From another e-mail from ALA

To ensure we have the necessary information, please email to Larra Clark at with event information provided in this format:

+ Library name
+ Library city/state
+ Short event title
+ Date and time of event
+ Short description (less than 250 words)
+ Contact name and number for more information

Feel free to also attach a press release or other additional information, but this format must be followed to be included online. To
see examples from 2005, please visit:
http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/piopresskits/nationallibraryweek2005/2005nlwevents.htm. For marketing and media materials, please visit:
http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/campaign/nlw/NLW.htm

Please send event information by March 22. Thanks!

Larra Clark, Media Relations Manager
Public Information Office, American Library Association
50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611-2795
Toll-free: 800-545-2433 x5043; Fax: 312-944-8520
@ your library

To ensure we have the necessary information, please email to Larra Clark at with event information provided in this format:

+ Library name
+ Library city/state
+ Short description on hurricane relief efforts, fundraising or local
+ support for evacuees (less than 500 words)
+ Contact name and number for more information

Feel free to also attach a press release or other additional information, but please follow this format for basic information.

We will be looking for and accepting stories and examples leading up to the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans, June 22 to 28. Thanks!

Larra Clark, Media Relations Manager
Public Information Office, American Library Association
50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611-2795
Toll-free: 800-545-2433 x5043; Fax: 312-944-8520
@ your library

From an article in the Washington Post about the results from a recent study commissioned by ALA:

“The new study, conducted by telephone in January with just over 1,000 adult Americans, also showed high satisfaction with libraries, with 7 out of 10 saying they were ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ happy, and strong support for increased library funding, with 8 out of 10 saying more money should be spent.

Of those who visited libraries, about 8 out of 10 said they took out of a book, compared to about 3 in 10 who connected to the Internet. Around 1 out of 3 borrowed a CD, video or computer software.”

8 out of 10 took about a book. Are libraries focusing enough of their efforts and money on books?

From the press releases:

1) PLA announces Selection of National Conference Closing Session Keynote Speaker – “Best-selling author Paco Underhill will present the keynote address at the closing session of PLA’s 11th National Conference, March 25, 2006 at 11:45 a.m. in Boston. Underhill is the acclaimed author of “Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping” (2000) and “The Call of the Mall: The Geography of Shopping” (2005). His talk will draw on research of over 20 years on how shoppers interact with stores and the geometry that, as he puts it, “rules the shopping universe.”

2) PLA announces 2006 award winners – “The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced the winners of seven distinguished service awards.

PLA’s Advancement of Literacy Award was awarded to READ San Diego, an adult literacy program based out of the San Diego Public Library. Sponsored by Library Journal, the award is given to a publisher, bookseller, software dealer, foundation or similar group that has made a significant contribution toward the advancement of adult literacy.

Georgia Lynn Lomax, managing librarian, King County Library System, Auburn, Wash., was named to receive the Allie Beth Martin Award,which includes a $3,000 award donated by sponsor Baker & Taylor. This award recognizes a public librarian for demonstrating a range and depth of knowledge about books and other library materials and the distinguished ability to share that knowledge.

The Baker & Taylor Entertainment Audio Music/Video Product Award Grant went to the Granby Library, Granby, Conn. This grant offers the selected library $2,500 in audio music and video products for its circulating collections.

PLA’s Charlie Robinson Award has been awarded to Sandra Neerman, director, Greensboro (N.C.) Public Library. This award recognizes a public library director for implementation of innovative change. Sponsored by Baker & Taylor, this award consists of $1,000 and a gift to the recipient.

The recipient of the EBSCO Excellence in Small and/or Rural Public Library Service Awardis the Williamsfield (Ill.) Public Library District. EBSCO Subscription Services donates $1,000 to honor a public library serving a population of 10,000 or fewer that demonstrates excellence in service to its community as exemplified by an overall service program or a special program of significant accomplishment.

The Highsmith Library Innovation Award was awarded to The Curtis Memorial Library of Brunswick, Maine. Highsmith, Inc, the award’s sponsor, provides a plaque and a $2,000 honorarium to recognize a public library’s innovative or creative service program.

Demco New Leaders Travel Grants were awarded to Rebecca Kennedy, San Antonio (Texas) Public Library; Tara Caldara, Zion-Benton (Ill.) Public Library District; Laura J. Cleveland, Fayetteville (Ark.) Public Library; and Alexandra B. Leinaweaver and Anne Arundel (Md.) County Public Library. Through this grant, PLA provides $5,000 to support the professional development and improve the expertise of public librarians new to the field by making possible their attendance at major professional development activities.

PLA will recognize all award winners on Monday, June 24, 2006, at the PLA President’s Program and Awards Reception, during the American Library Association’s 2006 Annual Conference in New Orleans.”

Give it a whirl, and let us know what you think by leaving us a comment. Just as a note: we do realize that the title of each search result is the same, and we’re working on fixing it.

+ Libraries turn page to lure new users [OH]
“‘It’s a universal challenge to continually think of new ways to attract customers into the library,’ said Doug Evans, executive director of the Ohio Library Council. ‘Each library is doing something different to attract their specific demographics.’”
See also: Toledo-Lucas County Public Library

+ San Francisco Library to share exhibit with the country [CA]
“The San Francisco Public Library is taking one its most popular exhibitions to the road. Out at the Library, an archived collection of gay history by the library’s James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center, has been packaged for a tour of the country’s eastern, Midwest and southern regions.”

+ Budget Cuts may affect services provided by Brown County Library [OH]
“The Brown County Public Library offers free services to the community like Internet access and movie rentals. But because of state budget cuts the library branches may have to decrease the number of hours they are open each month and the number of services offered to the community.”

+ Library director named 2006 Titan of Taconite [MN]
“The Titan of Taconite, an ambassador of the Hibbing Winter Frolic, is an honor given to an individual in the community who appreciates the heritage of Hibbing and is committed to the betterment of our community. … Considering [Hibbing] Public Library Director Terry Moore’s role in educating our community through books, his fascination with history, and his active role in community groups, there is no denying he makes a pretty good match to what the Winter Frolic Committee looks for in a Titan.”

+ Davenporters plug in to library [Iowa]
“Congratulations and welcome to Davenport Public Library‘s 1,609 new card holders. That’s how many signed up since the library opened the new $8 million Fairmount street branch.”

From the press release:

“CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced the winners of its inaugural “Grow Your Own” institutional scholarship program.

The program was developed to address the educational needs of public library staff working toward the ultimate goal of obtaining a master’s degree in library and information science. The program awards one $8,000 scholarship to the employing public library for reimbursement of employees’ course tuition costs at the undergraduate or graduate level. Funding for five libraries was allocated for this pilot project year. The libraries are:

+ Ada Community Library, Boise, Idaho

+ Laramie County Library System, Laramie, Wyo.

+ Salem-South Lyon District Library, South Lyon, Mich.

+ T.A. Cutler Memorial Library, St. Louis, Mich. (Blog)

+ Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka, Kan.

“Tremendous response to the program illustrates the great need in public libraries for ways to help staff earn the M.L.S,” said PLA President Daniel Walters (Las Vegas-Clark County Library District). “PLA is pleased to be able to provide funding for these libraries to reward deserving staff and to increase the number of public librarians within our profession.”

PLA Past-President Clara Bohrer (West Bloomfield, Mich., Township Public Library), who initiated development of the program noted, “We saw a need for scholarships of this kind to help libraries in a time when funding is becoming more scarce while the need for qualified professionals grows exponentially. Given the great response, I am confident that PLA will continue to find ways to grow and strengthen our first effort.””

+ At the Orangeburg County Library [SC], they are working hard to serve the young adults in their community.

+ They are celebrating 100 years of the Forsyth County Public Library [NC] by interviewing patrons about their fond memories.

+ Happy 20th Anniversary to the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library in Odessa [NY].

+ First Lady Laura Bush announces the awards for the 2005 National Awards for Museum and Library Service: “As all of you might guess, this is one of my favorite events at the White House. I love to recognize libraries and museums that are serving as models for the rest of our country, that are really a part of the life of each of their communities. And so I’m so thrilled to get to recognize six great cultural institutions, the ones that are the award winners today: COSI Toledo, the Johnson County Library, the Levine Museum of the New South, the Mathews Memorial Library, the Pratt Museum, and the St. Paul Public Library. Each one of these cultural institutions has demonstrated extraordinary service to their communities, and they serve as models for the rest of our country. Congratulations to each one of you.”

+ An interesting way to raise money for a library. Put the naming rights up for sale on eBay. That’s what the Womelsdorf Community Library [PA] has decided.

+ Groups to help destroyed libraries [SC]
“[Jim] Johnson, retired director of the South Carolina State Library, is coordinating a fundraising project for the New Orleans Public Library. Participating are the Association of Public Library Administrators of South Carolina and the Friends of South Carolina Libraries.”

+ Mead Library, Kohler Arts Center join forces for book discussions based on 4 exhibits [WI]
“Two of Sheboygan’s cultural hubs — Mead Public Library and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center — are teaming up to host a series of book discussion groups centered around four Arts Center exhibits. The theme will be, ‘Collect, Classify, and Catalog.’”

+ The Importance of Reading [OH]
“…no matter how advanced technology becomes, there will always be written communication and a need for people to be able to read.” A short but insightful piece on the children’s reading programs at Briggs Lawrence County Public Library.

+ Preserving veterans history [OH]
“Now, thanks to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, … the stories of hundreds of his fellow veterans who left their homes and families and went to war will never die.”

+ City, two townships looking for guidance via public library survey [MI]
“The city of Eaton Rapids and Hamlin and Eaton Rapids townships are working together to determine the wishes of their residents with regard to a public library. Officials hope those wishes will be made known by way of a library survey being distributed to all three municipalities.”

+ Electronic audio books arrive at Waterloo Library [Iowa]
“The library began offering electronic audio books, or e-audio books, earlier this month through the Web site www.netlibrary.com, which allows patrons to download books to their mp3 players or computers.”