The host of an annual Bug Bash and a museum-cum-locomotive were among the institutions awarded the nation's highest honor for libraries and museums on Jan. 8 in a ceremony held at the White House and hosted by the first lady.

The 2006 National Awards for Museum and Library Service were granted to six cultural institutions selected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In her remarks at the ceremony, Laura Bush, a retired librarian, named the event one of her personal favorites. "At every library and museum across our country, we feel at home, thanks to the librarians and the curators who are eager to serve their communities. Today we recognize six libraries and museums that exemplify this spirit of service," she said.

The award recipients were three museums and three public libraries located across the country. These include the Michigan-based Artrain USA, a museum housed in vintage train cars that travels to communities with limited access to art; Texas's San Antonio Public Library, which reaches each of the 25,000 babies born annually in the community through its Born to Read program, and the Lincoln Children's Zoo in Nebraska, which partners with five schools located near its grounds to put on regular educational events like Bug Bash, where students conduct experiments to learn more about insects.

Also awarded were the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago; Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, N.C., and Frankfort Community Public Library, Frankfort, Ind.

Whether it's a train conductor hauling art masterpieces across the United States, the zookeeper introducing children to a Redfoot tortoise or that friendly librarian asking, 'May I help you?', the people behind each of today's winning institutions have made their organizations indispensable to the communities they serve," Bush said.

The National Awards for Museum and Library Service are given annually by IMLS to museums and libraries that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to public service through innovative programs and community partnerships. The award includes a prize of $10,000 to each recipient and an awards ceremony in the White House to raise public awareness of the contributions these institutions make in their hometowns.—Joelle Seligson