Obama Calls on Libraries to Promote United We Serve
RSSBy SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 06/24/2009
Libraries across the country are encouraged to take part in United We Serve, a national campaign launched by President Obama to get more Americans involved in community volunteerism this summer.
The American Library Association (ALA) and the White House are encouraging libraries to post volunteer opportunities at www.serve.gov. As the initiative develops, ALA will make available resources to assist libraries in conducting volunteer efforts.
“In today's economic climate, libraries face increasing challenges in carrying out their mission to provide opportunities for lifelong learning,” says ALA President Jim Rettig. “In an era when demand for library services is increasing but funding for them is declining, volunteers play an important role in supplementing the high-quality service library staff provide.”
One area where volunteers will prove especially valuable is with summer reading programs, which help kids avoid the “summer slide,” the decline in reading skills that sometimes occurs during the long break from school.
Research shows that children who participate in summer library reading programs demonstrate better vocabulary skills and increased comprehension and are better equipped to continue their education in the fall when they return to school,
"This summer, I'm calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation," says Obama. "Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing in your communities as what we're doing in Washington–and it's going to take all of us, working together."
United We Serve kicks off on June 22 and runs through September 11, which will be marked for the first time as a national day of service and remembrance.
The initiative focuses on four key areas: education, health, energy and the environment; and community renewal. It is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities though volunteering and service.
Visit www.ala.org/unitedweserve for more information.
