[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 91 (Thursday, June 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES: 2016 NATIONAL MEDAL 
                     FOR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2016

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate the North Carolina State University Libraries on receiving 
the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This 
prestigious award, offered annually by the Institute of Museum and 
Library Services, is the nation's highest honor given to museums and 
libraries for exceptional service to their communities.
  The North Carolina State University Library system has transformed 
how libraries involve the community to understand, learn, and 
participate in a myriad of educational activities. The system 
strengthens North Carolina's K-12 education pipeline, increases the 
public's literacy, and prepares tomorrow's researchers with college- 
and workforce-ready skills.
  Through cutting-edge programming at all of their locations, North 
Carolina State University has built a library system that can support 
the university's students and advanced research, while also serving as 
an incubator for Triangle businesses. This library was one of the first 
to leap into the digital age, and has been a terrific example for other 
academic research libraries around the world. Their creative 
recruitment tactics for librarians and their crowdsourcing of ideas 
from student committees have made this library an invaluable asset to 
our state.
  There are several key spaces for students, faculty, and the community 
to utilize at the North Carolina State University Libraries. These 
include digital media editing and production spaces, as well as gaming 
spaces for creating simulations and virtual environments. Library 
patrons have access to the D.H. Hill Makerspace, which is equipped with 
3D printers, scanners, and laser cutters for users to explore a variety 
of ideas. There is even an Immersion Theater where students and faculty 
can display their work on a panoramic screen--I recently had the 
opportunity to experience a fully recreated historic speech given by 
John Donne in 1622.
  North Carolina State University Libraries are one of just ten 
recipients of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. NCSU 
Libraries have had a remarkable impact on the entire state of North 
Carolina. There were approximately 2.25 million visitors to the library 
last year, with nearly 12,000 registered visitors from 76 countries, 42 
states, and 46 counties in North Carolina.
  As we congratulate all the libraries' leaders, it is also important 
to recognize Susan K. Nutter, winner of the 2016 Association of College 
and Research Libraries' (ACRL) Academic/Research Librarian of the Year. 
As the Vice Provost & Director of Libraries, Susan has been 
instrumental in building the innovative library system we see today.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I offer congratulations to the North 
Carolina State University Libraries--and each of the nine other 
National Medal winners--for achieving this distinction for their path-
breaking innovations and dedication to serving their communities.

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