ALSC to kick off Kids! @ your library campaign at Annual
Contact: Laura Schulte-Cooper
ALSC
312-280-2165
For Immediate Release
May 4, 2006
ALSC to kick off Kids! @ your library® campaign at Annual
Singer Bill Harley to perform special song praising libraries
CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), officially will launch its Kids! @ your library® public awareness campaign in New Orleans with a special program on Sunday, June 25, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Morial Convention Center, Rooms 338-339. Grammy-nominated singer/storyteller Bill Harley will be on hand to perform "@ your library," a song he created especially for the Kids! Campaign.
The song is just one of many resources ALSC is providing to help libraries reach out to children, their parents and caregivers. A complete tool kit of resources, including a sample communication plan; publicity, programming, and promotion ideas; sample news releases, public service announcements, and letter to youth-serving agencies; downloadable campaign logo and artwork; and more will be available soon at
www.ala.org/kids.
"Harley really hits the mark with the upbeat and catchy '@ your library' song," said Stephanie Bange, Kids! Campaign Task Force Chair. "His sense of humor, love of music, and knowledge of and respect for children shine through in this spirited trip to the library set to music."
Harley shares the vocals with a chorus of children, who bring warmth and a sense of camaraderie to the song. His back and forth banter with the kids adds a touch of charm and playful humor.
"Every child needs a safe place to fall-a place where he or she can explore things without worrying about failure and judgment," said Harley. "A library is one of those places. In a library, you can learn by following your own nose, which is very different from someone telling you what you should learn. Once a kid learns a library is hers, to use as she wants, the world opens up. I've seen it happen. It happened to me."
Don't miss this opportunity to see Harley live, performing "@ your library" and sharing special stories during the "Kids! @ your library® Campaign" program, Sunday, June 25. You also will learn how you can promote your library to school-age children, their parents and caregivers with tool kit materials designed to meet the needs of libraries of all sizes and types.
For more campaign resources, visit
www.ala.org/kids. In June, Harley's "@ your library" song will be available to download and use in your library and community. Various versions will be offered, including an instrumental and a PSA-length version.
