Public Affairs Office
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington DC 20540-1610
tel (202) 707-2905
fax (202) 707-9199
August 31, 1999
Media Contact: Yvonne French (202) 707-9191
Media Registration: To attend, press must call Stevan Jackson (202) 458-5054
Media Advisory
Library Cosponsors International Literacy Day Celebration
WHO: John Y. Cole, Director, Center for the Book in the Library of Congress
WHAT: He discuss how the Library of Congress Bicentennial will promote reading, books, libraries and literacy.
WHEN: 10-11 a.m. Sept. 8 Reception 11 a.m. - noon Exhibit booth 10 a.m. - mid-afternoon
WHERE: The World Bank, 1818 H St. N.W.
WHY: The Center for the Book is one of three cosponsors of International Literacy Day
Background
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will join the International Reading Association and the World Bank in sponsoring the U.S. celebration of International Literacy Day. Since 1994, the Center for the Book has been a cosponsor of International Literacy Day, having hosted events at the Library in 1994 and 1996.
Center for the Book Director John Y. Cole will speak at the opening program. He will also be available to talk one-on-one during the reception and afterward at an exhibition booth.
The Center for the Book is one of several reading and literacy groups to sponsor a booth in observance of International Literacy Day. Staff at the booth will demonstrate the Library's Web site, including the Center for the Book's directory of international literacy and reading promotion organizations. On display will be a collection of posters from international literacy initiatives. The Center's staff will give away posters and provide information about the Library of Congress Bicentennial, which occurrs on April 24, 2000.
In addition to the International Literacy Day celebration cosponsors, other organizations expected to exhibit include: International Literacy Institute, Oxfam, Reading Is Fundamental, UNESCO, UNICEF and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress was created by law in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries. For information about the center and its projects, visit its web site at: www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook.
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PR 99-125
8/31/99
ISSN 0731-3527