For immediate release | April 9, 2013

United for Libraries to host webinar on ‘How to Dedicate a Literary Landmark in Your Community’

PHILADELPHIA — United for Libraries will present the webinar “How to Dedicate a Literary Landmark in Your Community” from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, April 25.

The Literary Landmark program began in 1986, and there are now more than 130 dedicated landmarks around the U.S. The program recognizes locations tied to a deceased literary figure, author or his or her work. A dedication is a newsworthy event that can draw attention to your library, Friends group and the community’s literary heritage. Join Rocco Staino, director of the Empire State Center for the Book, and Karen Neurohr, who has facilitated the dedication of several Literary Landmarks in Oklahoma, to learn about the program. Find out how to select sites in your community, what to plan for and how to get the community and media involved. For more information on Literary Landmarks, visit www.ala.org/united/products_services/literarylandmarks.

Rocco Staino is the retired director of the Keefe Library of the North Salem School District in New York. He is a contributing editor for School Library Journal. He is the New York State chapter councilor on ALA’s Council and was a longtime board member of Friends of Libraries USA (now United for Libraries). A past president of the New York Library Association, he is director of the Empire State Center for the Book, which administers the New York State Writers Hall of Fame. He has spearheaded several Literary Landmark projects, including those honoring Madeleine L’Engle at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, Robert McCloskey at Boston Public Garden and the American Philosophical Society Library in Philadelphia.

Karen Neurohr is associate professor, librarian for assessment, new student and community outreach at Oklahoma State University. She serves as chair of Oklahoma’s Literary Landmarks Projects for Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma (FOLIO) and serves on the board for Friends of Oklahoma Center for the Book. She has co-coordinated five community-wide reading and discussion projects that had multiple programs. She is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at OSU and holds a master of library science from the University of North Texas.

The webinar is free; registration is limited to 100. This webinar will be presented with Internet audio only. You will need a computer with speakers or headphones as well as Internet access. Those who cannot attend the webinar live can access to a recording of the webinar after April 25. For more information and to register, visit http://ala.adobeconnect.com/literary-landmark/event/registration.html

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library Trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the United for Libraries website or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.

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Contact:

Jillian Kalonick

Marketing / Public Relations

United for Libraries (United)

jkalonick@ala.org

800-545-2433 ext.2160