IMLS Names 2024 National Medalists for Museum and Library Service
DC Public Library, Harris County Public Library, Kent District Library

This week, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, including three ULC members — DC Public Library, Harris County Public Library and Kent District Library. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1994, the award has honored 212 institutions that exemplified extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service. Over the past 30 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.

“IMLS is delighted to announce the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “These institutions and their dedicated staff are stepping up to anticipate and meet the needs of their individual communities. From New York to Arizona, these 10 recipients are unparalleled sources of education, health, jobs, and cultural resources, bridging the gaps of distance, resources, and experience for community members. We look forward to honoring their accomplishments in Washington, DC, this summer!”

Read the full press release.

Hoboken Unveils New Jersey's First Remote 24/7 Book Locker
Hoboken Public Library

Hoboken residents can now pick up and drop off library books without having to leave uptown, thanks to the newly unveiled locker outside the Hoboken Historical Museum (HHM). It is the first offsite, 24/7 library book locker in New Jersey, allowing Hoboken Public Library cardholders to order books and have them delivered to a designated slot in the locker. Library Director Jennie Pu said the library had been diligently working on this project for about a year and a half with HHM Director Bob Foster, the Board of Directors, property owners, constituents, and the City of Hoboken.

“Really this is a response to Hobokenites coming to the library, asking: ‘We need an Uptown location. It’s too far to walk an hour down with my stroller," said Pu. "This is the state’s first 24/7 library locker that’s remote which means it’s not at a library location."

“It takes a lot of hard work, a year and a half in the making,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla regarding the locker being unveiled. "I want to thank Director Pu because since she took the reigns of the Hoboken Public Library we have seen so much diverse programming and when we look at public libraries across the nation it’s all about adaptation and making sure that we move with the speed of time to make sure that libraries are preserved and expanded to create greater accessibility for the general public and that accessibility and innovation is what you see here right behind me."

Read the full article from TAPintoHoboken.

Spokane Prepares to Build New Affordable Housing with Library Access
Spokane Public Library

Spokane is one step closer to seeing $10 million in affordable housing units for refugees and the general public by 2025, without the use of tax dollars. Thrive International, an organization that provides transitional housing to refugee and immigrant families, will develop the space with support from the Spokane Public Library. The new 48-unit complex will be a combined effort to help relieve the affordable housing crisis as well as a global refugee crisis in Spokane, Thrive International Director Mark Finney told onlookers at a partnership launch Wednesday afternoon between Thrive and the Spokane Public Library. Mayor Lisa Brown also attended, declaring her support for the effort and the value of welcoming refugees into Spokane.

Spokane Public Library Executive Director Andrew Chanse said the library district bought the land from a bond in the 1990s to build a new library, but nothing came of it because of building issues with a sewer pipe that runs through the middle of the lot.When Thrive came to the Spokane Public Library last year and asked for the land to build affordable housing, they exchanged the idea of community library resources built in on the same property.

That property plan includes a playground, a community garden, a greenhouse, a community center and a 24/7 library kiosk for books and library materials available outside of the main location. Half of the apartments on the 1.64-acre lot will be reserved for refugees, while the other half will be open to the general public. Everyone in the Nevada neighborhood will be able to access the amenities.

Read the full article from The Spokesman-Review.

STL Summer Adventure
St. Louis County Library, St. Louis Public Library

St. Louis County Library (SLCL) and St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) are teaming up to offer a joint summer reading and exploration program called STL Summer Adventure! This brand new program invites youth ages 0-17 to go on an adventure with a variety of activities in STEM, Art, Outdoors, St. Louis and Reading. To celebrate the launch of STL Summer Adventure, the library systems unveiled new library cards sponsored by St. Louis CITY SC. Everyone who signs up will receive a free book at registration. The program offers 5 paths of learning, which contain a variety of activities such as reading a book, putting together a puzzle or making a sidewalk chalk creation or visiting a local attraction like the Science Center or The Magic House.

Kristen Sorth, St. Louis County Library Director & CEO said, “We are so excited about this joint summer reading program between St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library. STL Summer Adventure gives kids the opportunity to choose their own adventure and explore different and fun pathways to learning. Our amazing partners bring additional opportunities to the program, allowing kids and families to experience all of the unique cultural and educational offerings in our region. The regional collaboration between our two fantastic library districts continues to positively impact the region. Literacy is a community growth engine.”

Waller McGuire, St. Louis Public Library CEO said, “The St. Louis Public Library Summer Reading Club has been a major program for generations of St. Louis children and their families, helping connect kids to the fun and adventure of reading, and always keeping in mind the key role that summer learning plays in the development of young minds. Partnering with St. Louis County Library strengthens the entire region, and helps remove barriers and increases possibilities for all St. Louis children. Two great public libraries working together side-by-side benefits all of us.”

Learn more at https://www.stlsummeradventure.org/.