ALSC selects three libraries for first annual Bookapalooza program
Contact: Laura Schulte-Cooper
ALSC
Program Officer
312-280-2165
For Immediate Release
May 21, 2007
ALSC selects three libraries for first annual Bookapalooza program
CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce the winners of the first annual Bookapalooza program. The three libraries selected to receive a collection of children’s materials are College Gate Elementary School Library (Anchorage, Alaska), Custer County School District Library (Westcliffe, Colo.), and Creswell (Ore.) Library.
The ALSC Executive Committee reviewed and scored the applications.
The collections, which consist of books, videos, audiobooks, and recordings produced in 2006 and submitted by children’s trade publishers to the 2007 award and media evaluation committees for consideration, are intended to help transform each library’s collection and provide an opportunity for these materials to be used in each community in creative and innovative ways. The Bookapalooza program aligns with ALSC’s core purpose of creating a better future for all children through libraries.
“Reviewing these applications was a good reminder of how so many of our colleagues are managing with scarce resources. Their commitment to the children and communities they serve is admirable," said ALSC President Kathleen T. Horning.
“The local branch of the public library which for 15 years was located in the adjacent shopping mall just closed so children will not have ready access to a summer reading program or reading materials this summer,” said Dona J. Helmer, College Gate School librarian. “Bookapalooza can be the catalyst that revitalizes our community.”
Esther Moberg, Creswell Library youth services librarian said, “The Bookapalooza program will make an incredible difference in our library and the way we serve the children and teens in our area. Our programs and services have the potential to be far more effective and dynamic with these kinds of resources.”
“I want my students to experience not just the horses, cattle and rodeo of our ranching community, but to also know about Africa and New York City and people who are different from them. I believe it is through books that our children can experience this,” said Gretchen Villers, school library media specialist, Custer County School District Library.
Information about and the application for next year’s Bookapalooza program are available on the ALSC Web site, http://www.ala.org/alsc. Applications must be received in the ALSC office by December 1, 2007. For more information contact the ALSC office, 800-545-2433, ext. 2164; or e-mail: astrittmatter@ala.org.
