American University Library wins $5,000 as part of fifth-annual Check-It-Out-Yourself-Day

Contact: Larra Clark


312-280-5043

ALA News Release


For Immediate Release


June 11, 2001

American University Library wins $5,000 as part of fifth-annual Check-It-Out-Yourself-Day

3M donates $15,000 in awards to U.S. libraries

American University Library will receive $5,000 for its winning entry in the fifth-annual Check-It-Out-Yourself Day. It is one of eight U.S. libraries that has been selected to receive a total of $15,000 from 3M Library Systems. The cash awards, earmarked for purchasing new library materials, are part of Check-it-Out Yourself Day, sponsored by 3M. This annual event is part of celebrations of National Library Week, April 1-7, 2001.

"American University Library's 'time machine' theme and promotion of Check-it-Out Yourself Day was truly innovative and creative," said Judy Nelson, organizer of the annual event for 3M Library Systems. "We were excited to see such great participation from libraries around the country."

Check-it-Out Yourself Day is held at libraries across the nation to encourage individuals of all ages to check out their own materials from the library using the 3M™ SelfCheck™ System.

Libraries that participate in the event have an opportunity to win cash prizes for their library book funds. 3M offers the Most Creative and Innovative Award, which encourages libraries to develop fun themes to promote their library on Check-it-Out Yourself Day. Libraries complete entries and include photos of their efforts as well as copies of media coverage they received. This year the following libraries have been selected recipients of the Most Creative and Innovative Award:

  • $5,000 Recipient - American University Library, Washington, D.C.
  • $3,000 Recipient - Orem Public Library, Orem, Utah
  • $2,000 Recipient - Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, Ill.

In addition, libraries can also become eligible for cash prizes by having 100 or more patrons use their SelfCheck System on Check-it-Out Yourself Day. Five libraries were selected in a random drawing to receive $1,000 each for their library book funds. Recipients of the random drawings include: Tempe Public Library, Tempe, Ariz.; Clayton Community Library, Clayton, Calif.; Seminole County Public Library System, East Branch, Ovieod, Fla.; Tulsa City County Public Library, Helmerich Branch, Tulsa, Okla.; and Temple University, Paley Library, Philadelphia.

For more information about 3M Library Systems, please visit
www.3M.com/library.

3M is a founding partner of the American Library Association's @ your library™ campaign, a five-year public education campaign designed to inform the public about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century.

3M and SelfCheck are trademarks of 3M.