For The News Courier
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Athens-Limestone Public Library recently won a 2012 Best of Show award in a competition sponsored by the public relations and marketing section of the Library Administration and Management Association.
The library was honored for its “At Your Doorstep” marketing campaign, which included TV commercials, print and web advertisements in The News Courier, flyers, and advertising banners that are seen around Limestone County.
“We are pleased and excited about receiving national recognition for our work,” said Library Director Paula Laurita. “The program was funded by a Library Services and Technology Act grant. We have been able to build great partnerships with local businesses that hang one of our banners for a month.”
The banners promote the library’s service to homebound patrons. Laurita will accept the award at the American Library Association’s national conference.
The awards recognize excellence in 11 categories, including reading club materials, annual reports, newsletters and Web pages, among other categories. A panel of public relations and library experts evaluated hundreds of entries from across the United States. They were judged on content, originality, design, format and effectiveness.
Fundraising ongoing
The library has also been raising funds for a new facility to be located in the former Kroger building on Jefferson Street. The library foundation is trying to raise $750,000 by year’s end in order to receive a $1 million Dekko Foundation Challenge grant. The group raised $250,000 last year.
The total remaining to meet the pledge is $399,698. It will be added to other funds pledged by the city of Athens, Limestone County and the library’s board of directors to renovate and furnish the building, which is expected to cost about $6 million.
An upcoming fundraiser for the library is its inaugural Storybook Ball. Tickets are on sale for the event, where adults and children can dine with their favorite book characters from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the Limestone County Event Center. Tickets are $20 per adult, $15 per child (under 3 free), and available at the Athens-Limestone Public Library, at www.alcpl.org and 256-232-1233.
