Chabot Space & Science Center Named National Medal for Museum and Library Service Finalist

Information submitted by Chabot Space & Science Center:

Chabot Space & Science Center has been named a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries by the Institute of Museum and Library Services in recognition of exceptional service to the community and for making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

“Museums and libraries are the lifeblood of our communities, serving as trusted providers of critical resources, educational training, skills development, and civic and cultural enrichment,” said Maura Marx, acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “We salute the Chabot Space & Science Center for exemplary leadership in promoting lifelong learning while engaging and inspiring the public.”

This honor recognizes the contributions of Chabot’s STEM programs such as the high school Galaxy Explorers, the middle school Champions of Science, free public Friday and Saturday night telescope viewings, free fieldtrips for students from the Oakland schools and other programs benefiting the Bay Area.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee said, “I would like to congratulate the Chabot Space and Science Center on its nomination for the prestigious 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. More than 60,000 students visit Chabot each year and experience math and science through Chabot’s innovative, hands-on learning programs. I am especially proud of Chabot’s targeted programs for underserved students and their work to encourage more young women and people of color to pursue careers in the STEM fields. Congratulations on this great honor and keep up the great work.”

Executive Director & CEO Alexander Zwissler said, “Our staff and volunteers engage in STEM education work because they have a true passion for public service. Watching kids get inspired by a science demonstration, or sharing their excitement the first time they look through a telescope and see Saturn’s rings, is satisfaction enough. But certainly, we are thrilled that our community and IMLS have chosen to recognize our work with this high national honor.”

This year’s finalists include individual public libraries, special and research libraries, a zoo, science museums, botanical gardens, and many other types of institutions that exemplify the great diversity of libraries and museums across the country. Thirty museums and libraries include 3 finalists from California. Joining Chabot as a finalist are the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, and the Los Angeles Public Library.

The National Medal winners will be named later this spring, and representatives from winning institutions will travel to Washington, D.C., to be honored at the National Medal award ceremony. Winning institutions also receive a visit from StoryCorps, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs.

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