Paul Bass Photo
The New Haven Free Public Library has won the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor a library can win for “exceptional contributions to their communities.”
The Washington-based Institute of Museum and Library Services, which awards 10 of the medal each year, announced New Haven’s selection on Tuesday. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy nominated New Haven’s library for the award.
Meanwhile, staff from all the branches joined with officials at the 132-year-old Elm Street main library Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the news. City Librarian Martha Brogan plans to travel to Washington with community member Nilda Aponte, a Fair Haven NHFPL “community ambassador” for the library’s partnership program with Long Wharf Theatre, and NHFPL board President Shana Schneider to accept the award.
Brogan was showered with love — and a bouquet. She has worked with her staff to grow the library system and expand its services, changing with the times and rolling with rather than fighting the digital era. Its central Elm Street branch sees an estimated 600,000 annual visits …
… hosts community forums and discussions on pressing community issues …
… and has added a new “Ives Squared” community workspace and a G Café outpost (pictured). Meanwhile, Stetson, Wilson, Mitchell, and Fair Haven branches have served as vital neighborhood centers.
“In my opinion, there is no better showcase for what this nation -– and this city -– are meant to be: centers for those in all walks of life without judgment about age, race, cultural, or economic background, where anyone can pursue his or her interests, abilities, and talents,” Mayor Toni Harp told the crowd.
Michael Harris, who runs the Elm City Innovation Collaborative, spoke of how over 6,000 people have learned about computer-assisted design and other tech skills and received business mentoring in the library’s new tinker lab/maker space.
Veronica Douglas-Givan delighted the crowd by singing the old Schoolhouse Rock jingle, “Learning doesn’t take a vacation.” She sang it because, thanks to the library, her son Jayvon doesn’t fall behind on reading over the summer. They attend a popular “Ready for the Grade” program at the Wilson branch that keeps kids in books when school’s out.
“This is not a good library,” declared New Haven Free Public Library Foundation President Elsie Chapman. “This is a great library.”