WESTPORT — Keith Richards, whose storied career as guitarist for the Rolling Stones includes many firsts — including as a founder of the first rock band to continue performing more than six decades — on Wednesday will notch another first.

And it’s a “first” that no one else has shared to date — the inaugural “Governor’s Award of Excellence” — which Gov. Ned Lamont will present to the longtime Weston resident at the Westport Library.

The library will be closed to the public for the duration of the invitation-only event, from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 5. In addition to Richards and Lamont, the ceremony is expected to be attended by state and local dignitaries, musicians and guests, according to library officials.

The Governor’s Award of Excellence, a newly established honor, recognizes Connecticut residents “who epitomize the state’s core values: creativity, resourcefulness, passion, dynamism and generosity,” according to the announcement of the honor.

In addition to the award medallion, Richards also will be presented a “Key to the State.”

“Connecticut has long been home to some of the world’s most innovative minds, boldest artists and most generous hearts,” Lamont said in a statement about the award. “Keith Richards is the epitome of these values — not only as one of the most influential musicians of all time, but as a dedicated supporter of the arts, education and community causes right here in Connecticut.”

The library setting for the award ceremony is appropriate given that Richards once said: “”When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully — the church, which belongs to God, and the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is the great equalizer.”

Besides Richard’s legendary career with the Rolling Stones, as well as a solo performer, actor and writer, he has been a benefactor of community organizations, including SPHERE, which supports adults with disabilities, and The Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, a movie theater offering employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Richards, long regarded as one of rock’s pre-eminent guitarists, along with fellow Rolling Stones founder Mick Jagger has written some of the most memorable songs in rock-and-roll history, including “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Satisfaction,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Start Me Up,” “Happy,” “Miss You,” “Brown Sugar,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Wild Horses,” “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll [But I Like it]” and “As Tears Go By.”

His solo albums include “Talk Is Cheap,” “Live at the Hollywood Palladium,” “Main Offender” and “Crosseyed Heart.”

In movies, Richards has acted in “Man on Horseback” and two “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, and on television in “The Simpsons” and his documentary, “Keith Richards: Under The Influence.”

He also has written a memoir, “Life,” and a children’s book, “Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar.”

Richards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1993 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004, among other honors.