Long Branch Officials Attend White House Ceremony Presenting Library with the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Washington, DC – Long Branch officials attended the presentation ceremony led by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at the White House today for the Long Branch Free Public Library. The library was one of just four nationwide to receive the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. The Institute is an independent agency that serves as the main source of federal support for libraries and museums within the United States. In Fiscal Year 2022, IMLS awarded more than $4.3 million to libraries in New Jersey.
The delegation from Long Branch at the White House included Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Mayor John Pallone, Director of the Long Branch Library Tonya Garcia, and Members of the Long Branch Library Board of Trustees, including President Roberto Ferragina, and the Mayor’s Designate Alexandra Maldonado.
“It was a privilege to attend today’s ceremony at the White House honoring the Long Branch Public Library’s prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This award is a testament to the staff and trustees’ tireless work and their exceptional support and service to Long Branch. I congratulate everyone who made this well-deserved award a reality,” Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. said. “The library is an invaluable resource for our diverse community in conducting language and citizenship training and bridging the digital divide with internet services. Thanks to their dedication, they’ve created an atmosphere conducive to lifelong learning and fostered an environment of growth and support for members of the community.”
“We are thrilled to join the First Lady today at the White House for the Long Branch Public Library’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said Mayor John Pallone. “The Long Branch Free Public Library is unique in the services it offers to our diverse community. We offer extensive social services, career development, and assistance to businesses. Thanks to the New Jersey Library Reconstruction Bond Act, we are currently renovating and expanding our main Carnegie library building on Broadway.”
“This prestigious award is a testament to the impactful work of the Long Branch Free Public Library staff, volunteers, and trustees who work tirelessly to create a space that fosters lifelong learning and strengthens the social fabric of our community. It underscores the vital role that libraries play in transforming lives and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential,” said Tonya Garcia, Director of the Long Branch Public Library. “With renewed determination, we will continue to serve as a beacon of knowledge, a catalyst for creativity, and a pillar of support for all. We are extremely grateful for this incredible recognition and honored to bring the National Medal of Museum and Library Service home to the great state of New Jersey and the city of Long Branch.”
The Long Branch Free Public Library (LBFPL) has served the Long Branch Community for over 100 years. In 1880, the East Long Branch Reading Room & Library Association built Library Hall on Lower Broadway to provide a place of gathering for the rapidly growing town. By 1916, the East Long Branch Reading Room & Library Association became a Carnegie Library and was turned over to the city as the Long Branch Public Library. Both the Main Carnegie Library and Elberon Branch remain an essential part of the local community, serving all residents from toddlers to seniors.
