H.W. Wilson Gives $100,000 to New Orleans Public Library
Cash Gift Plus WilsonWeb Database Access, in Support of the New Orleans Community

New York, New York, June 20, 2006
The H.W. Wilson Foundation today announced a $100,000 donation to the main branch of the New Orleans Public Library System. A check will be presented to representatives of the New Orleans Public Library System on June 23, during the American Library Association Annual Conference in New Orleans.

"We are so pleased to make this donation to improve conditions at the New Orleans Public Library," said William Stanton, President of the H.W. Wilson Foundation. "It is our hope that, after these changes are made, the people of New Orleans will be able to gather in a terrific public space to enjoy public programming, access to the world of electronic information, and all the other resources the library has to offer. Through our support, we hope to help the New Orleans library in their ongoing efforts to build and strengthen community, turning adversity into a net gain."

Additionally, The H.W. Wilson Company is pleased to grant free trial access to 28 WilsonWeb databases to the New Orleans Public Library System until July 2007. (See list below.)

"We know that New Orleans libraries, in the spirit of rebuilding, will aim to bring their collections to the leading edge," said Harold Regan, H.W. Wilson President and CEO. "We're glad to help make that easier, with a whole suite of WilsonWeb resources that will bring both the on-site library and the virtual library that residents access from their homes up to top standards of range and quality."

"Because of the generosity of H.W. Wilson, the people of New Orleans will be able to gather at a greatly improved central library," said Bill Johnson, City Librarian for the New Orleans Public Library. "This donation will allow us to replace moldy carpeting in our community meeting spaces, upgrade furniture that is more than 40 years old, and rebuild our circulation areas to best serve our public. These changes, coupled with access to Wilson's electronic databases, will make a huge difference."

In November 2005, The H.W. Wilson Foundation also contributed $50,000 to the American Library Association's Hurricane Katrina Library Relief Fund. To make a tax-deductible donation to the ALA Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, or learn more about relief efforts, visit www.ala.org/katrina.

WilsonWeb Databases Granted to the New Orleans Public Library System
Applied Science & Technology Full Text
Art Full Text
Art Museum Image Gallery
Biography Reference Bank
Biological & Agricultural Index Plus
Book Review Digest Plus
(Wilson) Business Full Text
Children's Catalog
Current Biography Illustrated
Current Issues: Reference Shelf Plus
Education Full Text
Famous First Facts
Fiction Catalog
General Science Full Text
Humanities Full Text
Index to Legal Periodicals Full Text
Junior Authors & Illustrators
Library Literature & Information Science Full Text
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog
OmniFile Full Text, Mega Edition
Play Index
Public Library Catalog
Readers' Guide Full Text, Mega Edition
Readers' Guide Retrospective: 1890-1982
Science Full Text, Select Edition
Senior High School Library Catalog
Short Story Index
Social Sciences Full Text

About New Orleans Public Library
The New Orleans Public Library system is facing the greatest challenge in its 110-year history. Eight of 13 library sites were ruined by Hurricane Katrina and the levees failures; loss of tax revenues forced an initial layoff of 90% of library staff. The Main Library and four branches are operating on a limited schedule; 20% of the staff are now back to operate almost 40% of its sites. Total damage is estimated at $26-$30 million. With help from the U.S. library community, two branches will be renovated during the American Library Association Conference (June 22-28) and two modular libraries and two bookmobiles are being added to the system.

New Orleans Public Library continues to seek $6 to $10 million to rebuild facilities incorporating the latest technology as it creates a model urban library for the 21st century.