the nomination for the Chapel Hill Public Library, emphasizing its crucial role in serving the community by promoting literacy, lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and providing access to information.

Interim Library Director Meeghan Rosen expressed the library's excitement about being named a finalist, attributing the achievement to the hard work and dedication of the staff and community partnerships. Rosen stated, “It's a testament to our collaborative, empathetic, and community-driven staff. Their commitment to community service helps make our community a better place. It's also a testament to our community partners, who make us a better library. We are honored to be nominated.”

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson commended the library team for their efforts in engaging the entire community. Mayor Anderson, who has served on the Library Advisory Board, acknowledged the positive impact of having such an innovative and community-driven organization in Chapel Hill.

The Chapel Hill Public Library, known as one of North Carolina's busiest libraries, serves over 60,000 cardholders and circulates more than 1,000,000 items annually. The library's selection as a finalist underscores its commitment to providing innovative programs, services, and resources that enrich the lives of patrons.

The winners of the National Medal will be revealed in late May, with the award ceremony scheduled to take place at The White House later this summer. To commemorate 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 details about the National Medal and to view the complete list of finalists, interested individuals can visit the IMLS website. To explore further about the Chapel Hill Public Library, visit chapelhillpubliclibrary.org. Media inquiries can be directed to Hannah Olson Kanwischer at holson@townofchapelhill.org.

IMLS is recognized as the primary federal supporter of the nation's libraries and museums, working towards advancing, supporting, and empowering these institutions through various initiatives. The organization envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries for learning and inspiration. To discover more, visit www.imls.gov and follow them on Facebook and LinkedIn.