Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) has been named one of 30 finalists for the 2014 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, as announced today by (IMLS) in Washington, DC. The National Medal, the nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community, salutes institutions that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden was founded in 1910 as one of the first urban botanic gardens in the world, with a mission to connect people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the natural world. Toward this end, the Garden maintains a strong commitment to community and youth education through hands-on learning.

Says Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), “On behalf of the people of central Brooklyn, I congratulate Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which has been named a finalist for the 2014 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Since my childhood, I have enjoyed visiting the botanic garden, a place where the families and children of Brooklyn have an opportunity to experience the splendors of nature, learn about horticulture, and play in the sunshine. The support for this institution—from both elected officials and the public—demonstrates its importance to the community we share. Know that we will continue to support you in the future.”

In 2014, BBG celebrates the centennial of its Children’s Garden, the oldest continually operating community garden for children in the nation, which launched the Garden’s renowned education program. BBG’s founding investment in its community’s children was revolutionary for its time, and it is emblematic of the Garden’s continued commitment to lifelong learning and environmental stewardship. Today, BBG reaches tens of thousands of children and adults annually through classes, workshops, community gardens, urban greening initiatives, youth development programs, supplementary science in-school programs, city-wide and regional teacher training, internship opportunities, and summer programs, and other partnerships.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services encourages those who have visited Brooklyn Botanic Garden or other finalist institutions to share their story on the IMLS Facebook page. To participate, visit facebook.com/USIMLS. To learn more about the 2014 National Medal finalists, visit imls.gov/medals. Ten National Medal winners will be announced this spring and will participate in the National Medal ceremony in Washington, DC.

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.