H.W. Wilson Foundation Pledges $50,000 to Support New ALA Cultural Communities Fund

New York, New York, September 9, 2005
H.W. Wilson has announced that it will grant $50,000 to the American Library Association's Public Programs Office (PPO), in support of its new Cultural Communities Fund. A first-of-its-kind endowment program, the Cultural Communities Fund will help libraries of all types develop and host programs in the arts and humanities, serving diverse communities nationwide.

"We're proud to help sponsor this new initiative," said William Stanton, President of The H.W. Wilson Foundation. "ALA's venerable track record of innovation and dedication to the advancement of library programs makes the new Cultural Communities Fund a natural for our support. With the right backing, cultural programs can do a great job of bringing communities together."

For 15 years, the ALA Public Programs Office has produced such projects as traveling exhibitions, literary and arts discussions and performances, and humanities programs highlighting books, film, poetry, and current issues. Now, its new Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee, with members representing a variety of public and academic libraries vested in cultural programming, is spearheading fundraising for the Cultural Communities Fund, with a goal of raising $5 million by 2010.

The Cultural Communities Fund will provide libraries with a source of guidance and financial support that will help them respond to changing needs and achieve high quality in their cultural programs: historical and art exhibits, book and film discussion groups, author events and more. Plans include training and continuing education for librarians, model programs and programming grants.