Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Commending and congratulating the Madison Children's Museum on being awarded the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
Body
WHEREAS, the Madison Children's Museum has been in existence since 1980; and
WHEREAS, their mission is to connect children with their families, their community and the world beyond through discovery learning and creative play; and
WHEREAS, in addition to its ongoing children's exhibits and educational offerings, the museum also provides intergenerational programming for older adults with memory loss; and
WHEREAS, the museum endeavors to be accessible to all in our community through its "Access for Everyone" program that allows anyone the opportunity to visit the museum regardless of economic, physical or other barriers; and
WHEREAS, the $10,000 prize will be used to support the "Access for Everyone" program, which was utilized by more than 32,000 of the 284,000 visitors to the museum in its first year since moving to the Capitol Square in August 2010; and
WHEREAS, the National Medal is the nation's highest honor for museums and libraries, awarded for extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental and social contributions, created to highlight the vital role these institutions play in American society; and
WHEREAS, the Institute of Museum and Library Services spokesperson called the Madison Children's Museum a model for the rest of the country and said the National Medal is the equivalent of "the Academy Award for museum and library services";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council commend and congratulate the Madison Children's Museum on being awarded the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.