September 09 - American Library Association

amanda31 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:51 pm

As we’re resuming our Charity of the Month spotlight after a short hiatus, we wanted to focus on an organization that is close to all of our hearts. Some people are dedicated to animal charities, others are devoted cancer advocates, and yet others spend their time helping the homeless. But I can comfortably say that each and every TwilightMOM feels a close connection to this month’s spotlighted charity: the American Library Association!

We’re all avid readers (have you seen our massively popular Book of the Month and Books forums?!) and likely regular patrons of our local libraries, so what better to support as our September Charity of the Month than an organization that encourages our obsession and supplies us with our “own brand of heroine” :hyper2:

AND September is Library Card Sign-up Month – a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

Library cards are generally free to those living in the library's service area.

About the American Library Association
Many of us may already be familiar with the ALA because of the Twilight READ poster featuring Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart that was released last year in the ALA store (where proceeds help to support the ALA’s general programs; check out some of the other cool posters they have, too!)

But you might not know that the ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world with members in academic, public, school, government and special libraries. ALA is a more than 64,000-member-strong organization that seeks to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services, and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

ILoveLibraries.org is an initiative of the ALA. The Web site is designed for the people who use and love libraries. They aim to keep you informed about everything libraries have to offer, as well as develop new ways to involve you in their continued health and vitality.

Donate
The unfortunate truth is that public libraries are consistently receiving less and less government funding, resulting in many libraries being forced to close down :wah:

In 2006 I went to the ALA annual conference in Washington, DC, where they held the red-carpet premiere of a documentary called The Hollywood Librarian: Librarians in Cinema and Society. The film provides an interesting look at the history of libraries and librarians, the important role they play in the community, and the bleak futures some face as funding is cut.

If you’re interested in viewing the documentary, you can check with your local libraries to see if they have it, or urge them to buy it for local screenings. I’m also a fan of the documentary because my local library in PA was featured in the film, as well as my mom who is a librarian there

Should you choose to make a donation to the ALA, your unrestricted donation will be used to help grow awareness of the health and vitality of today's libraries, as well as the issues that affect them, providing resources and support to enhance the advocacy efforts for all types of libraries as well as the library profession.

To donate, visit the giveALA site, create a Web profile, click on “ALA Divisions and Offices,” and scroll down to the Office for Library Advocacy.

Become a Friend
Just as people can have friends, so can libraries! If you love libraries, you may want to consider becoming a Friend.

The work of Friends groups varies widely. There may be a need for volunteers for fundraising activities, such as book sales and special events. At the other end of the spectrum, some Friends groups get involved in lobbying for particular advocacy efforts, such as building new library facilities, increasing the library's budget or even legislative issues at the state or national level.

Contact your local public, school or academic library to find out if a Friends group already exists in our community. If there is no Friends group, you might consider starting one. For tips on how to get started, visit the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations, a division of the ALA.

Additional Support
If you’re looking for a quick an easy way to show your support for libraries, you can get a badge to add to your Web site or blog here and become their Facebook friend here.

Most libraries provide more than books – including movies, audio books, and internet access, and offer various community programs for all ages (usually at little or no cost!). For instance, I’m currently taking part in a “Movies vs. Books” program at my library where we read, watch and discuss four books that have been made into movies.

If you haven’t been to your local library lately, make a point to stop by and explore it!

lauralee · **Posted:** Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:09 am

I

the ALA.
I'm a member, and loved the Books with Bite campaign. And I love my Rob/Kristin poster so much, I made it into my Goodreads avatar!!! ALA isn't just about books; they've brought in the audiobooks, the internet access, the children's programing, the community outreach programs (like those for senior citizens or literacy campaigns), and helping patrons with daily life (finding the right government programs, writing wills, etc.). The ALA provides assistance to all types of libraries: public libraries, school libraries, research libraries, corporate and medical libraries, academic libraries, etc. The ALA is a defender of your first amendment rights, and a provider, like Amanda said, of our favorite "brand of herione".

But people don't realize how much of that is provided thanks to donations. I am so happy :clap:

to see it spotlighted.

Pixie · **Posted:** Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:43 am

Aww, I love the Where the Wild Things are Poster.

Joanne Maria · **Posted:** Sat Sep 05, 2009 11:56 am

The Library is one of my best friends.
Just signed up on their Facebook page.
When my girls were younger and money was scarce, that's where we spent most of our summers. The girls participated in the summer reading programs, we went to cultural shows every week, took out tons of books and it was air conditioned...LOL
This is a memory my daughters still have and they too are reader's, not only for school but for enjoyment.
I regularly listen to audiobooks that I get from the library and always use the internet to place items on hold.
Through the years I have donated hundreds of books and will continue doing so.
The library is a gift that we should all open and enjoy and help. :<3:

Shimmerskin · **Posted:** Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:57 pm

I'll never forget my first-ever visit to a library when I was very young. It was a revelation. It was a wonderland. All those books! For me!! All I had to do to read them...was read them...and so I did.

One right after another, or several at a time, and many over and over again. A library holds all the world's magic under one roof. :flower:

I'm so happy to see the ALA as our Charity of the Month for September! (Now I'm off to buy the Twilight READ poster to donate to my school library!)

sheacox · **Posted:** Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:53 pm

I never knew so ALA did and offered so much! Thank you for posting this and making them our charity of the month. My school is really focusing on literacy so I want to show my principal all of the posters. They would be great to buy and post all over our school. Thanks ladies!

MajorWhitlock · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:44 am

I totally bought the Twilight READ poster and I LOVE IT!! I'm on their mailing list now and oh! There are so many tempting things in that magazine!

suelibevg · **Posted:** Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:59 pm

Outstanding choice!! I'm a librarian and have worked in both public and school libraries. I'm currently a school librarian and I firmly believe that anyone who reads is smarter. I tell students that when you read for fun, your brain relaxes and absorbs more information. So when they are studying texbooks, the brain recognizes reading and they absorb more information and therefore get better grades!! Between Twilight and Harry Potter, I am grateful for those authors who take the time and put their dreams on paper. Libraries allow anyone to be a lifelong learner. Thanks so much.

lauralee · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:37 pm

The next ALA campaign is Banned Books Week (Sept. 26-Oct. 3). Since TW and HP have been subjects of book bannings, we have the ALA's support to thank for these books still being on our school library shelves. Here is a really cool bracelet they are selling to promote the event. You might be surprised what other titles have been banned.

http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=2622

KsTwiMom · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:55 pm

This is a wonderful cause to support. I grew up in a small town. Going to the library was a Saturday event and getting my first library card was a rite of passage, the ticket to a whole new world. My elementary school did not even have a library. When I was in fourth grade we had a fund raiser and were able to purchase enough books to fill the two shelves we were given in the janitor's closet. Thanks to ALA, a school without a library is a rarity today. I received my degree in Library and Educational Media in 1973 and 36 years later seeing a young person turned on to the joy of reading is still a thrill.

amanda31 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:52 pm

lauralee wrote:

The next ALA campaign is Banned Books Week (Sept. 26-Oct. 3). Since TW and HP have been subjects of book bannings, we have the ALA's support to thank for these books still being on our school library shelves. Here is a really cool bracelet they are selling to promote the event. You might be surprised what other titles have been banned.

http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=2622

Thanks for sharing this, Laurelee! It's always amazing to see any books being banned, let alone some of our favorites.

Verlinda · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:49 pm

Thanks for supporting the ALA! I got my library card at my local library when I was very young--probably around 4 or 5--and thoroughly enjoyed escaping through the books I read--week in and week out, I'd come home with the maximum number I could check out at one time.

Libraries are so underappreciated in our culture, and it's nice to see them getting some recognition and support for what they offer to everyone.

Verlinda

AmyO · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:27 pm

The ALA now has a READ poster featuring Taylor Lautner reading New Moon

You can buy it here.

lauralee · **Posted:** Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:56 am

AmyO wrote:

The ALA now has a READ poster featuring Taylor Lautner reading New Moon

You can buy it here.

AmyO, isn't this just cool. I can't wait to get one to match my TW Bella/Edward Read poster. :hyper2:

September 09 - American Library Association

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