First Mora Award winner announced

Contact: Pamela Martin-Diaz


219-421-1355


pmartin@acpl.lib.in.us

ALA News Release


For Immediate Release

August 2000

First Mora Award winner announced

REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, has awarded the Austin (Texas )Public Library the first Estela and Raúl Mora Award. The $500 cash award and a plaque, established this year by poet Pat Mora and her siblings in honor of their parents, was created to stimulate participation in and recognition of
Dia de los Niños/ Dia de los libros (Children’s Day/Books’ Day). Celebrated annually on April 30,
Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros began in 1996 to promote and celebrate children, books and bilingual literacy.

The Austin Public Library was selected due to the depth and breadth of the coalition that was created around their celebration and the event’s focus on children and bilingual literacy.

“
Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros is an excellent outreach and collaborative effort,” says Oralia Garza de Cortes, REFORMA president. “Other agencies are also looking for ways to involve Latino families in their activities. Participating in
Dia de los Niños/Dia de los libros gives them the opportunity to partner with agencies who have a common purpose.”

For more information about the award, call Pamela Martin-Diaz at 219-421-1355 or send e-mail to
pmartin@acpl.lib.in.us.