Silent auction to benefit ALA Hurricane Katrina Library Relief Fund

Contact: Laura Schulte-Cooper

ALSC

312-280-2165

For Immediate Release

June 20, 2006

Silent auction to benefit ALA Hurricane Katrina Library Relief Fund

CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is holding a silent auction during the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in New Orleans. Two pieces of original artwork created and donated by Lynne Rae Perkins, the 2006 Newbery Medal winner, and Chris Raschka, the 2006 Caldecott Medal winner, will be on auction. One hundred percent of the auction proceeds will benefit the ALA Hurricane Katrina Library Relief Fund.

"ALSC is truly grateful to Lynne Rae and Chris for their generous donations," said ALSC President Ellen G. Fader. "These very special sketches, sure to become collector's items, not only will delight the lucky individuals who win them, but also will help raise much needed funds to aid libraries in the Gulf Coast region-a twofold gift!"

Perkins' art piece features Lenny, a character from
Criss Cross (Greenwillow, 2005), with a bird flying in his head. This particular piece is a favorite of Perkins. Raschka's artwork is a sketch for the jacket image of
The Hello, Goodbye Window (Hyperion, 2005).

Bid sheets will be available at the ALSC Membership Booth, Morial Convention Center-Lobby J, Saturday through Monday, June 24-26, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. No bids will be accepted after 4 p.m., Monday, June 26. The winning bidders will be notified by phone, announced at the ALSC Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, June 27 (2-5:30 p.m., Morial Convention Center, Room 348), and published in the
ALSConnect newsletter and on the ALSC-L electronic discussion list.

ALSC is a division of the American Library Association.