Resources for Libraries Blog from March, 2012

Just a reminder!  Attend the annual Freedom of Information Day and the John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award ceremony in Minneapolis tomorrow!  The program will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012 at the Hennepin County Library -- Minneapolis Central, Pohlad Auditorium.  This event, sponsored by the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information (MNCOGI), is free and open to the public.  Award-winning journalist Amy Goodman will be the keynote speaker at the event.  Goodman is the host and executive producer of Democracy Now!, a daily, global, independent news hour airing on more than 1,000 public television and radio stations worldwide. She is also the author of four New York Times bestsellers.  Her latest book, Breaking the Sound Barrier, is about the power of independent journalism in the struggle for a better world.  A book signing will follow the awards ceremony and speech.

The John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award was established by MNCOGI in 1989 and is named for the retired senior vice-president and assistant publisher of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.  Finnegan is a life-long stalwart of open meetings, open records and the First Amendment.  Each year, the award honors a Minnesotan or Minnesota institution whose work demonstrates leadership and commitment to the power of information to effect change.  Click here for the event press release and for more information.

Freedom of Information Day (FOI) is an annual event on or near March 16, the birthday of James Madison, who is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution and as the foremost advocate for openness of government.  Want to celebrate in MN?  Attend the annual Freedom of Information Day and the John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award ceremony in Minneapolis!  The program will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012 at the Hennepin County Library -- Minneapolis Central, Pohlad Auditorium.  This event, sponsored by the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information (MNCOGI), is free and open to the public.  Award-winning journalist Amy Goodman will be the keynote speaker at the event.  Goodman is the host and executive producer of Democracy Now!, a daily, global, independent news hour airing on more than 1,000 public television and radio stations worldwide. She is also the author of four New York Times bestsellers.  Her latest book, Breaking the Sound Barrier, is about the power of independent journalism in the struggle for a better world.  A book signing will follow the awards ceremony and speech.

The John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award was established by MNCOGI in 1989 and is named for the retired senior vice-president and assistant publisher of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.  Finnegan is a life-long stalwart of open meetings, open records and the First Amendment.  Each year, the award honors a Minnesotan or Minnesota institution whose work demonstrates leadership and commitment to the power of information to effect change.  Click here for the event press release and for more information.

Greetings!  Today is National Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday!   Today, make sure to pull out your favorite Dr. Seuss books and read them with special people in your life.  Click here for activity ideas and videos of stars like Zac Efron and Danny DeVito promoting this event.  Also, click here to visit The Lorax Project site in an effort to help protect the forests and endangered species of our planet.

Read Across America Poem (from the National Education Association's webpage)

You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You're never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you've got.

In schools and communities,
Let's gather around,
Let's pick up a book,
Let's pass it around.

There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.

Come join us March 2nd
Your own special way
And make this America's
Read to Kids Day.