Julie Andrews kicks off National Library Week in Los Angeles

Academy Award-winning actress, author and honorary chair of National Library Week (April 13-19), Julie Andrews kicked off the 50^th anniversary of National Library Week in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Andrews spoke about National Library Week and the value of libraries and librarians before an audience gathered at ArcLight Cinema in Hollywood for an event with the Los Angeles-based Wonder of Reading.  Joining her on stage were Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Dick Cook, Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, who Andrews honored for his work with Wonder of Reading, a nonprofit organization that renovates and stocks Los Angeles public elementary school libraries.   

“I’m very proud to be honorary chair of National Library Week to remind people that libraries are places of opportunity, places where everyone can come together – regardless of age, race or income.  Libraries are truly part of the American dream,” said Andrews.

In addition to Sunday’s remarks, Andrews has lent her image to a print public service announcement (PSA).  To date, the PSA has been placed by ALA in national magazines such as Entertainment Weekly, O, the Oprah Magazine, and others.  The print PSA is also available to libraries, along with radio and television PSAs, at www.ala.org/pio/nlw.  The print PSA can be customized at no charge, and the television PSAs can be customized with library logos for a fee.  See the National Library Week Web page for more information. 

Andrews’ success has spanned stage, screen and television, earning her such honors as an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 1964 for “Mary Poppins” and a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

Andrews published her first children’s book, “Mandy,” in 1971. She and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have published a series of children’s books, including “The Great American Mousical,” published in 2006 by HarperCollins.

Her latest book, “Home: A Memoir of My Early Years,” was released by Hyperion this month and is currently number two on The New York Times best-seller list for hardcover nonfiction.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by ALA and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.  All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.