July 18, 1997

Contact:
Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189

---

"Building a Nation of Readers" Brochure Available

A six-page brochure has just been published describing how individuals, families, schools, libraries, civic and educational organizations, and businesses can participate in "Building a Nation of Readers," the national reading promotion theme for 1997-2000 of the Library's Center for the Book. The brochure features Tara Holland, Miss America 1997, the official campaign spokesperson, and photographs from Library: The Drama Within, by Diane Asseo Griliches, a book of photographs celebrating libraries and their patrons published in 1996 by the University of New Mexico Press in association with the Center for the Book.

"Our theme reminds Americans of the importance of reading to individuals and to the nation," said John Y. Cole, the center's director. "It is both a reminder and a goal for where we want the nation to be in the year 2000. The Library of Congress invites schools, libraries, educational, civic and government organizations, corporations, professional associations, labor unions, and others to join us in building a nation of readers by organizing and supporting reading promotion projects that benefit all age groups."

The "Building a Nation of Readers" brochure was funded by Pizza Hut Inc., sponsor of the BOOK-IT! National Reading Incentive Program in the nation's elementary schools, and one of the Center for the Book's national reading promotion partners.

Copies are available from the Center for the Book, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, DC 20540-4920, phone (202) 707-5221, and from the BOOK-IT Program, phone (800) 426-6548.

The Center for the Book was established by law in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries. For further information, visit the center on the World Wide Web at: http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/.

# # #

PR 97-121
7/18/97
ISSN 0731-3527