Terrebonne Parish Library System Awarded 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Terrebonne Parish, LA — The Terrebonne Parish Library System has been named a 2025 recipient of the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for community impact.
Presented by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Medal recognizes institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service. Out of nearly 20,000 library systems across the United States, only five libraries receive this distinction each year.
Since 1994, the National Medal has celebrated institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. This year, five museums and five libraries nationwide were selected through a competitive, multi-stage review process following nominations submitted by community members.
The Terrebonne Parish Library System was recognized for its deep commitment to addressing critical community needs, including food insecurity, low educational attainment, digital access, and disaster response. Through innovative partnerships with organizations such as the American Red Cross, the library has established its branches as emergency resource centers during times of crisis. The system also supports the preservation of local history and culture, including genealogy resources and programming that honor the traditions of the Houma Indians and other Indigenous communities.
“It is a great privilege to direct this library system. The citizens of this parish deserve a library system that is as innovative, technologically advanced, and efficient as any outstanding library in the country. Being one of the top five libraries in this country, shows that this South Louisiana parish values its library, says Library Director Mary Cosper LeBoeuf. The library staff and board members work hard to make the library the soul of this community. The library is not four walls filled with books. The library is a living, active institution that works with citizens, organizations, and government to bring informational, educational, and recreational programs/activities to all segments of the parish. It is wonderful to be recognized and honored.”
Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, who as Acting Director of IMLS selected the awardees from a peer-reviewed slate of finalists, praised this year’s recipients, stating that the medalists represent some of the best cultural institutions serving America and its citizens.
IMLS leadership also emphasized that each medalist exemplifies how public resources can be used to build literacy, expand programming capacity, protect history and culture, and prepare communities for success in a changing world.
The Terrebonne Parish Library System serves residents across Terrebonne Parish through seven branches, providing free access to books, digital resources, educational programming, workforce development tools, and community-centered initiatives. In 2025 alone, the system welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors both in person and online, continuing its mission to inform, enrich, and empower the community.
For more information about the Terrebonne Parish Library System and its programs and services, visit www.mytpl.org.
Media Contact:
Terrebonne Parish Library System
Joel Ohmer, Communications Coordinator
985-850-5301 (Office) / 985-438-0169 (Cell)
johmer@mytpl.org
Terrebonne Parish Library System
Joel Ohmer, Communications Coordinator
985-850-5301 (Office) / 985-438-0169 (Cell)
johmer@mytpl.org