September 17, 1998

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

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National Photo Contest To Celebrate America's Libraries

A picture is worth a thousand words--and even a grand prize--in the Beyond Words: Celebrating America's Libraries photo contest sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Library of Congress. A cooperative project that will help mark the Library of Congress's bicentennial in 2000, the contest aims to capture through photography the spirit of libraries and the many ways that libraries shape lives. It is being underwritten by Ingram Library Services.

"The goal of the Library's bicentennial is to inspire creativity by stimulating greater use of the Library of Congress and of libraries everywhere," said John Y. Cole, Director of the Center for the Book and Co-Chair of the Library's Bicentennial Steering Committee. "The photo contest, which begins on January 1, 1999, will demonstrate the best of what libraries have to offer. With ALA's help, it should reach into every corner of our country."

Libraries of all types are invited to sponsor local contests and announce their winners during National Library Week, April 11-17, 1999. First place winners should be forwarded to ALA for national judging by May 1. National winners will be announced in June 1999. Their photos also will be displayed at the Library of Congress.

National awards will be given in three divisions: professional, amateur, and youth (ages 6-17). Prizes are $1,000 for first place; $500 for second; $250 for third; and $150 for honorable mention. The Grand Prize is $1,500 and a visit to Washington, including a special tour of the Library of Congress during its bicentennial year. An ALA President's Prize of $500 and a Librarian of Congress Prize of $500 also will be awarded.

A poster tip sheet with rules, entry forms, sample publicity materials and suggestions is available from the ALA Public Information Office, telephone: 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5044/5041. The fax is (312) 944-944-8520, and e-mail: pio@ala.org. The tip sheet is also available on-line on the ALA Web site at www.ala.org/celebrating/photo and from the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

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PR 98-149
9/17/98
ISSN 0731-3527