To mark National Tourism Week and celebrate local tourism efforts, the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau awarded the Austin Public Library with the Tourism Toplist Award Tuesday.

According to CVB executive director Cheryl Corey, the recognition applauds the library’s Smithsonian Exhibit in particular, which brought more than 3,000 people to the city.

“And it’s exactly the type of event that we want to celebrate during National Tourism Week,” Corey said.

The library hosted the exhibit, called “Key Ingredients: America by Food,” from Sept. 20 through the month of October in concert with the Smithsonian Institute and Minnesota Humanities Center. The show included panels from the Smithsonian featuring food traditions and experiences, with local angles and pictures. Austin was one of 12 cities chosen.

“We had an exceptionally good time with it,” library director Ann Hokanson said. “It was a wonderful success.”

Hokanson paid tribute to four local organizers, also award recipients, who coordinated the design, events and outreach. They include Kris Olson, Anita Bruggeman, Alice Hanson and Kathy Helle.

“Without them, it just wouldn’t have happened,” she said. “And because of them we had people from all over the nation visit.”

Corey said that’s entirely why the library was deserving of the honor, which was awarded for the first time this year. The CVB director said that her office will bestow awards in coming years to “people, places, things or events that help create tourism opportunities in Austin.”

This was one of several efforts by the CVB to promote National Tourism Week, which is celebrating its 25th year.

Corey said other draws include the Oak Savannah Birding Festival at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center May 16-18; the Minnesota in May Third Annual BBQ Event May 17-18 at the Mower County Fairgrounds; and the Northwestern Singers Spring Show at the Historic Paramount Theater May 17.

She also referred to the Spamburger Day citywide rummage sale, sponsored by the Austin Daily Herald and the CVB, and a meet and greet by CVB staff members at the St. Croix Travel Information Center Thursday to promote local tourism.

According to Corey, about 155,000 visitors to Austin last year generated more than $19 million in local revenues, making the industry comparable in agriculture in terms of its economic contribution.

The CVB, charged with marketing the city’s attributes and coordinating tourist activities, is funded by a 3 percent lodging tax and grants.