Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
News Release
(Monday, April 14, 2014) - The Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County is calling attention to Rochester’s budding culture of reading with colorful READ posters of local elected officials and celebrities posing with their favorite book. The posters are part of a larger initiative to celebrate National Library Week (April 13 -19), World Book Night April 23 and summer reading programs all across New York State.
The Central Library windows on South Ave. and Broad Street, plus many street light fixtures near the Central Library campus are now sporting brightly colored banners reminding and encouraging local residents to pick up a book and “READ.” The library created the posters based on the American Library Association’s popular “READ” posters that feature celebrities, authors and role models that date back to the 1970’s.
The READ Poster campaign will also extend to other Monroe County libraries to coincide with the New York State Library’s annual summer program that brings children and families into local public libraries for reading and activities. Over 1.76 million New York children and teens participated in the State Library sponsored programs in 2013.
Studies show that library summer reading programs will raise student learning levels and help prevent learning losses during the summer months. The Rochester Public Library’s summer reading programs are a growing initiative that is always reaching out to include more children and families.
“We had been kicking around the idea of doing local read posters for a while,” said Library Director Patty Uttaro. She adds, “Since World Book Night is a week after National Library Week, the idea expanded to include that initiative, and to use posters of well-known local people to demonstrate that Rochester is continually building a strong culture of reading-- especially with our youth populations. What is more powerful than seeing well-known, successful people sharing their love of reading?”
In Celebration of National Library Week, the County of Monroe issued a proclamation on April 8 commending libraries for their work in the community.
Library Workers Day, celebrated April 15, will also a great time to stop by your local library and thank your neighbors who bring you library services. Uttaro says libraries want our community to know how important library services are to the quality of life for those who call Rochester and Monroe County home.
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For more information, contact Sally Snow, Assistant Director, MCLS at 428-8051.