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ALA Releases 'State of Libraries' Report

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Contact: Macey Morales

2012 State of America’s Library Report shows free access to information in jeopardy

ALA releases Top Ten List of Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2011

CHICAGO — Publishers limiting library e-book lending, budget cuts and book challenges are just a few library trends of the past year that are placing free access to information in jeopardy. These trends as well as other are detailed in the 2012 State of America’s Libraries Report released today by the American Library Association (ALA) in conjunction with National Library Week (April 8 – 14).

The rapid growth of e-books has stimulated increasing demand for them in libraries, but libraries only have limited access to e-books because of restrictions placed on their use by publishers. Macmillan Publishing, Simon and Schuster and Hachette Book Group refused to sell e-books to libraries. HarperCollins imposed an arbitrary 26 loans per e-book license, and Penguin refused to let libraries lend its new titles altogether. When Random House raised e-book prices, the ALA urged it to reconsider. “In a time of extreme financial constraint, a major price increase effectively curtails access for many libraries, and especially our communities that are hardest hit economically,” Molly Raphael, ALA president, said in a statement.

Celebrate National Library Week 2012

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National Library Week, an annual celebration sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) is April 8-14, with a number of features to benefit supporters, staff and clientele of our nation's libraries including school librarians, teen readers, and bookmobile organizers and beneficiaries. Become and advocate for our libraries in public, private and parochial schools; universities; public libraries... and of course, we encourage supporting our local independent book sellers!

Visit the National Library Week 2012 page to find out more!

View a YouTube video of a News2 report by Erica Bivens on Virgin Islands Public Libraries

St. Thomas Library Friends Enjoy Audience with Members of 29th Legislature

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Virgin Islands Daily News coverage (PDF download - 10 MB)

St. Thomas, USVI (October 19, 2011): On Wednesday, The Friends of the St. Thomas Public Libraries (FOSTPL) celebrated National Friends of Libraries Week (October 16-22, 2011) with its 3rd annual Gathering of Friends event entitled "SOL – Support Our Libraries". Senators Janette Millin-Young and Patrick Simeon Sprauve, and representatives from the offices of Sens. Craig Barshinger, Carlton Dowe, Alvin Williams, Celestino A. White Sr., and Senate Vice President Louis Patrick Hill received dozens of concerned citizens of all ages who expressed their wishes for well-staffed, well-equipped libraries with convenient hours to serve the public.

FOSTPL President Judy King-Edmeade on WTJX-TV

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Friends of St. Thomas Public Libraries President Judy King-Edmeade appears in a segment of Newsline340 on local PBS station WTJX-Channel 12 discussing literacy and the importance of libraries with journalist Erica Bivens!

View the video online!

Text from the report:

"According to UNICEF, nearly a billion people will enter the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names, and two thirds of them are women. And they will live in more desperate poverty and poorer health than those who can. They are the world’s functional illiterates — and their numbers are growing.

Here in the Territory, our rates are comparable to urban districts in the states. Newsline340 reporter, Erica Bivens, spoke with several individuals on why literacy is important, what’s being done to improve it, and how libraries can help."