3M Library Systems joins @ your libraryTM, The Campaign for America's Libraries

Contact: Megan Humphrey


(312) 280-4020


mhumphrey@ala.org

ALA News Release


For Immediate Release


January 2001

3M Library Systems joins @ your library™, The Campaign for America’s Libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce 3M Library Systems has joined @ your library™, The Campaign for America’s Libraries, as a founding partner.

“The founding partnership we have developed with 3M Library Systems will enable The Campaign for America’s Libraries to speak more loudly and more clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st Century,” said ALA Executive Director William Gordon.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries officially launches to the public during National Library Week 2001, April 1 – 7. The week will feature a national campaign event and a host of local activities to introduce the @ your library™ theme to the public.

“What is at stake is not only the basic and fundamental role of libraries, but also the American public’s access to information and knowledge,” said ALA President Nancy Kranich. "This campaign must capture the public's imagination about the critical importance of libraries and librarians in the information age. We will work to increase funding, attract talented people to the profession and influence public policy."

To kick off National Library Week, 3M Library Systems will sponsor a live Webcast that will support the campaign and celebrate libraries across the nation.

As a founding partner, 3M Library Systems also will sponsor a variety of communication projects to support the messages of the five-year campaign throughout its duration.

"Helping libraries is an inherent part of 3M's culture,” said Don Leslie, marketing manager and program organizer for 3M Library Systems. “We have been providing support to individual libraries for more than 30 years – from products and services to marketing and fundraising support. This campaign allows us to continue to give back to libraries and takes our support to a higher level."

As the creator of the Materials Flow Management concept for libraries, 3M provides collection management solutions for optimizing the way materials flow into, throughout and out of a library. For more than 30 years, 3M has been the global leader in library security, protecting literally billions of individual items in thousands of libraries throughout the world.

3M is a diversified manufacturing company with 1999 sales of $15.65 billion. The company has operations in more than 60 countries and employs more than 70,000 people worldwide. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., 3M is a manufacturer of more than 50,000 products serving industrial, commercial and consumer markets. For more information about 3M Library Systems, visit www.3M.com/library.

The ALA is the oldest, largest and most influential library association in the world with 61,100 members, who include primarily librarians but also trustees, publishers and other library supporters. The association represents all types of libraries – public, school, academic, state and special libraries serving persons in government, commerce, armed services, hospitals, prisons, and other institutions. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.

The ALA, as the voice for America’s Libraries, has made the campaign a priority over the next five years. To become a Library Champion and support the campaign, call the ALA Development Office at 1.800.545.2433, ext. 5050. To learn more about the campaign and how to get involved, please visit the
campaign Web site.