National Medal for Museum and Library Service Recognizes Bethel, AK Kuskokwim Consortium Library’s Community Contributions.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced the Kuskokwim Consortium Library (KCL) of Bethel, AK today (May 23, 2023) as one of eight recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Over the past 29 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.
“IMLS is delighted to announce the eight worthy recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, including Kuskokwim Consortium Library,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “Kuskokwim has made itself the center of the community in a way that most larger library systems would have a hard time matching.”
The Kuskokwim Consortium Library is a small public and academic consortium library that serves the University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus and the community of Bethel, Alaska. The library is located on the Indigenous and traditional lands of the Yup’ik and Cup’ik peoples in the Southwest region of Alaska.
Selected from 30 national finalists, the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service winners represent institutions that provide dynamic programming and services that exceed expected levels of service. Through their community outreach, these institutions bring about change that touches the lives of individuals and helps communities thrive.
Kuskokwim Consortium Library Director Theresa Quiner shares, “Bethel, Alaska is in a very remote and underserved part of the country. Bethel needs the same level of library services as much larger communities, despite our limited resources. The University of Alaska Fairbanks and Kuskokwim Campus are committed to providing high-quality library and educational services, which remain crucial to our students’ success and vital to the community we serve. We strive to actively participate in initiatives that improve the safety net for vulnerable populations in Bethel. We can do this with our limited resources because of our consistent and crucial work with our community partners. Thank you to IMLS for this honor and to all our community partners who have worked hard with us as we serve our community together.”
University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus Director Carolyn Goolsby added, “We at The University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Kuskokwim Campus couldn’t be prouder of our Kuskokwim Consortium Library (KSL) staff. I was a librarian and library director for nearly 30 years and was a finalist for this award more than once, but it took working with the incredible librarians and staff at KCL to be a part of a National Medal win. What they do with the staff and funding they have in a challenging environment here in rural Alaska is amazing. Through hard work, resilience, and a real talent for partnership, our librarians and staff provide library services we can all be proud of.”
The award will be presented at a ceremony this summer in Washington, DC. For a complete list of 2023 recipients and to learn more about the National Medal winners, visit the IMLS website.
