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Ocean County Library Receives National Medal
TOMS RIVER-The Ocean County Library has received the 2007 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums.
The National Medal, which includes a prize of $10,000, was awarded to the library on November 6. The medal honors outstanding institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Selected institutions demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, exceeding levels of community outreach and core programs generally associated with its services.
"The Institute of Museum and Library Services is pleased to recognize the community achievements of the Ocean County Library," said Anne-Imelda Radice, PhD, Director of IMLS. "The Library makes positive differences in their citizens' lives and serves as a model for the nation's libraries. I offer my heartfelt congratulations."
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.
With 21 facilities serving more than a half million residents, the Ocean County Library is the largest public library system in New Jersey, making its mission statement- to connect people and build community- all the more meaningful.
"The library has a simple goal," said Elaine H. McConnell, county library director, "to connect people and build community. Dealing with an increasingly diversified community might seem like a daunting challenge, but Ocean County Library has found a solution: open lines of communication."
While the population the library serves is diversifying by the day, the Ocean County Library remains relevant to all, thanks to open lines of communication and partnership with numerous community organizations and groups enabling staff to better determine what programs, services and materials are needed.
Ocean County Library regularly polls teens, families, senior citizens, businesspeople and educators for input. Their award-winning diversity initiatives have created vital connections with traditionally under-served populations, including African Americans, Latinos and the Spanishspeaking community, gays and lesbians and those with special needs. Their strong community ties allow Ocean County Library to provide unique and memorable experiences for local residents, especially children.
"We most recently partnered with three different
agencies to offer children in South Toms River
an educational adventure," added McConnell. "The culmination of this was the creation of a
magnificent permanent mural created by the children and promoting respect for the environment and our watersheds."
Frank P. Capone, director of the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement Board, has partnered with Ocean County Library in hosting a series of small business education seminars.
"These programs and working with small businesses
has had a positive effect on the economic
growth of the whole community," he added. "The library has made a difference in serving
this community."
In addition to the National Medal, the library recently received the American Library Association's prestigious John Cotton Dana Award in recognition of its ongoing series of fundraising events supporting a Mississippi-based library devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Ocean County Library's aggressive two year campaign netted more than $120,000 to help rebuild and re-establish library services for Hancock County Library.
"I am pleased the Ocean County Library system received special recognition for helping the libraries in Hancock County recover from the
extensive damage suffered from Hurricane Katrina,"
wrote U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (MS). "Their Partners in Caring program helped boost
morale and raise funds needed for the restoration of library services in Hancock County."
Throughout our history, the library has served as a testament to the thirst of knowledge we all share as human beings, said U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
"Libraries have also been a critical component of our democracy as a center of shared knowledge and education," said Menendez. "It is my honor to salute the staff, volunteers and patrons of the Ocean County Library who work so diligently to share the power of books with all New Jerseyans. I commend you for the critical role you play in keeping our communities unified and informed."
U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) agreed.
"Ocean County Library is one of our state's largest and most impressive public libraries," said Lautenberg. "I congratulate the Ocean County Library for sucha prestigious award and I will continue my work in the U.S. Senate to promote its goals of increasing education and literacy."
Other National Award winning museums and libraries are the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Chicago Zoological Society, Georgetown County Library, Kim Yerton Memorial Library, Memphis Public Library, National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Newberry Library, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Vermont Historical Society.
"In the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe, the (Ocean County) library has raised more than $120,000 to assist in the reconstruction of devastated libraries in Mississippi over the past two years," says Congressman Jim Saxton (NJ). "The dedicated staff has not only earned this award for serving our own community, but they have gone above and beyond the call of duty."
To learn more about the Institute of Museum and Library Services, please visit www.imls.gov.
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