Simmesport State Bank and R.R. Donnelley Foundation receive ALTA Major Benefactors Honor Award
Contact: Gretchen Kalwinski, ALTA Program Assistant
312-280-2161
For Immediate Release
June 13, 2003
Simmesport State Bank and R.R. Donnelley Foundation receive ALTA Major Benefactors Honor Award
The R.R. Donnelley Foundation and Simmesport State Bank are the winners of the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA) Major Benefactors Honor Award.
The award, two specially prepared citations for the recipient(s) and the beneficiary library, is given to individuals, families or corporate bodies for major benefactions to public libraries.
In August of 2002, R.R. Donnelley donated $25,000 to the Fountaindale Public Library bookmobile, which serves the communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Ill. In addition, the company awarded the bookmobile a large collection of children’s books that promote multicultural awareness and diversity.
“Their gift will help us in our efforts to bring library services directly to the residents of Bolingbrook and Romeoville,” said Fountaindale Public Library Director Lydia Acosta.
“Additionally, the multi-cultural children’s book collection will be a great asset in our efforts to serve the cultural and ethnic populations in our community, promote cultural awareness and further our commitment to the needs of the children.”
“Our company believes strongly in the value of a diverse culture and the importance of giving back to our communities,” said R. R. Donnelley Logistics President John Campanelli. “Supporting the library’s bookmobile gives us the opportunity to achieve both of those goals. Above all, we support the library’s mission to promote literacy and a love of reading among the children and adults within the communities they serve.”
Simmesport (La.) State Bank donated their original 1950 bank building and land, valued at over $50,000, to the Avoyelles Parish Library System.
The land and the building is the first property to ever be owned by the Avoyelles Parish Library system since it’s inception 50 years ago.
“The Simmesport State Bank has been an ardent supporter of the library in Avoyelles Parish and especially the local branch in Simmesport,” said Wayne Coco, architect and ALTA councilor.
“Their commitment to the betterment of our community is outstanding.”
“We will hopefully be able to use their example of goodwill and community spirit in the years to come to perhaps find other public-spirited entities who can provide further buildings for our library system,” said Avoyelles Parish Library System Director Theresa Thevenote.
The citations are presented locally in a ceremony at the library. For more information on the award visit the ALTA Awards Web site.
ALTA is a division of the American Library Association.
