This spring, the McAlester Public Library, the American Library Association (ALA) and Woman’s Day magazine want to know how you have used resources and services at the library during this tough economic time.
From now until May 18, women over the age of 18 can submit their story in 700 words or less to womansday@ala.org. Four stories will be featured in the March 2010 issue of Woman’s Day, which has more than 4 million readers. Official rules are available on the Woman’s Day Web site at womansday.com/ala.
“The public library plays an important role as Americans face tough economic times, whether that means providing free Internet access, assistance in finding a job and of course, the lending of books, CDs and DVDs.” said Head Librarian Christine Sauro.
For information on free resources at McAlester Public Library, visit www.mcalesterlibrary.net.
The initiative was developing by Woman’s Day and the ALA’s Campaign for America’s Libraries. The Campaign for America’s Libraries (ala.org/@yourlibrary), ALA’s public awareness campaign, promotes the value of libraries and librarians.
McAlester Public Library is located at 401 N. 2nd, at the intersection of 2nd and Adams Streets. Parking is available in the main lot off Adams Street, with additional parking on the lower level off 2nd Street. The phone number is 918-426-0930, toll-free within Pittsburg County at 1-800-215-6494. The library is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
This latest initiative continues an eight-year partnership between the magazine and ALA’s Campaign for America’s Libraries that has generated millions of dollars worth of editorial coverage for libraries. Since 2002, Woman’s Day has asked its readers to write in about “how the library has changed my life,” “why I would want to be a librarian for a day,” and “how I started my business at the library.”
The March 2009 article features four readers who used the library to improve their health and wellness. Featured are a wife who turned to the library for solace during her husband’s illness, a new mom who sought answers about postpartum depression at the library, a retiree who learned how to find trusted medical resources at a free library class and a reader who rediscovered books through the Library of Congress’ Talking Books program after she lost her sight.
Woman’s Day magazine is a partner in the Campaign for America’s Libraries. Other partners include Carnegie Corporation of New York, Dollar General, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the International Federal of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Univision Radio and Verizon.
McBook 