WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall congratulated the Octavia Fellin Public Library in Gallup for winning the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Octavia Fellin Public Library was among 10 institutions nationwide selected to receive the award for exceptional service. Udall issued the following statement to commend the library and its community members:

"Congratulations to the Octavia Fellin Public Library on being awarded the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This honor recognizes the library's commitment to serving the Gallup community with excellence. Through the library's free computer lessons and software training program, the staff is helping bridge the digital divide. They go the extra mile by taking their services into the community, participating in events and sharing information about their resources -- even distributing library cards. Their creative approach and activities, which include story hours and puppet shows, inspire children and adults alike to read, imagine and learn.

"This is well-deserved recognition for the Octavia Fellin Public Library, and I appreciate the work the Institute of Museum and Library Services does to bring attention to the services our libraries provide in our communities."