September 27, 2001
MUSEUM WINS NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD 

The Cable Natural History Museum was among 15 museums and libraries around the nation recently awarded a total of more than $3.6 million for projects that will help libraries and museums work together to enhance their collections and service to the public. These National Leadership Awards were made by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency that lends support to the nation’s museums and libraries.

The awards, announced September 25, support innovative projects that demonstrate how museums and libraries can work together to expand public access and meet a range of individual, family and community needs. Emphasis was given to projects that make innovative use of technology, that enhance learning or that help strengthen communities.

The Cable Natural History Museum was awarded $72,755 for "New Voices for Nature," a program designed to offer the opportunity for twelve citizens to practice environmental stewardship through writing. The project’s goal is to prepare more and new voices to thoughtfully engage in constructive public discourse about environmental issues in the upper Great Lakes region. The program offers paid internships in journalism and literary non-fiction writing, and will bring a series of regionally and nationally-known writers to northwest Wisconsin to work with the interns, give public readings at participating libraries, and participate in broadcast interview programs.

The project is a collaborative effort involving the Museum, the Drummond Public Library, Forest Lodge Library, Hayward Carnegie Library, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College Library and WOJB-FM.

"Collaboration among libraries and museums and other community organizations is a growing trend as these trusted community organizations seek new ways to make the most of their valuable collections," said IMLS Director Robert S. Martin. "The results from these projects are spectacular, and far exceed what one organization can do alone."

Forty-three applicants competed for the awards. Other winners include the Boston Public Library, the Chicago Horticulture Society, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the University of Nebraska, and Washington State University.