California Digital Library Named National Medal for Museum and Library Service Finalist
We are honored to share that the California Digital Library has been named as a finalist for the 19th annual National Medal for Museum and Library Service for our work on Calisphere. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries by the Institute for Museum and Library Services in recognition of service to the community and for making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
The 2013 National Medal finalists exemplify the great diversity of libraries and museums and include a school library, county library systems, individual libraries, children’s museums, conservancy and botanical gardens and more, and hail from across the country.
The National Medal winners will be named later this spring, and representatives from winning institutions will travel to Washington, D.C. and be honored at the National Medal award ceremony. Winning institutions also receive a visit from StoryCorps, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs.
Because the National Medal celebrates institutions that are committed to community service, IMLS will feature this year’s finalists on social media platforms and provide an opportunity for users of Calisphere to share their stories on the IMLS Facebook page. If you or a colleague has used Calisphere in the path of your research or teaching, please post a story about the value Calisphere has brought you.
Museums and libraries serve as community gathering places and centers for lifelong learning, and we are very proud to announce the California Digital Library as a finalist for the 2013 National Medal,” said Susan Hildreth, director, Institute of Museum and Library Services. “This year’s finalists exemplify the many wonderful ways museums and libraries can respond to the needs and wants of the communities they serve.”
CDL’s executive director, Laine Farley stated, “Calisphere exemplifies the University of California – California Digital Library’s public service mission. It is a free, public website of more than 230,000 primary sources including historical photographs, letters, drawings and other artifacts with an emphasis on California’s storied history. These materials have been digitized and contributed by more than 115 libraries, archives and museums in California, representing the distinctiveness of cultures and communities throughout the state. The result is a treasure trove of materials from California’s most venerable institutions, free and open to online exploration from anywhere in the world.”
We have been recognized for Calisphere, a service that contributes positively to all levels of researchers seeking primary sources materials. We are grateful for IMLS’s support and are honored to be recognized as a finalist for the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
Visit the IMLS Facebook page and Share Your Story today!
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 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the California Digital Library
The California Digital Library (CDL) supports the University of California libraries in their mission of providing access to the world’s knowledge for the UC campuses and the communities they serve through the development and management of digital collections, innovation in scholarly publishing and the long-term preservation of digital information. The University of California library system, which includes more than 100 libraries on the 10 UC campuses, collectively is the largest research/academic library in the world. More information about CDL is available at www.cdlib.org.