Norwich – About 40 Otis Library staff, volunteers, supporters and patrons gathered along with city officials Monday to unveil the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's top award for library excellence.

Library Executive Director Robert Farwell received the medal at a White House ceremony June 1 hosted by first lady Michelle Obama. The library hosted a three-hour open house celebration Monday that included signs posted throughout the library with excerpts from the library's award letter.

“This is an amazing award,” library board of trustees Vice President John Iovino said.

He thanked Farwell's staff and library volunteers for making Otis responsive to the needs of the changing Norwich community, a key criteria cited in the award. Otis was one of five libraries and five museums nationwide to receive the gold medal of excellence.

The medal and a framed letter from the first lady now hang in the library atrium.

-- Claire Bessette