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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2007
Contact:
, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442
Friends of the Austin Public Library and “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me” panelist, comedian/author PAULA POUNDSTONE join forces to raise funds.
“Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me” panelist, PAULA POUNDSTONE is not only bringing her comedy act to Austin’s One World Theatre, but an opportunity to raise funds for Austin Public Library. Poundstone has recently become the national spokesperson for FOLUSA (Friends of Libraries USA), of which the Friends of the Austin Public Library is a member. Both organizations work to provide advocacy and financial support for library programs and special projects.
"We're thrilled that Paula Poundstone is using her celebrity to help highlight and support Friends of the Library groups,” said Sally Reed, Executive Director of FOLUSA. “These volunteer citizen organizations work hard throughout the year to raise money for and public awareness about their libraries. America’s Libraries would be immeasurably poorer without them."
A percentage of the proceeds from ticket and book sales from Poundstone’s performances at One World Theatre will be donated to the Friends of Austin Public Library. Poundstone will also make herself available for signing after the shows.
“It’s funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women,” said Poundstone. “The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed. If you haven’t been to your library lately, you’re over-due. I’m honored to be able to help support them.”
“During this exciting time in the history of the Austin Public Library, the Friends are proud to be able to sponsor the creative and stimulating programming that has earned our library national acclaim. Our plan is to grow our Friends membership, and to continue the support for our Texas Star, the Austin Public Library. After all, great cities have great libraries,” said Tina Dacus, President of the Friends of Austin Public Library.
Poundstone, an EMMY-Award winning comic, is a regular panelist on NPR’s popular weekly news quiz program, “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me.” She was the first woman to be invited to perform at the prestigious White House Press Correspondents dinner, and the first woman to receive an American Comedy Award for best standup comedy special. Poundstone is also an author, who’s first book, There is Nothing in this Book that I Meant to Say, was published by Harmony Books, a division of Random House. She has starred in several HBO comedy specials, and made frequent appearances on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” David Letterman and Jay Leno. Her newest standup comedy special, Look What The Cat Dragged In, aired on BRAVO.
- Performance date:
August 31, 2007
- Locations:
One World Theater-7701 Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX (512) 330-9500
- Performance times:
Two Shows at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
- Tickets:
$26-$66 for single tickets, available at www.frontgatetickets.com
Web sites: www.austinlibrary.org; www.oneworldtheatre.org ; www.paulapoundstone.com
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