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(upbeat music)

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- As the director of
the Institute of Museum

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and Library Services

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it's my profound pleasure and high honor

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to present the National
Medals for outstanding service

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of libraries and museums.

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This signature IMLS program
is one of the nation's highest

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honors that a library
or a museum can receive.

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The six medalists honored today,

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join 170 previous medalists
from the last 25 years

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representing the best
of community service,

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cultural engagement,

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and outreach to the multitude of audiences

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that these institutions serve every day.

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These six medalists performed
at the highest level

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during the most difficult
times in recent memory.

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With communities locking down

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and hundreds of thousands of
Americans losing their lives,

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they continue to be
central and indispensable

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in responding to the pandemic.

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Frontline librarians and
museum staff found new

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and imaginative ways to
offer service in the face of

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unprecedented challenge.

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As mask mandates lifted,

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and we curtailed social distancing

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for the increasingly
vaccinated public this summer,

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where did everyone go?

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To the beach and the
baseball games to be sure,

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but there were stunning crowds in museums

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and steady streams of
patrons at libraries.

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Where we headed,

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where we hadn't been during the lockdowns

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tells the story of the
importance of libraries

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and museums to the culture
and community of our country.

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(soft music)

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(soft upbeat music)

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(bright upbeat music)

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Cabell County Public
Library has been the center

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of it's Huntington,
West Virginia community,

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where the Ohio River forms
the junction of Kentucky, Ohio

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and West Virginia.

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In a high poverty part of the nation

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Cabell County has for a long time

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offered significant social
and literary services

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in partnership with many
community organizations

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and state and local government.

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During the pandemic closure,

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the library kept the drive-in window open

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and held 179 virtual programs.

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They were able to reopen
quickly on June 1st, 2020

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and literacy programming, story walks,

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book festivals continue
to make the library

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a home for readers in the
history of Cabell County.

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- Hi everyone.

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I'm Grace Gooding,

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and I'm so proud to introduce
you to my hometown library,

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Cabell County Public Library.

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It really comes down to
one word connections.

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That's what drives the
staff and the spirit

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of our Huntington, West Virginia library,

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which has been serving
our tri-state community

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for more than a century.

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Beyond the books, computers
and diverse library programming

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they spark our imagination
and nurture our knowledge.

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You'll find staff in Cabell County,

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helping others access public services,

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short-term financial assistance

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and so many other services
that make our lives

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just a little bit better and
our futures, a little brighter.

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The connections we seek and
make with the library are

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important now more than ever.

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And we couldn't be more grateful

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'cause we're all in this together.

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(soft music)

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I raised my kids with lots
and lots and lots of time

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at Cabell County Public Library.

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Story hours on Monday nights

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were an important part
of our life for so long.

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My kids listened to stories at home,

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but it's always better
to listen to stories

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with your friends.

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- The Cabell County Public
Library has been a haven for me

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for over 50 years.

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If things get tough,

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I can always come into the
library and reinvigorate myself.

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- Cabell County Library is
spectacular for helping children.

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Both of my kids read to
therapy dogs at the library

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through a program that they had here.

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And it was good for them
to be able to read out loud

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without judgment.

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- The library affects the community

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in a lot of different ways.

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There are people that use the computers,

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whether it's job applications
or whether it's their email.

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The reading programs at the
library sponsors are wonderful.

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- [Grace] Even before COVID,

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it was a feeding site every summer.

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Kids could come eat at the library.

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- I have friends here
that have been my friends

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for 50 years.

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The library has a special
place in my heart.

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- One of the greatest things I've gained

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from going to Cabell County
Library is it provided an extra

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sort of family for my family.

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It was really great to have
yet another group of people

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who cared about us and
that we could count on.

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(soft music)

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(soft piano music)

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- It is with great pleasure

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I accept this medal on behalf

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of the Cabell County Public Library,

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the library board, staff
and community partners

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all deserve our thanks for
our attaining this award.

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Our state library and
library in Karen Goff

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also deserves our thanks.

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It is an honor, not only for the library,

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but our city, county, and even state

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for us to be so recognized.

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The city of Huntington is
celebrating its 150th anniversary.

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So the timing is perfect.

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We are recognized for
providing excellent service

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to all segments of the tri-state community

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through our information
and referral service,

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new services for the
homeless, battered women,

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and adult literacy were all established.

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We received a note of congratulations

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from a lady in Wheeling, West Virginia,

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who expressed Cabell County
receiving the award reflected

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well on libraries throughout the state

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who give exemplary service as well.

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In addition to traditional
library service,

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libraries in West Virginia
provide free notary service,

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help people get email addresses

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and fill out job applications online.

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We are fortunate our funding
is mandated by a local law,

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passed by the state legislature.

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But other libraries in West
Virginia are not so fortunate.

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Our challenge besides stable
funding is to find new ways

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to provide for the
ever-changing informational,

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educational and recreational
needs of our users.

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(soft music)

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(bright upbeat music)

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The Museo de Ponce de Arte
has used its extensive

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and widely admired collection
of more than 4,500 works

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of art

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from many cultures to focus on projects,

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serving the marginalized
and most vulnerable members

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of the Puerto Rican community.

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As the pandemic developed,

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the Museo used their connectArte program

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to reach out with art, music, storytimes,

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and even yoga to 750,000 patrons.

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The El Museo Sale a la Calle program

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was healing art outreach in public housing

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among other spaces in response
to the extraordinary series

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of hurricanes and earthquakes
Puerto Rico has experienced.

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The use of museum space, programs,

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concerts and outreach
as part of Puerto Rico's

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first response is a powerful
message for the museum world

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on the meaning of relevance and the impact

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of lifelong learning.

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(speaks foreign language)

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(soft music)

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(speaks foreign language)

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(speaks foreign language)

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(speaks foreign language)

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(speaks foreign language)

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(speaks foreign language)

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(soft music)

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(soft piano music)

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- It is with great honor and privilege

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that I accept on behalf
of Museo de Arte de Ponce

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the National Medal of 2021

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granted by the Institute of
Museum and Library Services.

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Fulfilling our mission to contribute

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to the wellbeing of our community
has been a grueling task

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during this past few years

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where several natural
disasters and the pandemic

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have turned our lives upside
down to put it mildly.

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Since the Island's wide devastation

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brought to us by Hurricane Maria in 2017

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to the earthquakes of January, 2020,

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which forced us to close our galleries.

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We have found ways to reimagine ourselves

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in order to continue
servicing our community,

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putting the most vulnerable
first as they need us the most.

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In the years to come,

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we will face important challenges

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as we all recover from the pandemic.

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And in our particular case
throughout the process

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of reconstruction of our main building.

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Nevertheless, in times of
certitude, as well as perils,

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the Museo de Arte de Ponce
has proven to embrace

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its community, serving as a
tool of transformation and hope.

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This recognition represents
the myriad of people

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that we serve,

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a source of pride for
the people of Puerto Rico

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and the most important
distinction received

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by the institution for doing
something we love and cherish.

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I am the proud leader of
a team that comes together

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in times of great need

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a team dedicated not
only to this institution,

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but to its island and its people.

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So I could not accept this medal

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without the pertinent
gratitude to the museum staff

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and the support of our board of trustees.

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Thank you to the Institute of
Museum and Library Services

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for recognizing our work and
dedication with this award.

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(soft music)

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(bright upbeat music)

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- The Memphis Public Library
has the great distinction

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of being the first institution
to win the National Medal

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for a second time.

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It's 18 branches serve
over 2 million people

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in one of the most challenged
cities in the United States.

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Countless programs serving all parts

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of the Memphis community,
include concerts,

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community dinners, hotspot checkouts,

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mobile technology van,
and STEAM Summer Camps

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and Teen Innovation Centers.

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Before and during the pandemic,

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their focus on the underserved

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and bridging the digital
divide with programs like

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LINC 211 services, meal delivery,

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and curbside pickup made
the Memphis Public Library,

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especially its frontline staff,
admired essential workers.

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The library has also
shown imaginative outreach

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with the use of its own
radio and TV stations.

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- Hello, I'm Britney Thornton

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and I'm here to represent
two-time National Medal winner,

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Memphis Public Libraries.

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The mantra I like to use is
that MPL makes it happen.

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You may know that Memphis is a haven

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for art and music lovers,

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but not all who live
here can afford concert

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or theater tickets.

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MPL fills the gap by creating
high quality cultural programs

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and making it accessible for everyone.

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They design meaningful summer experiences

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for families of all
socioeconomic backgrounds.

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They fund school robotic teams

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when resources are stretched thin

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and their staff moves
mountains for our community

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in small ways that changes lives.

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They look out for us all

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and make us feel that no
experience is out of reach.

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(soft piano music)

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- The Memphis Public Library
has affected our community

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in a very positive way.

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We have a lot of programs and activities

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for our entire community.

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We have the Bookstock,

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where we offer local authors to come in

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and showcase their books.

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And we have BOO Books.

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We open up to the community an opportunity

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for people to come in with their children

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to a safe environment

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and every child will
leave with 1 to 3 books.

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And we would have really
fantastic artists come

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put on a phenomenal concert.

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- Around the time when we were starting

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our most recent and current
project to build a shelter.

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And they just reached out to
offer services that they could

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that was well beyond what
I was accustomed to being

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traditional services of the library.

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We now have 24 bunk beds
installed inside the facility

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and we needed additional
space for people to be able to

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change clothes, wash up.

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And the team at the Memphis
Public Libraries have come in

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and created dressing closets
that we use every single day.

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- There are so many other
services and opportunities

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that our library offers

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that many people would never
be able to take advantage of,

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especially for economic reasons.

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So I think the library is an
enormous pillar of our society

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and greatly needed.

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(soft music)

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(soft piano music)

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- Hi, I'm Keenon McCloy.

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I'm the director of the
Memphis Public Libraries.

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This award from the IMLS
is so exciting and humbling

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and it's hard to put into
words what it means to us.

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We want to thank the IMLS,

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particularly director Crosby Kemper,

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Mayor Strickland, the City Council,

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the board of trustees,
Memphis Library Foundation,

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and the friends.

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Memphis is a grit and grind city.

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And our success has come
down to the hard work and

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creativity of our very dedicated staff.

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I've never been more proud of our team

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than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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While many organizations were closed

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or unsure how to proceed,

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our staff was finding
innovative strategies

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to meet the ever evolving community needs.

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Virtual programs have
included everything from

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gardening and healthy cooking at home

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to ESL classes and art courses.

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Our staff has stepped up to deliver meals,

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provide resource referrals,

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create engaging take-home activities,

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shifts summer learning and camps online.

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Much, much more has happened here.

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We'll continue to expand
our continuum of resources

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to include more offerings
for more opportunity

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for at-risk youth,

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those experiencing poverty,

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individuals with low literacy,

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job seekers and lifelong learners

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while increasing access to the arts,

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programs for new English speakers

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and those who are seeking citizenship.

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We are truly inspired
by the other honorees

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and cannot wait to keep
working towards a stronger

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00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.956
and more equitable community.

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00:16:23.956 --> 00:16:26.373
(soft music)

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00:16:31.006 --> 00:16:34.173
(bright upbeat music)

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(upbeat music)

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00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:49.120
- The High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon

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00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:52.860
says its mission is to wildly
excite and responsibly teach

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the 195,000 visitors to
its Central Oregon Campus

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nestled in the foothills
of the Cascade mountains.

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00:18:00.170 --> 00:18:01.003
In the last year,

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its focus on interdisciplinary education,

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with its natural landscape,

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170 animals and 28,000 objects

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had to go virtual,
expanding online capability

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00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:14.437
through its partnerships with
the DesChutes Public Library

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and the Bend La Pine School District.

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Its educational and social focus

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makes the most of its
great natural resources.

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They are also a participant
in the museums for all,

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an access program for low-income families

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00:18:30.050 --> 00:18:32.770
facilitated through a
partnership with the IMLS

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00:18:32.770 --> 00:18:35.480
and the association of Children's Museums.

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00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.934
The development of tribal history

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00:18:37.934 --> 00:18:39.590
and an indigenous curriculum

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00:18:39.590 --> 00:18:42.390
in partnership with Tribal
Organizations in schools

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00:18:42.390 --> 00:18:43.933
is a model of excellence.

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- A place of heritage and history.

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00:18:47.950 --> 00:18:50.090
That's what you'll find
at the High Desert Museum

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in Bend, Oregon.

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00:18:51.670 --> 00:18:52.890
I'm Miahna Corella

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00:18:52.890 --> 00:18:55.420
and I've seen the past come alive here,

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00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:57.540
whether it's through the
wonder in a child's eyes

348
00:18:57.540 --> 00:19:00.260
during a close encounter
with resident wildlife

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00:19:00.260 --> 00:19:02.270
or through partnerships with local museums

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00:19:02.270 --> 00:19:06.050
where visitors explore
firsthand sites, sounds,

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and artifacts of ancient
songs, languages, and cultures.

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They leave changed.

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00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:14.060
They leave with new
perspectives of our past,

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00:19:14.060 --> 00:19:16.400
our community, and our future.

355
00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:18.450
And they're now invested in this treasure

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00:19:18.450 --> 00:19:21.690
of the Pacific Northwest
that is unlike any other.

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Let's take a look.

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00:19:22.801 --> 00:19:25.384
(upbeat music)

359
00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:28.110
With High Desert Museum

360
00:19:28.110 --> 00:19:31.340
there's an allyship that creates momentum

361
00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:34.090
to forwarding our diversity efforts.

362
00:19:34.090 --> 00:19:35.620
- We were looking at their,

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00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:38.550
a presentation of our
tribes in their galleries.

364
00:19:38.550 --> 00:19:41.060
A few of the staff from
Warm Springs went over

365
00:19:41.060 --> 00:19:44.110
and helped them redo the
dressing and the hair.

366
00:19:44.110 --> 00:19:45.390
I think that was really amazing

367
00:19:45.390 --> 00:19:47.060
that the High Desert
Museum was open to that.

368
00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:49.990
- We just were funded on a
grant that we collaborated on

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00:19:49.990 --> 00:19:53.220
with the High Desert Museum
to provide opportunities

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00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.330
and technology.

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00:19:54.330 --> 00:19:56.750
Twenty families that are connected to

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00:19:56.750 --> 00:19:59.920
Latino Community
Association received iPads

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00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:03.900
and a one year membership
to High Desert Museum.

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00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:05.960
- [Elizabeth] High Desert
Museum did have a water exhibit

375
00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:08.450
and they brought in
Native American artists

376
00:20:08.450 --> 00:20:11.840
who were very concerned and
connected to the use of water.

377
00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.673
That was phenomenal.

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00:20:12.673 --> 00:20:15.140
- I feel that the High
Desert Museum creates

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00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:18.610
that dialogue with families advocating for

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how to make sure that people
have a strong cultural tie

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00:20:21.550 --> 00:20:24.908
to their personal identity
or their collective identity.

382
00:20:24.908 --> 00:20:27.050
- I'm fortunate now to see our museums

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00:20:27.050 --> 00:20:29.610
in the Northwest stepping
up and doing amazing things

384
00:20:29.610 --> 00:20:30.737
with their Native American

385
00:20:30.737 --> 00:20:32.040
and American Indian collections,

386
00:20:32.040 --> 00:20:35.393
as well as other diversity
challenges that are out there.

387
00:20:36.719 --> 00:20:39.636
(soft piano music)

388
00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.573
- Thank you.

389
00:20:43.573 --> 00:20:46.940
We are so honored to be the
recipient of the National Medal

390
00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:49.870
and in the very good company
of the other medal winners

391
00:20:49.870 --> 00:20:51.910
from across the country.

392
00:20:51.910 --> 00:20:53.330
To start with gratitude,

393
00:20:53.330 --> 00:20:57.000
thank you to the Institute of
Museum and Library Services

394
00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:59.990
and an absolutely enormous
thank you to the decades

395
00:20:59.990 --> 00:21:03.030
of High Desert Museum,
board members, volunteers,

396
00:21:03.030 --> 00:21:05.370
and talented and committed staff

397
00:21:05.370 --> 00:21:07.993
who have contributed to this institution.

398
00:21:08.930 --> 00:21:10.710
Nearly four decades ago,

399
00:21:10.710 --> 00:21:13.870
the High Desert Museum's
founder, Don Kerr,

400
00:21:13.870 --> 00:21:17.370
envisioned a place that
evoked wonder, discovery,

401
00:21:17.370 --> 00:21:20.910
curiosity, and learning
about the Intermountain West.

402
00:21:20.910 --> 00:21:23.840
He imagined a museum,
not bounded by walls,

403
00:21:23.840 --> 00:21:27.930
but by rivers and mountains
and forests and sagebrush.

404
00:21:27.930 --> 00:21:30.590
Today, the High Desert
Museum tells the story

405
00:21:30.590 --> 00:21:33.640
of this region and its
diverse voices through art,

406
00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:36.030
culture, history, and science,

407
00:21:36.030 --> 00:21:39.170
all on 135 acres in the forest.

408
00:21:39.170 --> 00:21:42.830
We also lean into our mission
to be a powerful catalyst

409
00:21:42.830 --> 00:21:45.300
for dialogue and community.

410
00:21:45.300 --> 00:21:47.680
That's one of the many
reasons we're so grateful

411
00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.550
for this incredible honor.

412
00:21:49.550 --> 00:21:53.040
It's a recognition of our
role as a community anchor,

413
00:21:53.040 --> 00:21:56.120
particularly during this
past challenging year

414
00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:59.210
from creating a day long
program for elementary students

415
00:21:59.210 --> 00:22:01.920
in a rural community
during online learning,

416
00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:04.690
to providing tablets and
data plans to families

417
00:22:04.690 --> 00:22:08.010
to ensure connection
continued during COVID.

418
00:22:08.010 --> 00:22:10.190
We've put reaching out
to support the community

419
00:22:10.190 --> 00:22:12.250
at the very core of our efforts

420
00:22:12.250 --> 00:22:16.080
and now we stand ready to
help our community heal.

421
00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:18.870
The National Medal belongs
to the High Desert community

422
00:22:18.870 --> 00:22:20.690
who has shaped this museum.

423
00:22:20.690 --> 00:22:22.620
And thank you to all who have been vital

424
00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:24.280
in making the High Desert Museum,

425
00:22:24.280 --> 00:22:27.370
what it is today and
ultimately to contributing

426
00:22:27.370 --> 00:22:30.073
to what is a vibrant
and resilient community.

427
00:22:37.895 --> 00:22:41.062
(bright upbeat music)

428
00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:48.640
- The Highwood Public Library
focuses on serving underserved

429
00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:50.440
and under-resourced populations

430
00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:53.610
within the North Shore
community outside of Chicago.

431
00:22:53.610 --> 00:22:56.230
Their Bridging Resources
for Educational Access

432
00:22:56.230 --> 00:22:59.000
and Knowledge (BREAK) program engages the

433
00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:01.710
community, and provides
access to literature,

434
00:23:01.710 --> 00:23:04.170
information, and opportunities.

435
00:23:04.170 --> 00:23:06.900
ESL, GED, and citizenship programs

436
00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:09.410
along with Summer Reading,
STEM, Homework Help,

437
00:23:09.410 --> 00:23:13.800
and 4H Robotics offered to
this community was a model

438
00:23:13.800 --> 00:23:16.330
of opportunity before the pandemic.

439
00:23:16.330 --> 00:23:17.370
During the pandemic,

440
00:23:17.370 --> 00:23:19.290
the library had to close for three months,

441
00:23:19.290 --> 00:23:21.610
but they continued their help to families

442
00:23:21.610 --> 00:23:24.100
with a pop-up food bank in their garage,

443
00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:26.190
the distribution of protective equipment,

444
00:23:26.190 --> 00:23:28.483
and partnering with school district staff.

445
00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.640
- Hi, there.

446
00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:33.080
I'm Pablo Alvarez

447
00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:36.390
and I have the pleasure of
telling you a little bit about

448
00:23:36.390 --> 00:23:39.893
one of my favorite places,
the Highwood Public Library.

449
00:23:40.810 --> 00:23:42.120
When I think of Highwood,

450
00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:45.630
I think about our diversity
and our resilience.

451
00:23:45.630 --> 00:23:50.040
The library's determination to
meet every challenge we have,

452
00:23:50.040 --> 00:23:52.460
whether it's the digital divide,

453
00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:55.060
generational cycles of poverty,

454
00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:58.670
or language and literacy skills
for our immigrant neighbors

455
00:23:58.670 --> 00:24:01.683
has made it an important
part of our community.

456
00:24:02.750 --> 00:24:05.510
We were hit hard by the pandemic,

457
00:24:05.510 --> 00:24:08.550
but the library staff never wavered.

458
00:24:08.550 --> 00:24:10.730
They've listened, responded

459
00:24:10.730 --> 00:24:13.430
and found incredible ways
to keep our community

460
00:24:13.430 --> 00:24:14.993
strong and thriving.

461
00:24:16.010 --> 00:24:18.860
Let's take a look at just some of the ways

462
00:24:18.860 --> 00:24:20.510
they have made us feel lucky

463
00:24:20.510 --> 00:24:24.139
and proud to call Highwood, Illinois home.

464
00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:26.556
(soft music)

465
00:24:29.130 --> 00:24:32.010
Once the pandemic hit
having the library open

466
00:24:32.010 --> 00:24:33.670
really was a beacon of hope.

467
00:24:33.670 --> 00:24:37.200
The Highwood Library is
beautifully centered in Highwood.

468
00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:40.830
This allowed for an ideal
location to meet with students.

469
00:24:40.830 --> 00:24:43.740
- When I met Carmen, she was like,

470
00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:46.367
I'm gonna bring some programs
to the public library.

471
00:24:46.367 --> 00:24:49.400
And when she said GED,
I get so excited like,

472
00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.233
Wow, GED.

473
00:24:50.233 --> 00:24:52.280
And she said, yes, and
it's gonna be in Spanish.

474
00:24:52.280 --> 00:24:53.220
I was like, perfect.

475
00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:55.490
That's what I wanted to do all my life.

476
00:24:55.490 --> 00:24:58.640
- For the programming that
they have done for students

477
00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.630
has been incredible.

478
00:24:59.630 --> 00:25:03.750
Everything from ACT prep
and tutoring, to robotics.

479
00:25:03.750 --> 00:25:07.370
- The Library helps my
son with reading and also

480
00:25:07.370 --> 00:25:10.580
he approached the robotic
programs and coding programs.

481
00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:12.050
And after a couple months,

482
00:25:12.050 --> 00:25:14.800
he began to be a tutor
for the little kids.

483
00:25:14.800 --> 00:25:18.150
- I look forward to continuing
to develop programming

484
00:25:18.150 --> 00:25:20.850
with Carmen and her staff
so that our families

485
00:25:20.850 --> 00:25:23.230
and students can continue
to take advantage

486
00:25:23.230 --> 00:25:26.083
of all of the amazing resources
available in this community.

487
00:25:26.083 --> 00:25:29.230
- This library is amazing
because I know right now

488
00:25:29.230 --> 00:25:31.210
everything that this community needs,

489
00:25:31.210 --> 00:25:33.573
the library is gonna help us.

490
00:25:33.573 --> 00:25:35.990
(soft music)

491
00:25:39.108 --> 00:25:42.677
(soft piano music)

492
00:25:42.677 --> 00:25:44.910
- The IMLS National Medal is a great honor

493
00:25:44.910 --> 00:25:48.060
that gives our community a
sense of pride and validation

494
00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:50.590
that they are worthy of
national recognition.

495
00:25:50.590 --> 00:25:52.860
This creates an environment
where the library becomes

496
00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:56.010
a community center for
everyone to feel represented,

497
00:25:56.010 --> 00:25:58.020
empowered, and embraced.

498
00:25:58.020 --> 00:25:59.900
Our dynamic programs and services

499
00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:02.680
break down barriers and
overcome generational cycles

500
00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:05.670
of poverty to help
individuals reach their goals

501
00:26:05.670 --> 00:26:07.760
that otherwise felt unattainable.

502
00:26:07.760 --> 00:26:10.770
It is through our innovative
community engagement strategy,

503
00:26:10.770 --> 00:26:11.603
BREAK,

504
00:26:11.603 --> 00:26:15.580
Bridging Resources for
Educational Access and Knowledge,

505
00:26:15.580 --> 00:26:18.630
that we have been able to
create bridges to resources

506
00:26:18.630 --> 00:26:21.360
that respond to the needs and interests

507
00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:23.940
of the most vulnerable in our community.

508
00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:26.550
A beautiful example of
the success of BREAK

509
00:26:26.550 --> 00:26:28.970
is expressed through the story of Betty.

510
00:26:28.970 --> 00:26:30.470
Betty was excited for the opportunity

511
00:26:30.470 --> 00:26:32.030
to continue her studies.

512
00:26:32.030 --> 00:26:34.550
We can proudly say that
Betty is one of the library's

513
00:26:34.550 --> 00:26:36.390
first GED graduates.

514
00:26:36.390 --> 00:26:40.230
She has now new goals and
continues her education

515
00:26:40.230 --> 00:26:42.840
and is enrolled at the
local community college.

516
00:26:42.840 --> 00:26:45.610
As momentum grows from
the continued success

517
00:26:45.610 --> 00:26:46.700
of our programs

518
00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:49.900
the library recognizes the
growing challenge to strengthen

519
00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:52.310
a solid foundation that equips us

520
00:26:52.310 --> 00:26:54.470
to pursue exciting new opportunities,

521
00:26:54.470 --> 00:26:56.080
to grow community partnerships,

522
00:26:56.080 --> 00:26:59.680
and further strengthen and
expand our program development.

523
00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:02.090
We want to acknowledge the
hard work of our staff,

524
00:27:02.090 --> 00:27:05.610
volunteers, and patrons who
have made this all possible.

525
00:27:05.610 --> 00:27:07.540
The board of trustees
that believes in the work

526
00:27:07.540 --> 00:27:08.720
that we are doing

527
00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:11.020
and IMLS for this amazing award.

528
00:27:11.020 --> 00:27:12.910
To be recognized by an institution

529
00:27:12.910 --> 00:27:14.820
that works with libraries and museums

530
00:27:14.820 --> 00:27:16.890
at the highest level is an honor

531
00:27:16.890 --> 00:27:19.130
and carries a great responsibility

532
00:27:19.130 --> 00:27:21.800
to continue serving our
community with passion,

533
00:27:21.800 --> 00:27:23.939
relevancy, and dedication.

534
00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:26.356
(soft music)

535
00:27:29.758 --> 00:27:32.925
(bright upbeat music)

536
00:28:03.776 --> 00:28:06.943
(bright upbeat music)

537
00:28:10.083 --> 00:28:11.410
- The Mississippi Children's Museum

538
00:28:11.410 --> 00:28:14.050
and its short history has
represented innovation

539
00:28:14.050 --> 00:28:15.210
and excellence.

540
00:28:15.210 --> 00:28:17.570
They partnered with the
Jackson Public School District

541
00:28:17.570 --> 00:28:21.330
and the Barksdale Reading
Institute on Read to Succeed,

542
00:28:21.330 --> 00:28:24.770
an outreach program to
underserved and underperforming

543
00:28:24.770 --> 00:28:26.400
elementary students.

544
00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.560
Their Literacy Garden,

545
00:28:27.560 --> 00:28:29.800
outdoor space and Learning Laboratory,

546
00:28:29.800 --> 00:28:33.320
WonderBox makerspace,
Mississippi Science Fest,

547
00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:36.060
and the Wonder of Wellness,
a community health program

548
00:28:36.060 --> 00:28:38.080
and traveling exhibit, are just part

549
00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:40.250
of their massive array of programs

550
00:28:40.250 --> 00:28:42.130
to stimulate the imagination

551
00:28:42.130 --> 00:28:44.830
and serve all of Mississippi's children.

552
00:28:44.830 --> 00:28:45.790
During the pandemic,

553
00:28:45.790 --> 00:28:48.380
the distribution of
materials and activity kits

554
00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:50.620
added a large physical outreach dimension

555
00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:53.630
to the social media and
virtual story times.

556
00:28:55.710 --> 00:28:59.250
- Jim Henson once said the
most sophisticated people

557
00:28:59.250 --> 00:29:03.080
I have ever known have had
just one thing in common.

558
00:29:03.080 --> 00:29:06.880
They were all in touch
with their inner children.

559
00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:08.020
Hello everyone.

560
00:29:08.020 --> 00:29:09.410
I'm Lori Grace Tori

561
00:29:09.410 --> 00:29:11.840
and I'm here to tell you
about the perfect place

562
00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:13.870
to embrace that inner child:

563
00:29:13.870 --> 00:29:17.130
The Mississippi Children's
Museum in Jackson.

564
00:29:17.130 --> 00:29:20.210
It's where children and adults
can learn about the state's

565
00:29:20.210 --> 00:29:24.060
rich history, how to feed
their minds and their bodies,

566
00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:27.980
and to experience a truly
magnificent physical space.

567
00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:30.770
The museum also plays an important role

568
00:29:30.770 --> 00:29:34.270
as a community partner in
connecting Jackson's children

569
00:29:34.270 --> 00:29:37.410
and their families to essential education,

570
00:29:37.410 --> 00:29:40.340
recreational, and cultural opportunities

571
00:29:40.340 --> 00:29:42.690
whenever and wherever they need it.

572
00:29:42.690 --> 00:29:47.406
Let's take a look at just what
makes this museum so special.

573
00:29:47.406 --> 00:29:49.823
(soft music)

574
00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:54.580
The Mississippi Children's
Museum often afford

575
00:29:54.580 --> 00:29:56.590
our boys and girls opportunities

576
00:29:56.590 --> 00:29:59.620
that they would not
otherwise be exposed to.

577
00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:02.270
- My children, here, they
were just so excited.

578
00:30:02.270 --> 00:30:03.470
I mean, who doesn't wanna go to school

579
00:30:03.470 --> 00:30:04.520
in a Children's Museum?

580
00:30:04.520 --> 00:30:08.280
They could play and run and just be kids

581
00:30:08.280 --> 00:30:10.680
when the world around us was so uncertain.

582
00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:14.040
- One of those opportunities
is Planting the Seeds to Read.

583
00:30:14.040 --> 00:30:17.840
This is an awesome program
where not only are the students

584
00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:19.080
engaged in literacy,

585
00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:21.100
the parents are given information

586
00:30:21.100 --> 00:30:24.680
on how to improve their
scholar's academic achievement.

587
00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:28.020
- The Launch into Learning
program was a lifeline.

588
00:30:28.020 --> 00:30:32.930
I think that many of our
children would not have made it

589
00:30:32.930 --> 00:30:37.350
through this year and every
day those babies were ready,

590
00:30:37.350 --> 00:30:38.240
they were texting,

591
00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:40.410
they were calling and
they did not wanna miss.

592
00:30:40.410 --> 00:30:41.370
It was a big deal.

593
00:30:41.370 --> 00:30:44.690
- This program has been
an absolute huge success

594
00:30:44.690 --> 00:30:47.260
for Jackson Public Schools
and Spann Elementary.

595
00:30:47.260 --> 00:30:49.030
It's more than just a partnership.

596
00:30:49.030 --> 00:30:51.002
It's a relationship.

597
00:30:51.002 --> 00:30:53.771
(soft music)

598
00:30:53.771 --> 00:30:56.688
(soft piano music)

599
00:31:00.530 --> 00:31:02.750
- The Mississippi
Children's Museum is honored

600
00:31:02.750 --> 00:31:06.240
to accept this prestigious
recognition for our service

601
00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:09.320
to the children and
families of Mississippi.

602
00:31:09.320 --> 00:31:11.600
Our museum is fun,

603
00:31:11.600 --> 00:31:14.120
but we make no apologies for this.

604
00:31:14.120 --> 00:31:16.410
It is so much more than that.

605
00:31:16.410 --> 00:31:20.930
For 10 years, MCM has provided
a safe, imaginative space

606
00:31:20.930 --> 00:31:24.520
for over 1 million children,
families, educators,

607
00:31:24.520 --> 00:31:28.080
and community members of
all backgrounds to learn,

608
00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:30.310
to play, and to grow.

609
00:31:30.310 --> 00:31:31.650
Over the past year,

610
00:31:31.650 --> 00:31:35.590
our community and nation has
faced extraordinary challenges.

611
00:31:35.590 --> 00:31:37.680
However, at MCM,

612
00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:41.280
we are part of an impassioned
community of organizations

613
00:31:41.280 --> 00:31:43.580
and educational institutions.

614
00:31:43.580 --> 00:31:47.080
We pull together our unique
resources to reach children

615
00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:50.150
and families in need of extra assistance

616
00:31:50.150 --> 00:31:52.630
and inspiration during this time.

617
00:31:52.630 --> 00:31:55.240
When faced with unexpected challenges,

618
00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:59.170
we chose to pivot our strategy
and expand our outreach

619
00:31:59.170 --> 00:32:03.400
beyond our physical museum,
to all corners of our state.

620
00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:06.640
From the Appalachian foothills,
to the Mississippi Delta,

621
00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:08.660
to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast,

622
00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:11.870
we were able to distribute
over a quarter of a million

623
00:32:11.870 --> 00:32:14.540
educational publications statewide,

624
00:32:14.540 --> 00:32:18.520
reach over 1 million impressions
with our digital resources,

625
00:32:18.520 --> 00:32:21.240
share our traveling exhibits
with school districts

626
00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.590
in every region,

627
00:32:22.590 --> 00:32:25.090
launch an on-site virtual school,

628
00:32:25.090 --> 00:32:27.260
and open our first satellite museum

629
00:32:27.260 --> 00:32:28.890
in Meridian, Mississippi,

630
00:32:28.890 --> 00:32:32.300
which has already welcomed
over 13,000 visitors

631
00:32:32.300 --> 00:32:35.930
from across the country
in eight short weeks.

632
00:32:35.930 --> 00:32:37.660
As we look toward the future,

633
00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:40.200
our museum is more committed than ever

634
00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:42.690
to giving Mississippi children access

635
00:32:42.690 --> 00:32:45.720
to the quality experiences they deserve

636
00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:48.840
through innovative
exhibits, engaging programs,

637
00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:51.080
and interactive special events,

638
00:32:51.080 --> 00:32:54.450
both in beautifully designed
and art-filled museums,

639
00:32:54.450 --> 00:32:57.080
but also outside of our walls.

640
00:32:57.080 --> 00:33:00.550
One of our top priorities
is to continue developing

641
00:33:00.550 --> 00:33:02.500
community partnerships,

642
00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:05.520
which enable us to
further our outreach goals

643
00:33:05.520 --> 00:33:07.460
and create more opportunities

644
00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:09.240
for the children of our state

645
00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:11.800
to experience all of the magic

646
00:33:11.800 --> 00:33:14.940
that the Mississippi
Children's Museum has to offer.

647
00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:19.320
Thank you IMLS for recognizing
our entire museum family

648
00:33:19.320 --> 00:33:22.240
and we say a special
thank you to the children

649
00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:25.620
of Mississippi for being our inspiration.

650
00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.955
Thank you.

651
00:33:26.955 --> 00:33:29.372
(soft music)

652
00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:36.030
- My sincerest congratulations
to all the institutions,

653
00:33:36.030 --> 00:33:38.660
there hardworking staff and volunteers

654
00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:40.270
and the communities they serve.

655
00:33:40.270 --> 00:33:43.780
You represent the best of what
museums and libraries offer

656
00:33:43.780 --> 00:33:46.605
to the people of the United States.

657
00:33:46.605 --> 00:33:49.188
(upbeat music)

658
00:34:09.859 --> 00:34:12.776
(soft piano music)

659
00:35:13.065 --> 00:35:14.565
- [All] Thank you.

660
00:35:15.441 --> 00:35:18.024
(upbeat music)

661
00:35:26.771 --> 00:35:29.155
- [All] Thank you, IMLS.

662
00:35:29.155 --> 00:35:31.738
(upbeat music)

663
00:35:35.144 --> 00:35:36.915
- [All] Gracias.

664
00:35:36.915 --> 00:35:39.498
(upbeat music)