02/20/2026
February 18, 2026
Ten institutions recognized for unparalleled program and service delivery
WASHINGTON, DC— The Institute of Museum and Library Services has announced the winners of the 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
Since 1994, the National Medal has recognized institutions for their significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. This year, five museums and five libraries will receive the prestigious award. Each medalist represents the administration’s mission of utilizing public resources to increase literacy, enhance local economies, preserve our nation’s artifacts and documents and focus upon preparing people to succeed in a changing world.
Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, who as Acting Director of IMLS selected these awardees from a competitive, peer-reviewed slate of finalists, said:
“I am honored to have had the opportunity to award the National Medal for Museum and Library Service to these exceptional cultural institutions. They truly represent some of the best that the museum and library fields have to offer America and its citizens”
All National Medals recipients were nominated by their community members, then selected through a competitive, multi-stage process. Sonderling also said:
"During the first year of the second Trump administration, IMLS refocused its priorities to meet emerging needs of the American people and their cultural institutions. IMLS continues to ensure that federal resources are used to build literacy, expand library and museum programming capacity, protect our priceless historical artifacts, and reacquaint the public with America’s founding and core principles."
IMLS thanks all who submitted nominations and congratulates the 2025 winners.
Nicholas P. Sims Library (Waxahachie, TX) works tirelessly to respond to the community’s needs. Their Bookmobile visits daycares, nursing homes, after-school programs, city events, the Senior Center, and many other locations to provide access to a wide variety of resources. The library focuses heavily on programming for the youngest patrons. Sims Library’s Lyceum is one of the few active Lyceums available in Texas and has been beautifully preserved while remaining a vibrant site for programs, special events, concerts, and author talks.
