WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced 30 finalists for the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community. For 22 years, the award has celebrated institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service and are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.

The list of 2016 museum finalists includes the Chicago History Museum, the Columbia (S.C.) Museum of Art, the Dallas Holocaust Museum, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass.; the Fitchburg (Mass.) Art Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisc.; Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Nantucket Historical Association, the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, R.I., and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City.

The National Medal winners will be named later this spring, and representatives from winning institutions will travel to Washington, D.C., to be honored in a White House ceremony.

For more information, www.imls.gov/2016-medals.