Each year, select museums and libraries with outstanding records of community service receive the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. IMLS signed a cooperative agreement with StoryCorps, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs. Beginning with the 2009 awardees, StoryCorps began collecting personal stories demonstrating the ongoing impact of these award-winning institutions. 2014 National Medal Winner Mid-Continent Public Library "Even though in my family there was this emphasis on reading and this love of reading, my mother didn’t finish high school..."   At Mid-Continent Public Library, Connie Jones (R) talks to colleague Jessica Ford, a former student at the Kansas City Elementary School where Connie was the librarian. Connie tells Jessica the story of her own educational and professional journey that started at her childhood library, and describes how, as a librarian today, she gets kids of all ages excited about reading. Listen to their story here: [esplayer url="http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/PodCast/MCPL.mp3" width="500" height="30" shadow_size="0.0"]   Download Transcript