COSI wins national medal for exceptional programs and community service
After being named the “Best Science Museum” in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for four consecutive years, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) has drawn national acclaim for its excellence in programming and service to the Columbus community.
The museum has been chosen as one of eight recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor awarded to museums and libraries that make exceptional contributions to their communities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced Tuesday.
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According to a news release from the IMLS, an independent agency of the U.S. federal government, the winning museums and libraries represent institutions that "provide dynamic programming and services that exceed expected levels of service."
The awards will be presented during a ceremony this summer in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Frederic Bertley, president and CEO of COSI, said he was "humbled and grateful" for the national recognition, which he attributes to the museum's innovative programs, outreach efforts and COSI staff working as a team.
"I've been able to build a team of amazing men and women doing what I call the Lord's work," said Bertley, who took the helm at COSI in 2017. "I'm flabbergasted and filled with joy. ... I'm so proud of my team and the Columbus community.
"Any work I've achieved is based on shoulders of giants – my predecessors, CEOs that came before me."
As an aside, Bertley shared that he was driving when he was notified that COSI had won the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. "I literally had to pull over to side of road because I knew how huge this was," he said.
COSI was selected from 30 national finalists for the medal, surpassing such famous science museums as Philadelphia's Franklin Institute. Bertley said simply being nominated for the award was noteworthy.
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"There are hundreds of thousands of museums in this country. (The IMLS) picks 15 library and 15 museums," he said. "That's like being nominated for an Academy Award. It's huge that COSI was even nominated as one of those 15 museums."
Bertley said he believes that receiving the award is confirmation that COSI's commitment to its community is recognized across the country.
"COSI is in service of people, we want to get kids excited about science," he also said. "The more exposure, the more recognition, the better COSI does its job."
Founded in 1964, COSI advocates hands-on learning to foster interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics. Its many offerings include an annual science festival, outreach programs including COSI on Wheels and two Ohio Valley Regional Emmy-winning TV shows, the animated “Dr. B in 3” and “QED with Dr. B,” a weekly science show co-produced by WOSU Public Media and COSI.
COSI's 320,000-square-foot facility at 333 West Broad St. houses more than 300 interactive experiences, live shows, the little kidspace exhibit for learners from birth through first grade, a planetarium and nine galleries showcasing world-class permanent and traveling exhibitions like "Tutankhamun - His Tomb and His Treasures," which opened in March and runs through Sept. 4.
bpaschal@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: COSI wins 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
