Tag Archives: Maureen Sullivan

Counting on Advocates: Illinois Advocate Mary Ann Bretzlauf Awarded for Library Leadership

Posted on May 7, 2013 by | 1 Comment
(left to right) Maureen Sullivan, Mary Ann Bretzlauf, and advocates RoseEllen Reynolds Joan Reeves.

(left to right) Maureen Sullivan, Mary Ann Bretzlauf, and advocates RoseEllen Reynolds Joan Reeves.

Today, library advocate Mary Ann Bretzlauf, of Gurnee, Ill., received the American Library Association’s White House Conference on Library and Information Services Taskforce Award for her commitment to supporting national libraries.

Libraries are great equalizers—if they remain fairly funded.

Bretzlauf received the award during the association’s 39th Annual National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C. A strong and tireless advocate for libraries, Bretzlauf has served as the vice president of the Warren-Newport Public Library’s Board of Trustees for the past two years.

Working as a community college English teacher at the College of Lake County, Bretzlauf was one of the first faculty members to embed reference librarians in online composition classes.

“Libraries are great equalizers—if they remain fairly funded,” said Bretzlauf. “Part of good government means fair and consistent funding for our libraries.”

The WHCLIST Award bestows library advocates a stipend to travel to the D.C. event to participate in National Library Legislative Day, the annual event when hundreds of library champions from across the country converge in Washington to meet with members of Congress to discuss key library issues.

ALA President Maureen Sullivan personally presented the award to Bretzlauf during the opening event.

For photos of the event, go to http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/nlld/press. To learn more about the award, go to www.ala.org/awardsgrants.

About Jazzy Wright

Jazzy Wright is the Press Officer of the American Library Association's Washington Office. Email her at jwright@alawash.org.

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Posted in Advocacy Spotlight, OGR

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Parental Connection to Libraries Defined

Posted on May 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Library PatronWhat’s the one thing that nearly all parents agree is valuable for their children? The library, of course! Ninety-four percent of parents say libraries are important for their children, according to new report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project.

The study, “Parents’ and Children’s Special Relationship with Reading and Libraries,” reveals the strong connections parents have with public libraries.

“This study echoes what librarians have heard from parents for years: libraries encourage and build a love of reading and books,” said American Library Association President Maureen Sullivan in a statement. “Librarians provide more information and resources than any family can afford to have at home. Libraries provide a safe and welcoming space for reading and learning.

“A whopping 77 percent of teenagers come to us to support their out-of-school learning! Libraries continue to link people with the information and the critical resources they need to educate themselves and to connect with their communities. Eighty-seven percent of children who visited the library do so to borrow books. Fifty-five percent went to do school work.

“An important way in which libraries support lifelong learning is by offering public programs that range from story time for preschoolers to homework programs for teens,” she continued. “A recent report from the Institute of Museum and Library Services finds that libraries offered 2.3 million programs for children. Attendance at these children’s programs exceeded 60.5 million.

Read the rest of Sullivan’s statement or read the full report.

About Jazzy Wright

Jazzy Wright is the Press Officer of the American Library Association's Washington Office. Email her at jwright@alawash.org.

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Posted in OITP, Public Libraries

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TODAY: Simon & Schuster Launches Ebook Pilot Program

Posted on April 15, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Today, Simon & Schuster announced (pdf) the launch of a one-year ebook pilot program with three New York library systems. In response to the news, American Library Association President Maureen Sullivan released the following statement:

“We are pleased Simon & Schuster has recognized the vital roles of libraries in supporting reading in all its formats by announcing a library e-lending pilot in New York City. As we celebrate the 55th annual National Library Week, it is a particularly fortuitous time for the publisher to join its Big Six colleagues by providing access to e-books through our nation’s libraries. We hope that Simon & Schuster will extend its pilot to libraries beyond New York City in the near future. Books and knowledge—in all their forms—are essential. The ALA and our members welcome new and expanded digital access for all.”

About Jazzy Wright

Jazzy Wright is the Press Officer of the American Library Association's Washington Office. Email her at jwright@alawash.org.

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ALA President, Secretary Hillary Clinton Sign “Declaration of Learning”

Posted on January 30, 2013 by | 4 Comments

Today, American Library Association (ALA) President Maureen Sullivan joined Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, along with twelve government agencies and organizations, to sign the “Declaration of Learning,” a statement that formally announces their partnership as members of the Inter-Agency Collaboration on Learning.

Signed on the Treaty of Paris Desk at the Department of State Headquarters, the declaration recognizes participating institutions for their commitment to use historic artifacts in their collections to create digital learning tools for students and educators.

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Sec. Clinton with IMLS’ Susan Hildreth and Maureen Sullivan

“As a representative of libraries that are using cutting-edge digital learning tools to teach students and patrons the skills that they need to succeed, I am pleased to take part in this critical partnership,” said Sullivan. “The Declaration of Learning helps to ensure that library patrons have access to digital learning resources from the historic Diplomatic Reception Rooms.”

Additionally, the signing ceremony honors Secretary Clinton for her role in the completion of the “Patrons of Diplomacy” initiative, which established the first permanent endowment for the Diplomatic Reception Rooms and the funding to launch education programs to share the Rooms and their objects with people around the world.

Susan Hildreth, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services signed the declaration, along with David Ferriero, archivist of the United States. Other institutions participating in the Inter-Agency Collaboration on Education include:

  • Library of Congress
  • National Park Service
  • Smithsonian Institutions
  • National Endowment for the Humanities
  • National Endowment for the Arts, Newseum
  • National Center for Literacy Education
  • National Council of Teachers of English
  • National Council for the Social Studies
  • Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U.S. Department of State

View the full Declaration of Learning. Learn more at www.state.gov

About Jazzy Wright

Jazzy Wright is the Press Officer of the American Library Association's Washington Office. Email her at jwright@alawash.org.

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Posted in Digital Divide, Digital Literacy, OGR

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Today: Macmillan Readies for Library Ebook Lending Market

Posted on January 24, 2013 by | 1 Comment
ALA President Maureen Sullivan

ALA President Maureen Sullivan

Today, on the eve of the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, Macmillan Publishers announced that it will enter the library e-book lending market (with a pilot program) by March 2013. Read the Macmillan press release for more details.

In response to the announcement, ALA President Maureen Sullivan immediately released the following statement:

“I am so pleased Macmillan Publishers is beginning to sell e-books to America’s libraries so that we may connect their authors and our readers in the digital age. This is a welcome acknowledgment of our advocacy and the importance of the library market. We have always known that library lending encourages patrons to experiment by sampling new authors, topics and genres. This experimentation stimulates the market for books, with the library serving as a critical de facto discovery, promotion and awareness service for authors and publishers.

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About Jazzy Wright

Jazzy Wright is the Press Officer of the American Library Association's Washington Office. Email her at jwright@alawash.org.

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