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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11.2005
Contact:
, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442
Austin Public Library Wins Top Literacy
Award by the Texas Library Association
During the Texas Library Association (TLA) conference in April 2005 the Austin Public Library was recognized with the association's top literacy award, the Hotho Literacy award. The Hotho Literacy Award was established to recognize the Texas library which has worked the hardest during the year to encourage and support the joy and benefits of reading. Austin Public Library’s Youth Services team was recognized for their innovative “Second Chance Books” program which brings literature to incarcerated kids at the Gardner-Betts Juvenile Justice Center. The Center is a short-term residential facility for youth who have been arrested or removed from their homes by court order because of misconduct on their part. Through the project, young people who are in trouble—who need a second chance—are provided with opportunities to read for pleasure and to learn about library resources. The project includes the establishment of an on-site depository collection of high interest, popular books at the juvenile center, bi-weekly book talks, registering incarcerated kids for free library cards, and providing special programs with special guest like authors, storytellers, and artists to encourage positive and appropriate recreational interests. Visiting young adult authors have included Walter Dean Myers and William Sleator.
The Second Chance Books project encourages the kids to improve their reading skills, learn to enjoy reading for pleasure, and to learn about available options through library services, and library resources that can help them do better in school and stay out of trouble. Laura Rodriguez, case manager at Gardner-Betts, says, “Our kids are able to ‘escape’ while being detained, by becoming engrossed in a story.” “Some of our kids read three to five books during the average stay of nine days.”
The percentage of kids who said they would never use a library fell from 32 to 15 percent after they were exposed to the program. Some 85 percent said they liked, really enjoyed, or loved reading. This annual award of $1000 was presented to the Austin Public Library at the TLA Conference in April 2005. The award funds will be used to further enhance the program at Gardner Betts.
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