For Immediate Release
Office of Mrs. Bush
June 4, 2002
Laura Bush announces $5 million pledge for school libraries
Washington, D.C. -- Laura Bush today announced that more than $5
million has been pledged to start building an endowment for the Laura
Bush Foundation for Americas Libraries. The announcement came at the
close of Mrs. Bushs White House Conference on School Libraries, which
addressed the newest research in library science and successful library
programs. The conference included librarians, academians, foundation
directors, and school board members.
A love of books of holding a book, turning its pages, looking at
its pictures, and living its fascinating stories goes hand-in-hand
with a love of learning, said Mrs. Bush. Every child in America should
have access to a well-stocked school library.
Mrs. Bush and co-host Dr. Robert Martin -- a career librarian and
director of the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services --
were joined by education, library, government, and philanthropic
leaders from across the country in highlighting the importance of
school libraries in childrens education. The Institute of Museum and
Library Services (IMLS) is a primary source of federal grants for the
nations libraries and museums.
During her opening remarks, Mrs. Bush said, Libraries allow
children to ask questions about the world and find the answers, Mrs.
Bush said. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a
library, the doors to learning are always open.
The conference focused on what works in school libraries and
provided up-to-date reports on policy, on the latest research, and on
what makes a successful local library.
Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation, and
former president of Brown University and the New York Public Library,
spoke about the role that libraries play in promoting literacy, reading
and education.
Christine DeVita, president of the DeWitt Wallace-Readers Digest
Fund, spoke about the role of philanthropy in supporting school
libraries. She noted that over the past decade, the Funds Library Power
initiative helped more than 700 schools turn their libraries into
stronger centers of teaching and learning.
Dr. Susan Neuman is the assistant secretary for elementary and
secondary education at the U.S. Department of Education. She spoke on
the role that libraries play in elementary and secondary education and
the importance of teacher-librarians working with teachers and
students.
Dr. Keith Curry Lance, director of library research service in the
Colorado Department of Educations State Library and Adult Education
Office, is the author of many landmark library policy studies. He
spoke about his research establishing the link between school libraries
and student achievement.
A panel spoke about their experiences with students, teachers and
school libraries. The panel included:
Dr. Steve Wisely, superintendent of Medford School District in
Medford, Oregon;
Dr. Gary Hartzell, professor of educational administration and
supervision at the University of Nebraska at Omaha;
Faye Kimsey-Pharr, principal of Lakeside Academy of Math,
Science and Technology (an elementary school)
in Chattanooga, Tennessee; and
Dr. Kathleen D. Smith, principal of Cherry Creek High School in
Cherry Creek, Colorado.
At the close of the event, Mrs. Bush announced that Bill Marriott,
chairman and CEO of Marriott International Inc., will serve as chairman
of the Foundations leadership council, and John Bryan, retired chairman
and CEO of Sara Lee Corporation, will serve as vice-chairman. Pam
Willeford, who is chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board, will serve as executive director and chairwoman of the advisory
committee. The committee will develop the guidelines for grant
applications.
For more information on the Laura Bush Foundation for Americas
Libraries contact
Meg Pearson at the Community Foundation at 202-955-5890, or visit
the website at www.laurabushfoundation.org.
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