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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2006
Contact:
, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442
Statewide Award Granted to the Austin Public Library for
“Second Chance Books:Gardner-Betts Outreach Program”
Austin, Texas—During the Texas Library Association (TLA) annual conference yesterday morning, the Austin Public Library received the TLA 2005 Project of the Year Award. This award, one of the most prestigious granted by TLA, recognizes projects that best exemplify the highest levels of achievement in Texas libraries over the past year and that result in improved library services for communities. The award was granted for the youth outreach program at the juvenile justice center, Gardner-Betts, “Second Chance Books” which brings literature to incarcerated youth.
Second Chance Books is an award-winning collaboration between the Austin Public Library and the Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Center. The collaboration began in 2003 and has become an invaluable resource to the incarcerated youth at Gardner Betts. Through the work of Gardner Betts teachers and Austin Public Library librarians, incarcerated youth are provided with books that they would like to read either for pleasure, personal growth, or both. The goal of the Second Chance Books Project is to create lifelong learners by providing opportunities for incarcerated youth to read, by encouraging discussion about what they have read, and by allowing them to relate to adult professionals within the context of book discussions and appreciation for literature. In fact, the kids who have spent the most days at Gardner-Betts have become the most enthusiastic readers. “Our hope is that many of the children we meet at Gardner Betts will develop a lifelong reading habit,” says Devo Carpenter, Youth Specialist at Austin Public Library.
The program has been awarded several grants and awards since its inception in 2003. In 2005 the program was honored with the Hotho Literacy Award which recognizes the Texas library that has worked the hardest during the year to encourage and support the joy and benefits of reading. Additionally, in October 2005 the program was recognized on the Oprah Winfrey Show as a national model project for literacy when she announced a $50,000 book club award as part of ALA/YALSA (American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association). In 2003, the Tocker Foundation awarded the program a grant which recognizes libraries that make library services accessible to others that are unable to receive the benefits of public libraries.
For additional information about this program and others visit www.cityofaustin.org/library or call 974-7400.
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