Flint Public Library is honored to be named one of 30 finalists for the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for community service. The Institute of Museum and Library Services has selected just 30 finalists from all of the applications received and will narrow the list to 10 award winners later this spring.
“We are extremely proud of this city, and of the way our community demonstrates resilience and strength through adversity,” said Kay Schwartz, Director of Library Services. “We applied for this award because we wanted to showcase Flint. Not the Flint that the national media portrays, but the true, committed, gritty and determined Flint. The Library has struggled right alongside our residents through declining property values, the water crisis, and more. But we are turning the corner, and the Library is helping to lead the way.”
Schwartz continued, “We believe that Flint Public Library deserves to win a National Medal for Museum and Library Services because we are strategically transforming our services to fuel Flint’s transformation. The Library’s mission is ‘to be Flint’s go-to place to learn for life.’ The Library is the one place where anyone can come, at any age, to jump-start their learning and upgrade their skills in the knowledge economy. Our expert librarians are coaches, navigators and learning facilitators. Despite financial challenges, we focus significant effort and resources on critical community needs where we can make a unique, positive impact: early childhood literacy, digital learning, and being a community hub for Flint.”
“We thank the many community leaders who lent their voice of support to our application,” said Linda Pylypiw, President of the Board of Trustees. “We are honored to accept this finalist nomination on behalf of this community, which has steadfastly voted to support this institution and continues to count on us every day.”
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