American Library Association to lead rally for libraries on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 1,000 librarians from across the country will defy the stereotype of their “quiet profession” and stand up for the needs of the public during the American Library Association’s (ALA) Library Advocacy Day featuring a rally at 11 a.m., June 29, 2010, on the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C.

The rally, which is scheduled for the final day of the 2010 ALA Annual Conference, held June 24 – 29, is open to the public and will feature such speakers as  young adult author Lauren Myracle, U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers (MI-3) and ALA President Camila Alire.

After the rally, ALA members will meet with their members of Congress and their staffs to drive home the needs and concerns of the libraries in their communities, which are facing local budget shortages at a time when the public is growing increasingly dependent on services. For more information about the event, go to www.ala.org/lad.  All media is invited to attend the rally.

WHO: American Library Association
WHAT: Library Advocacy Day Rally
WHEN: 11 a.m. June 29, 2010
WHERE: Upper Senate Park, U.S. Capitol Grounds  

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.

For more information on the 2010 Annual ALA Conference, please visit the ALA Conference Web site at www.ala.org/annual.

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