National Czech & Slovak Museum receives national award for service

Less than five years after a devastating flood caused $11 million in damages to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, it is being honored for its service to the community.

The museum is a recipient of this year's National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor given to museums and libraries.

“It's almost something we still have to absorb,” said Gail Naughton, the museum's president and CEO. “It speaks to the work of the staff, of the board, during a stressful period of our community's history.”

In June 2008, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library was poised to unveil expansion plans when floodwaters ravaged the facility. All exhibits were destroyed. Library collections soaked and 15 years of records were lost. Nearly four years would pass before the museum would reopen its doors, but staff members managed to maintain a presence in the community during that time.

“Museums and libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and as cornerstones for our communities. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library played an essential role in rebuilding a Cedar Rapids neighborhood following the horrific 2008 flood, and we are very proud to name this museum one of this year's National Medal for Museum and Library Service winners,” said Susan Hildreth, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “This year's National Medal recipients demonstrate the many ways museums and libraries alike build strong communities. These institutions are educating, inspiring, and leading lifelong learning while serving as community anchors.”

Naughton calls the museum's role during the 2008 flood “a unique situation.”

“Not only were we working to recover what it lost at the museum, but we were also helping a community recover,” she said. “Museums are the anchor of a community. We had to be one of the strong voices during the recovery, rebuilding and revitalization efforts.”

And that's why Naughton said the honor is a community award.

“It's a salute to the city and all the recovery, and to the individuals, as well,” she said. “It recognizes all of us for what we've had to overcome and the work we continue to do.”

Since 1994, the National Medal for Museum and Library Service has honored institutions that have made significant and exceptional contri­butions to their communities. Selected institu­tions demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is one of 10 institutes to receive the National Medal for Museum and Library Service National Medal this year. Also honored this year is the Marshalltown Public Library, which is home to one of America's earliest Children's Rooms.

This is the first year any Iowa museum or library has received the national honor.

The award will be presented at a celebration in Washington, D.C. May 8.