Dwayne Brown<br />Headquarters, Washington July 1, 2003<br />(Phone: 202/358-1726)<br /><br /><br />Larra Clark<br />American Library Association, Chicago<br />(Phone: 312/280-5043)<br /><br /><br />RELEASE: 03-225<br /><br /><br />NATION'S LIBRARIES BRING SPACE RESEARCH DOWN TO EARTH<br /><br /><br /> Your local library is making room for Space.<br /><br /><br />NASA and the American Library Association (ALA) have <br />partnered to create a one-of-a-kind interactive space <br />research exhibit as part of a new program called NASA @ your <br />library. The program launched today at the Enoch Pratt Free <br />Library in Baltimore. <br /><br /><br />NASA @ your library was created to inspire more participation <br />at public libraries, raise awareness and encourage interest <br />in science. The unique exhibit will tour 120 public libraries <br />in five regions across the nation for the next two years. It <br />will feature special presentations specifically created to <br />expose people of all ages to NASA research in the areas of <br />health, home and transportation, agriculture and environment, <br />and commerce. <br /><br /><br />"Space research plays an integral role in our daily lives. It <br />affects many things around us from the foods we eat to <br />everyday household products we use. This exhibit will educate <br />everyone on the importance and opportunities in space <br />research," said Mary Kicza, <br />Associate Administrator for NASA's Office of Biological and <br />Physical Research, Washington. <br /><br /><br />The five libraries representing each region of the tour that <br />will host the exhibit in its first month include the Enoch <br />Pratt Free Library, Baltimore; Johnson County Library, <br />Overland Park, Kan.; Lakewood Library, Tacoma, Wash.; <br />Northwest Reno Library, Reno, Nev.; and Spartanburg County <br />Public Libraries, Spartanburg, S.C. <br /><br /><br />The exhibit is self-contained and complete with six desktop <br />computers and workspace. The main interactive exhibit <br />includes topics on Space Shuttle operations, living, working <br />and conducting space research on board the International <br />Space Station, and information on future aerospace <br />activities. Apple Computer, Inc. is contributing 36 new "Way <br />Cool Flat Screen" computers to the exhibit and funding the <br />movement of the exhibit throughout the U.S.<br /><br /><br />NASA @ your library is part of The Campaign for America's <br />Libraries, a multi-year public education effort sponsored by <br />the ALA to speak loudly and clearly about the value of <br />libraries and librarians in the 21st century. The campaign is <br />designed to showcase the unique and vital role played by <br />public, school, academic and special libraries across the <br />United States. NASA is the latest founding partner in the <br />campaign. Invitations to participate in the program were sent <br />to over 16,000 public libraries throughout the U.S. Libraries <br />are being selected to participate in the tour based on <br />criteria established by the ALA. <br /><br /><br />"The NASA @ your library program is a wonderful example of <br />how libraries have become modern community centers for <br />information, education and entertainment," added ALA <br />President Carla Hayden, executive director of the Enoch Pratt <br />Free Library. "With this new partnership, ALA is also able to <br />further spread the message that libraries play a critical <br />role in making information accessible to all people, <br />regardless of age, race, income or background."<br /><br /><br />As part of the program, libraries will be given a stipend to <br />enhance their book/electronic resources and collections, and <br />will host various social and academic activities of their <br />choice. ALA, to engender interest in International Space <br />Station research through reading lists, information on <br />careers, and other space-related activities, also has created <br />a new web site. You can find the information on the Internet <br />at:<br /><br /><br />www.ala.org/nasa<br /><br /><br />www.ala.org/alsc<br /><br /><br />www.ala.org/@yourlibrary<br /><br /><br />Additional information about NASA can be found on the <br />Internet at:<br /><br /><br />www.nasa.gov