In celebration of National Library Week (April 10-16), the School of Information Sciences sponsored two Read Outs and a book sale fundraiser. All proceeds from the read out benefited Read! 365, a non-profit organization that promotes literacy. The read outs featured members of the University community reading excerpts from their favorite books, poems, and personal works.

What do Thomas Jefferson, Shakespeare, Library Lil, Ferdinand the Bull, Mudville and Tawdry Cowboys have in common? They were all a part of the University Pittsburgh, School of Information Sciences’s celebration of National Library Week. Spearheaded by the Library and Information Sciences graduate Public Relations and Marketing class, a variety of activities were planned over the last three months to celebrate and create awareness of National Library Week.

Members of the School of Information Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh gathered to listen to excerpts of passages of favorite books at Read Outs across campus. A four-hour readout took place in the Information Sciences Library in the School of Information Sciences building and featured students and faculty reading excerpts of their favorite books, poetry, and personal works. The readers were lead by Ronald Larsen, Dean of the School of Information Sciences, and included many faculty members and LIS Graduate Students.

At Hillman Library another read out took place in the Lozano Room on April 11 th from noon until 3p.m. Amy Knapp, the Coordinator of Library Instruction for the University Library System welcomed participants before turning over the spotlight to the readers. Readers at the event included members of the Native American Student Organization, LIS Graduate students, and University Faculty members from the History and English Departments as well as Library Staff.

Harlequin Romance Novels and literary reference materials stood side by side on April 14th, at the Book Sale in honor of National Library week. The book sale took place in the School of Information Sciences building with all proceeds going to Read!365, a public awareness and action campaign for early childhood literacy. Books and other media were donated during the months of March and April by faculty and students of the University of Pittsburgh. The sale was cosponsored by the Student Chapter of the American Library Association (SCALA) at the University of Pittsburgh.

Members of the Marketing Class also attempted to get local ABC affiliated stations in Altoona/Johnstown, Pittsburgh, Erie, Cleveland, and Youngstown to air public service announcements created by the American Library Association (ALA) as part of the Campaign for America’s Libraries. Each member sent a letter encouraging the local ABC affiliated stations to air the public service announcements during National Library Week; promotional and informational materials obtained from the local public libraries of the ABC affiliated station cities were included with each letter.

ACLA (Allegheny County Library Association) class members from Baldwin Borough, Braddock, Moon Township, and Sewickley Public Libraries celebrated National Library Week with the ALA them of “Something for Everyone @ your library.” Programs for Children and students included story times, puppet shows, American Girl parties, a middle school Battle of the Books, and teen movie nights. Book discussion groups, cooking demonstrations, knitting demonstrations, and a variety of programs on topics from eBay to southern folklore were offered for adults.

	"There's no place like home"--Ron Larson, Dean of the School of Information Sciences reads from "home", a memory book created by his three children. The School of Information Sciences faculty, staff, and students participated in the first annual read out in celebration of National Library Week, April 10-16, 2005. Some readings were serious, some funny, and some heartfelt, but all in attendance agreed they were captivating. The read out at the Information Sciences Library, was a student initiative of the Marketing for Libraries graduate class offered by the Department of Library Science. Photo by Emily L. Forwood
	"Bikers for Libraries" -- Dr. Margaret Kimmel, Chair of Department of Library and Information Science, shares the story of "Library Lil"--a librarian who turned a whole town and a motorcycle gang into avid readers. Photo by Emily L. Forwood
	"1-2-3 Strikes...Read Out!"--Dr. Richard Thompson, Director of the Telecommunications program, articulates his reading of "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Lawrence Thayer at the Information Sciences Library read out on Monday, April 11, 2005. The School of Information Sciences faculty, staff, and students participated in the first annual read out in celebration of National Library Week, April 10-16, 2005. Some readings were serious, some funny, and some heartfelt, but all in attendance agreed they were captivating. The read out at the Information Sciences Library, was a student initiative of the Marketing for Libraries graduate class offered by the Department of Library Science. Photo by Emily L. Forwood
	"Captive Audience"-- Crystal McCormick Ware, Director of Diversity Initiatives for the School of Information Sciences and the University Library System reads from "Brothers and Sisters" by Bebe Moore Campbell. The School of Information Sciences faculty, staff, and students participated in the first annual read out in celebration of National Library Week, April 10-16, 2005. Some readings were serious, some funny, and some heartfelt, but all in attendance agreed they were captivating. The read out at Hillman Library, was a student initiative of the Marketing for Libraries graduate class offered by the Department of Library Science. Photo by Emily L. Forwood
	"Book Deal Gone Good"--Students browse book titles the School of Information Sciences Book Fair in the Information Sciences Building on April 14, 2005. All proceeds will benefit Read! 365, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy. The book sale was a student initiative of the Marketing for Libraries graduate class offered by the Department of Library Science. Photo by Emily L. Forwood