Norwich — Several Otis Library staff members and supporters cheered as they watched a live video feed from the White House as library Executive Director Robert Farwell and multicultural services coordinator Bassem Gayed stepped forward to accept the nation's top library award of excellence from first lady Michelle Obama.

Otis was among five libraries and five museums honored Wednesday with the Washington, D.C.-based Institute of Museum and Library Services 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest award given to museums and libraries for service to the community.

The first lady, who has hosted the event at the White House each year, reflected on its personal meaning to her “as someone who lives in a museum and whose husband will soon open a library.”

She called all libraries and museums the “life's blood of a community,” often the only places some residents have to find resources and inspiration they need to succeed.

“I feel wonderful,” Farwell said by phone shortly after the ceremony and interviews with White House media covering the event.

“It's such a wonderful day for Otis and for Norwich and a wonderful honor to be here and to be recognized,” he said.

Farwell called the award a group effort by the Otis staff and library supporters throughout the community.

“I just want to say how grateful we are for everyone who supported us,” Farwell said. “It really was a group effort. I can't stress that enough.”

Larry and Eunice Luther of Norwich, longtime supporters of the library and volunteers at the twice yearly library book sale, watched the ceremony from the Otis Community Room.

They scanned the packed White House room for familiar faces.

While Farwell and Gayed were part of the opening procession into the room and accepted the award, the Luthers also were on the lookout for Cathleen Special, Otis human resources and strategic planning manager, who also attended the ceremony.

They were disappointed they couldn't pick her out in the audience.

The celebration won't end with Wednesday's award presentation — and the White House banquet that followed the ceremony.

All 10 recipients will be visited by an oral history team from Story Corps to record interviews with Otis Library patrons on their use of the library and how it helped them succeed.

Farwell said a date for the Story Corps visit has not yet been set.

Gayed's own story was told Wednesday as he joined Farwell in accepting the award.

Gayed moved to Norwich from Egypt with his wife and became a regular patron of the library, learning about American culture and history. He credited the library's extensive citizenship resources with helping him prepare for his citizenship test.

He started working at the library's reference desk a few days a week, and after several years was appointed as multicultural services coordinator.

As the only Spanish-speaking Otis employee, he developed programs to help immigrants become acclimated to life in America, and helped American-born library users understand immigrants' experiences.

“At the library, if we teach kids from a young age about other cultures, that there are other people who think, live, and worship this way, it makes a difference, it makes a better world,” he said in a quote read during the ceremony.

c.bessette@theday.com