@ your libraryTM campaign kicks off new year with more than 1,000 libraries on board

Contact: Deborah Davis


312-280-2148



dedavis@ala.org

ALA News Release


For Immediate Release


January 2002

@ your library™ campaign kicks off new year with more than 1,000 libraries on board

@ your library™, The Campaign for America's Libraries is catching on. From coast to coast, 1,100 libraries - public, school, academic and special - in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are using the campaign as an umbrella for everything from developing statewide, multi-year public awareness programs and promoting new services to advocating for new buildings and building support for more funding.

Statewide efforts, such as those in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Florida, New Jersey and Idaho, as well as outreach conducted by regional associations, library systems, cooperatives and summer reading programs, are potentially reaching 10,000 libraries nationwide, based on information provided to the American Library Association (ALA) Public Information Office.

Information on how libraries are participating and tips on how to get involved in the campaign can be found in the January 2002 issue of
American Libraries ("ALA Campaign Takes Flight @ the Local Level," pgs 71-75).

"The campaign reflects the broadest range of marketing and outreach efforts," says ALA President John W. Berry. "This means libraries are customizing the program to fit their needs, which is exactly what it was intended to do. @ your library has given these libraries an opportunity to showcase, over a multi-year period, their value in the 21st century and the librarians who bring them to life."

In its first year, the campaign also went global. A partnership with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), unveiled in August, has made the U.S. program available to the international library community. To date, several Canadian library associations, Iceland, Italy and Turkey have officially joined The Campaign for the World's Libraries. Australia, Denmark, Japan and Mexico also have expressed interest.

"The @ your library program is adding value to ALA's existing communications initiatives and helping leverage the resources of local libraries," adds Berry. "The campaign is increasing awareness and support for libraries by recognizing their vitality in a positive context, strengthening the image of libraries and librarians in the 21st century, and bringing renewed energy to the promotion of our profession."

Berry notes that the campaign also offers some creative solutions to communications challenges that libraries may be facing - from a shortage of personnel to budget cuts - and in doing so, provides "best practices" from which libraries of all types can benefit.

"Recruitment is a top priority for me. I am really pleased to see that the campaign is being used to address this critical issue."

For more information on the campaign and to subscribe to a discussion list for the latest updates and idea-sharing, visit the
Web site. Libraries are encouraged to send multiple samples of their involvement in the campaign for use in presentations, trainings and articles to: Megan Humphrey, Campaign Coordinator, ALA PIO, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Samples also may be sent electronically to:
atyourlibrary@ala.org.