Campaign for America's Libraries

The Campaign for America’s Libraries is the American Library Association’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians.  Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible in part by ALA’s Library Champions. To learn more visit About @ your library.

What's new @ your library - Press releases on the Campaign's events, initiatives and programs.

Submit Programming Ideas for National Library Week for a Chance to Win Promotional Materials (Deadline: Feb. 15)

Caroline Kennedy was the keynote speaker at the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award Ceremony in New York City. The program is administered by the American Library Association's Campaign for America's Libraries. The event honored ten librarians who were recognized for service to their communities, schools and campuses. More than 1,700 library patrons  nominated a librarian. The event also was part of Carnegie Corporation's Centennial Celebration. Read her remarks at Atyourlibrary.org.

Vartan Gregorian, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York, spoke to more than 300 attendees at the 2011 Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award Ceremony in New York City recently. The program, administered by the American Library Association's Campaign for America's Libraries, honored ten librarians who were recognized for service to their communities, schools and campuses. More than 1,700 library patrons nominated a librarian. Read his remarks at Atyourlibrary.org.

Children's author Pam Muñoz Ryan recently spoke out about improving literacy through school libraries.  

Said Ryan,"The school librarian often holds the school’s literary climate in the palm of the hand. A library without a librarian often becomes stagnant and falls into disrepair. Imagine a classroom without a teacher, or an orchestra without a conductor."

 Read the op-ed in The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Best-selling author Scott Turow recently wrote about the value of libraries and the threats they face.  

Millions of Americans simply cannot afford to replace what libraries have traditionally offered for free -- access to books, computers and research assistance. Ironically, the importance of these services is even greater in a time of economic uncertainty.

Read his op-ed in the Huffington Post.

Initiatives & Projects

National Library Week - April 8-14, 2012.

First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. 

Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant - The electronic applications for the 2012 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week grant is available. Apply by Sept. 7 for the chance to receive $3,000 for your library.  

The Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times "I Love my Librarian" Award - Each year, thousands of library supporters nominate their librarians for the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award, and 10 winners are selected.  Nominations came in from people from across the country for librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries, and all of the nominations are inspiring; people love their librarians!  2011 was the fourth year of the award, which will continue annually through 2012.  Read about this year's winners and winners from 2008 and 2009 and 2010.

Library Card Sign-up Month - September is Library Card Sign-Up Month - a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that the most important school supply of all is @ your library®--it's your library card.

Step Up to the Plate @ your library -  Season six of Step Up to the Plate @ your library teamed up two American classics - baseball and libraries - to to promote libraries and librarians as essential information resources. People of all ages were encouraged to visit their library and answer a series of trivia questions. This year, Step Up to the Plate @ your library connected generations by exploring baseball’s more than 150-year history through topics like famous baseball families and legacy team.  

Popular Resources

PR Tools and Resources- Contains ready made public relations materials so that libraries of all types can promote themselves locally. Materials include toolkits developed by ALA Divisions, print, radio and television public service announcements (PSAs) and suggestions of how to use the @ your library brand to promote you library and library services.

Sponsorship Programming- Learn about The Campaign for America's Libraries sponsors.

Visibility @ your library Blog- is the blog of the American Library Association's Public Information Office, providing news and information for librarians and library supporters.

Subscribe to E-mail Lists- The Campaign for America's Libraries list serv, which provides updates on news and events related to The Campaign.

Contact Us

Megan Humphrey
Manager
The Campaign for America’s Libraries
(312) 280-4020
mhumphrey@ala.org

Megan McFarlane
Coordinator
The Campaign for America’s Libraries
(312) 280-2148
mmcfarlane@ala.org

50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Main (312) 280-2148
Fax (312) 280-5274
atyourlibrary@ala.org