National Medal for Museum and Library Service

Help the Sawyer Free Library by Sharing Your Stories!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Did you hear the news? The Sawyer Free Library has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2024 National Medial for Museum and Library Service by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)!!

This prestigious award honors institutions for their extraordinary public service and remarkable community contributions. Congratulations to all 30 finalists! The winners will be announced later this month.

But first we need the community’s help!  The Library would greatly appreciate it if you would show the IMLS how the Sawyer Free Library has made a difference in their lives. Or what is your favorite memory or experiences from your visits to Sawyer Free Library? Please share these memories and thoughts on your social media (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter). Feel free to include photos and videos too. And be sure to tag @US_IMLS and @SawyerFreeLibrary with the hashtags #ShareYourStory #IMLSmedals 

The Library is trying to get as many people as possible to help share their stories by THIS FRIDAY, May 19! If you have any questions, please call the Library at 978-325-5500. In advance, thank you everyone for your help! We appreciate you!

Sawyer Free Library Named Finalist for 2024 IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service  

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced today that the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library is among 30 finalists for the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Sawyer Free Library is one of four institutions in Massachusetts to be selected as a finalist for this award.

The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate significant impact in their communities. For 30 years, the award has honored institutions that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.

“To be a finalist for a National Medal for Museum and Library Service is an outstanding honor for the Sawyer Free Library and the people of Gloucester. It is a testament to our community that, as we face the unprecedented and daunting challenges of our time, the Sawyer Free Library is trusted as a leading institution to address our community’s needs,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. “This recognition strengthens our resolve to champion solutions for our future that cultivate connections across our community, inspire learning and foster belonging. We extend our deepest gratitude to Congressman Seth Moulton for nominating the Sawyer Free Library for this prestigious award, and to Senator Ed Markey for his support.”

“The 30 National Medal finalists from across the United States showcase the tremendous abilities of libraries and museums to serve as trusted, dynamic public spaces that meet the needs of their communities,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “The Institute of Museum and Library Services is honored to recognize these outstanding institutions. We congratulate them on their collective effort to respond to community needs, preserve diverse history and culture, and create a sense of belonging for all Americans.”

“The Gloucester community already knows what an important role the Sawyer Free Library plays in all our lives. We need more places where kids and adults alike can take a break from their screens and learn to relish a good book. That’s why I was honored to nominate the library for this prestigious award last year, and now I’m thrilled that it’s been nationally recognized as one of the best libraries in the entire country,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “Especially as the Sawyer Free Library team works on its expansion, this honor is well-timed and very well-deserved.” 

To celebrate this honor, IMLS is encouraging the Sawyer Free Library’s community members to share stories, memories, pictures, and videos on social media using the hashtags #ShareYourStory and #IMLSmedals, and engage with IMLS on X(formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. For more information, please visit the IMLS website.

National Medal winners will be announced in late May. Representatives from winning institutions will be honored for their extraordinary contributions during an in-person National Medals Ceremony in Washington, DC this summer.

To see the full list of finalists and learn more about the National Medal, visit the IMLS website.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library have served the informational and cultural needs of Gloucester’s residents of all ages for over 175 years. Today, its purpose remains to provide equal access to quality resources and be a place of learning, innovation, and creativity to nurture and strengthen our community. Each year, SFL hosts hundreds of programs and serves thousands of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. Learn more about all its offerings at sawyerfreelibrary.org.  

The Sawyer Free Library, temporarily located at 21 Main Street and online 24/7, remains committed to providing a dynamic and enriching environment for all and looks forward to officially opening its newly renovated, expanded, and modernized space in the fall of 2025. Designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification and Mass Save Path 1 Net-Zero-Ready Verification, the renovated library will exemplify energy efficiency and renewable practices. For details, visit sawyerfree2025.org.

2025 Sawyer Free Library (architect rendering of Dale Street Avenue view)

Congressman Moulton Nominates Sawyer Free Library and Cape Ann Museum for Prestigious National Medal of Museum and Library Services

~ Sawyer Free Library

Salem, Mass. – In honor of the Gloucester 400, Congressman Seth Moulton is proud to nominate two Gloucester cultural institutions, the Sawyer Free Library and the Cape Ann Museum, for the prestigious 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This award, presented annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is the nation’s highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. 

“As we celebrate the Gloucester 400, I’m thrilled to be able to nominate two of the city’s impactful and inspiring institutions for this national honor. Both the Sawyer Free Library and the Cape Ann Museum inform, educate, engage, and connect our community every day in immeasurable ways. This recognition is very well-deserved,” said Congressman Moulton. 

“Above all, this nomination is a validation of Sawyer Free Library staff, who make a deep impact on our community every day,” said Sawyer Free Library Director Jenny Benedict. “In recent years, our Library has responded to the unprecedented challenges of our time by fostering belonging and leading by example with our holistic approach to sustainability. To be recognized nationally for our achievement through this nomination is an absolute honor.”

 “We are incredibly honored to receive this nomination from Congressman Moulton,” said Cape Ann Museum Director Oliver Barker. “We are proud to be able to contribute and be a part of such a vibrant and special community like Cape Ann.”

Approximately fifteen libraries and fifteen museums will be selected as finalists by IMLS. From these finalists, a minimum of three museums and three libraries will then be selected to receive National Medals. Medal recipients will be announced in Spring 2024. 


More information about the National Medal for Museum and Library Services can be found HERE.