The Institute of Museum and Library Services bestowed a National Community Service Award on Pocahontas Libraries in 2003. This prestigious award was presented by First Lady Laura Bush at a White House ceremony in January 2004 to three museums and to the Philadelphia, Bozeman (MT), and PCFL libraries, accompanied by a check for $10,000.  

A week ago I was in Washington, D.C., for some personal business, and it so happened that the IMLS was holding its award ceremonies for this year’s recipients.  Earlier I had received correspondence from the IMLS that they were forming an alumnus group for past award winners, which included a standing invitation to award ceremonies.  I carved a few hours out from my schedule Tuesday morning and headed over to the Old Post Office Building where this year’s ceremonies were held.

I went early enough to talk with some of this year’s award recipients, such as Ken Oliver, Director of the Canton, Ohio, libraries.  I especially enjoyed a chat with James Billington,  Librarian of Congress, for almost 23 years.  A dignified, yet sprightly and energetic 80-year-old, Billington’s eyes lit up when I mentioned I was from West Virginia.  He had good West Virginia stories to tell. Kathleen Sebelius, former Kansas governor and now U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, gave a keynote speech. Ann Radice, retiring IMLS Director, received recognition for her years of service. The History Channel, sponsor of the ceremony, showed a film highlighting the award winning institutions.

The awards, renamed the National Medal, are now given annually to five libraries and five museums. This year’s medal libraries are the Braille Institute Library in Los Angeles, California; the Elgin, Illinois, public library; the Multnomah County libraries in Portland, Oregon; the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago, Illinois; and the Stark County libraries in Canton, Ohio.  For more on the awards, visit the website at http://imls.gov/news/2010/022310.shtm/

Being at the ceremony brought back a flood of warm  memories. Emma Beard, Jane Price Sharp, Reta Griffith, Beth Little and I had traveled by van to Washington, D.C., in January, 2004. The weather was very cold and blustery during the entire trip. I worried about 94-year-old Emma Beard and 85-year-old Jane Price Sharp as we traipsed in bone-cold Washington weather. They were troopers, however, paving the way for us as we spent time with Senators Byrd and Rockefeller, took in receptions, and then attended the award ceremony and reception at the White House. We were kept busy for two days and nights.

Traveling to Washington, we stopped at a Cracker Barrel restaurant for supper. Because it was cold, I left our rented van engine running while I helped everyone out of the vehicle.  Then for some inexplicable reason the power door locks snapped shut, with the key in the ignition and all of us locked out. We ate supper while waiting for the locksmith. Was this an ominous portent of things to come? As it turned out, the rest of the trip went smoothly and wonderfully.

Obviously everyone survived.  I just talked to Emma Beard, now 100, who is as charming and lively and conversational as ever. And  Jane Price Sharp is out and about every day doing community-minded activities.

Recently someone from the IMLS called to say PCFL had been nominated for the Medal Award. Congratulations, I was told, but we would not be eligible again until 10 years from our previous award expired.  Thank you, whoever nominated us!  In the meantime, our award from 2003 is a tribute to our board members, staff, volunteers, partnering organizations, local government, financial contributors and library users who make Pocahontas Libraries a remarkable institution of  community service.