Media Inquiries: 
To learn more about key issues, events, promotions, and general information at libraries in Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, and St. Croix counties, contact Kathy O'Leary, IFLS Public Relations, at 715-839-5082, ext. 18 or oleary@ifls.lib.wi.us.
To discuss key issues facing America’s libraries and librarians and to talk to an American Library Association (ALA) spokesperson, contact Macey Morales, Manager of Media Relations, at 312-280-4393, or mmorales@ala.org.
News Releases
Press Kits
National Library Week Press Kit
National library week, April 8 – 14, 2012 is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate. This year’s theme is "You belong @ your library®."
Public Library Association Conference Press Kit
The Public Library Association (PLA) 14th biennial conference, held March 13 - 17, 2012, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, is the premier event for public libraries, and holds some of the most valuable events for public library professionals. PLA 2012 will feature more than 180 top-quality educational programs, author events and nearly 400 exhibiting companies.
Teen Tech Week Press Kit
Teen Tech Week 2012 is March 4-10! Teen Tech Week is a national initiative aimed at teens, librarians, educators, parents, and other concerned adults that highlights non print resources at the library. The 2012 theme — Geek Out @ your library — focuses on encouraging teens to use library resources to express their creativity by developing their own unique online content and safely sharing it by using online collaborative tools.
Día Press Kit
Children's Day/Book Day, also known as El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Día), is a celebration of children, families, and reading held annually on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
2012 ALA Midwinter Meeting
Generally held in January, the ALA Midwinter Meeting draws more than 10,000 leaders in the library and information industry for some 1,800 meetings and events. About 425 exhibits feature the latest in books, videos, computers and other materials and resources available to millions of library users.
ALA Youth Media Awards
Each year the American Library Association (ALA) honors books and media for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards, including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media. Winners are announced annually at the ALA Midwinter Meeting of the association (usually in January).
School Library Funding
Good school libraries are essential to a good education. About 44 million elementary, middle, and high school students use a school library each week. Although considered a valued resource in many communities, funding for school libraries is being cut to satisfy local deficits, resulting in the loss of school librarian, materials and technology training.
2011 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study Press Kit
The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) is the largest and longest running study of its kind. The survey is conducted by the American Library Association (ALA), the University of Maryland-College Park and Florida State University. It is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA. The study will provide information from public libraries regarding their Internet connectivity, public computing, technology training, and other public library roles as public access technology centers in their communities.
Kids! @ your library® (ALA)
Kids! @ your library® is a new national effort to raise awareness of all the free resources available for children and families and encourage all parents to ring their school-age children to their public libraries. Numerous studies show that access to books and magazines is directly related to higher reading achievement.