I Love Libraries page | Listening Sessions
February 23, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Lisa Strand, 608-245-3640
strand@scls.lib.wi.us;
Nancy McClements, 608-262-8271
nmcclements@library.wisc.edu
Wisconsin Library Association Launches "I Love Libraries and I Vote"
Campaign
The Wisconsin Library Association
recently kicked off an election year campaign, "I Love Libraries and I
Vote," designed to encourage library users to vote and remind those running
for public office that many voters care deeply about libraries of all kinds.
The campaign kicked off February 3 at Library Legislative Day in Madison, and
buttons bearing the slogan were provided for all registrants.
WLA selected the theme for its campaign after a survey sponsored by the Wisconsin
Public Library Consortium showed that library users are more likely to vote
than non library users. The scientific survey, funded in part by the WLA Foundation,
determined that 80% of library users voted in the 2002 gubernatorial election
compared with 65% of nonusers. The survey, "Wisconsin
Library User (and Non-User): Outcomes of a Statewide Survey", conducted
by consultant Josh Morrill of Morrill
Solutions, had an error rate of +/- four percent.
According to Nancy McClements, president of the Wisconsin Library Association,
these results are meaningful, but not surprising. "One of the responsibilities
of a democratic society is to be well informed about candidates and issues and
to vote," she said. McClements continued, "WLA's campaign underscores
that the freedom to read and the freedom to vote are intertwined. America's
libraries are integral to both."
As part of the campaign, WLA will provide low-cost buttons and decals with the
campaign slogan for distribution to library supporters throughout the state.
Public libraries are also encouraged to become voter registration sites. In
addition, WLA is encouraging libraries of all kinds to host listening sessions
about library issues with legislators during the month of July. Resources about
the campaign will be available to download on the WLA website in early March.
An order form for buttons and decals is available now at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/lovlibs/.
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