The White House Colloqium on Libraries, Museums, and Lifelong Learning (Text Only)

White House Colloquium on Libraries, Museums, and Lifelong Learning

Laura Bush recognizes the key role that continued learning and discovery play in the lives of both young people and adults. Through events such as the National Book Festival, her visits to our nation's cultural institutions, and literary dialogues at the White House, she is working to encourage Americans to take advantage of the remarkable resources for lifelong learning available in our nation's libraries and museums.

The White House Conference on School Libraries held in June 2002 called attention to the critical role libraries play in a child's academic success. The Colloquium focused on the important role libraries and museums play in our communities. The program also honored some special institutions that are strengthening ties between neighbors and enriching family and community life through their efforts.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services' National Awards for Museum and Library Service honors outstanding museums and libraries that demonstrate an ongoing institutional commitment to public service. Recipients exhibit innovative approaches to public service, reaching beyond the expected levels of community outreach and core programs generally associated with libraries and museums. These national awards pay tribute to museums and libraries that make a real difference in individuals' lives, improve communities, and make our nation a better place in which to live.

The awards were created in 1994 to underscore the powerful role of museums and libraries as leaders in our democratic society. The winners are as diverse as the cultural landscape of our country-small and large, urban and rural. They have one thing in common: they have each found new and effective ways to make serving the community central to their mission and to help foster opportunities for lifelong learning.