For immediate release | April 12, 2013

Honorary Chair of National Library Week Caroline Kennedy makes appearance at Seattle school library

Students at Seattle’s Sanislo Elementary School share poetry with National Library Week Honorary Chair Caroline Kennedy
National Library Week Honorary Chair Caroline Kennedy talks to students at Seattle’s Sanislo Elementary School with school librarian and AASL member Craig Seasholes
Students at Seattle’s Sanislo Elementary School share poetry with National Library Week Honorary Chair Caroline Kennedy
National Library Week Honorary Chair Caroline Kennedy talks to students at Seattle’s Sanislo Elementary School with school librarian and AASL member Craig Seasholes

CHICAGO — In her role as honorary chair of National Library Week (April 14-20, 2013), author, editor, library and literacy advocate Caroline Kennedy visited with students at Sanislo Elementary School library in Seattle to discuss the power of poetry and libraries. The visit was timed in conjunction with April's School Library Month.

Kennedy met with Sanislo Elementary librarian and American Association of School Librarians (AASL) member Craig Seasholes and first-through-third grade students in Sanislo’s poetry club. She also shared from her recent book, “Poems to Learn by Heart,” published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Publishing Worldwide. Students also shared some their favorite poems, including Janet Wong's “Liberty.”
As reported by the West Seattle Herald, when Kennedy asked the students what they love about the library, one student responded, “I like the library because there is never someone mad here; books make people happy!”
“You are showing everyone that kids like poems, they like to read and they like to share with friends,” Kennedy told the students.
To see photos from Kennedy's visit, visit the atyourlibrary.org Facebook page.
Kennedy also has a scheduled appearance at Horace Mann Elementary library in California's Beverly Hills Unified District.
National Library Week in an initiative of the American Library Association. School Library Month is sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association.
In addition to her school library visits, Kennedy appears in two TV public service announcements that are running on the Disney Channel. Approximately 1.4 million viewers see the PSAs every time they air. Kennedy appears in the PSA with the star of Disney Channel's "Austin and Ally," Laura Marano. They discuss the value and opportunities available at libraries.
Librarians can watch the PSAs by visiting the National Library Week website and link to the PSAs or embed them on their own websites, blogs or Facebook pages.
Free customizable print and digital PSAs featuring Kennedy are also available on the National Library Week website. Print PSAs are available for librarians to download and feature National Library Week theme, Communities matter @ your library, for use in local newspapers, library newsletters, websites and blogs. ALA offers customization of the print PSA; a library's logo can be added at no cost.
The PSAs complement National Library Week products offered by ALA Graphics. In addition to a poster and bookmark, a mini poster and downloadable graphics are available.
Other promotional tools for National Library Week include a sample proclamation, press release and letter to the editor, as well as scripts for use in radio PSAs. Two other radio PSAs in mp3 format are also download-ready.
National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (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.
The American Library Association’s Campaign for America’s Libraries (www.ala.org/@yourlibrary) is a public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe – participate. The Campaign is made possible by ALA’s Library Champions.
For additional information, please contact Jennifer Habley, Manager of Web Communications for the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of ALA, at jhabley@ala.org, or Megan McFarlane Campaign Coordinator for the Campaign for America's Libraries, at mmcfarlane@ala.org.

Contact:

Megan McFarlane

Campaign Coordinator

Public Information Office (PIO)

mmcfarlane@ala.org

800-545-2433 ext. 2148