2002 John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award winners announced
Contact: Arawa McClendon
312-280-
For Immediate Release
January 19, 2002
2002 John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award winners announced
Six libraries are winners of the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award, which recognizes and honors outstanding achievement in library public relations. This award, jointly sponsored by The H. W. Wilson Company, Bronx, N.Y., and the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has been awarded continuously since 1946.
"Libraries are doing amazing public relations projects," said Marcia Schneider, Award Committee chair. "The quality and imagination demonstrated in these outstanding entries show how well libraries understand the importance of a well executed campaign. Winning a John Cotton Dana Award - the most prestigious of all library awards in the public relations field - is important not only to the winning library, but also is a symbol of pride to the community it represents."
The 2002 awards will be presented to:
Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library for its innovative program "Baby Boosters," promoting the library as an ideal resource for parents and caregivers of preschoolers. The program utilized volunteers, colorful posters and a dynamic web page to attract its target audience.
Bowling Green (Ky.) Public Library, for a campaign to turn an historic railroad depot into a branch library featuring a technology hub and an early childhood center. The focus is on services to young children, parents and caregivers.
Calgary Public Library (Alberta, Canada), for its television campaign "Rediscover Your Calgary Library." Vibrant resources featuring library resources stressed the value, convenience, and validity of library services.
Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library Development Services, for the successful campaign "It's Never Too Early." This proactive statewide initiative promotes reading by connecting parents and caregivers of preschool children with local public library services.
New York Public Library, for "Where the Performing Arts Live." This plan raised the curtain on a $37 million/three year project that successfully heralded the renovation of one of the city's most valuable resources.
North Suburban Library System, (Wheeling, Ill.), for "What's New in Libraries?" an integrated public awareness campaign for the 21st Century. The project utilized print, cable television and the Internet to inform the public about programs available at today's dynamic libraries.
Winning entries will be displayed at the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award booth in the exhibit area during the 2002 ALA Annual Conference, June 13-19, in Atlanta. Conference participants will also be able to view on Sunday, June 16, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the "Best of Show/Swap and Shop" program sponsored by LAMA.
