FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2003

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

DRAKE TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK, APRIL 6-12

Drake University will celebrate the opportunities for education, information and entertainment available at its libraries during National Library Week, April 6-12.

National Library Week 2003 marks the third year of The Campaign for America's Libraries, a public education campaign sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country. Their goal is to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century.

Drake's National Library Week activities include a celebration of the Law Library's 10th anniversary in Opperman Hall, 26th Street and Carpenter Avenue. It will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 in the Law Library. The public is invited to stop by for food, tours and a look at the history of the library.

"We're very excited to celebrate 10 years in Opperman Hall," said John Edwards, director of Drake's Law Library. "Our celebration will feature displays illustrating the changes in the library throughout the last decade, especially the contrast between the old card catalogues and our new electronic resources."

The Law Library also will hold "The Opperman Open: Putting for Prizes," during the week of April 6-12. Each person who "tees up" at the library's putting green will receive a raffle ticket for a variety of prizes, and a hole-in-one earns two additional raffle tickets. The putting green will be available at select times throughout the week. No registration is necessary.

At Cowles Library, 28th Street and University Avenue, approximately 60 Drake students will share the joy of reading with students from King Elementary School on Friday, April 11. The elementary students, along with teachers and parent volunteers, will walk to Cowles Library to hear books read aloud by Drake students. The readings will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

As an additional part of National Library Week, the Drake libraries are encouraging students, faculty and staff to read a selection of Michael Beschloss' most recent book-"The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945." The selection highlights some of Roosevelt's difficult decisions during World War II. Beschloss, a renowned presidential historian, will give the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture at 7:30 p.m. on April 15 in the Drake Knapp Center, 26th Street and Forest Avenue. His lecture is titled "Democracy in a Time of Crisis."