Sports Illustrated will make swimsuit issue available to libraries

Contact: Macey Morales


Manager Media Relations


312-280-4393


mmorales@ala.org

For Immediate Release


March 14, 2007

Sports Illustrated will make swimsuit issue available to libraries

CHICAGO- Sports Illustrated has decided to make the annual swimsuit issue available to libraries after ALA President Leslie Burger and others expressed their concerns about a decision by Time Inc., Sports Illustrated's parent company, to not mail the issue to institutional subscribers.

An SI spokes person said the magazine had received some complaints in the past about the issue, which contains many photos of models in skimpy bathing suits.

According to Sports Illustrated, 21,000 institutions, which include public, school, academic and special libraries, subscribe to the magazine. "It was a bad decision made within our organization to withhold the issue," said Rick McCabe, an SI spokes person. "We won't be withholding the swimsuit issue in the future." McCabe made his remarks to the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch.

Postcards will be sent to the affected institutions that will allow them to request a copy of the issue.

"The ALA is pleased that Time Inc. reconsidered its position regarding this matter," said Leslie Burger, president, ALA. "We appreciate that Time Inc. supports ALA's efforts to protect library users' ability to judge the material for themselves."