April 16, 2000 New Web Site for Kids and Families to Debut from Library of Congress

WHAT:
"America's Library" (www.americaslibrary.gov), a new Web site designed for kids and their families, will go live during this press preview. The Web site will be supported by a public service advertising campaign, the first in the Library's history. The television ads will be unveiled during this event.

WHEN:
Monday, April 24, 11 a.m.

WHERE:
Visitors' Orientation Theater, ground floor, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E.

WHO:
James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress
Peggy Conlon, President and CEO, The Advertising Council

BACKGROUND

The Library of Congress, in cooperation with the nonprofit Advertising Council, is launching on April 24 a Web site specifically designed to bring the riches of the nation's library to children and their families. Called "America's Library," this site was created to provide kids with an entertaining educational experience that draws on the unparalleled American historical collections of the Library.

Through the use of stories, richly embellished with photographs, maps, prints, manuscripts, and audio and video recordings from the Library's collections, "America's Library" invites users to learn about our past through extraordinary, at times idiosyncratic, materials, many of which have never been seen by the public. Interactive elements such as a "Scavenger Hunt" and "Send a Postcard" will encourage exploration of the site, and animated "teasers" on the main home page will delight users of all ages. Questions invite children to talk to their family and friends about what they have learned. Bold graphics and bright colors will entice users to "Log On. Play Around. Learn Something" -- the theme of the advertising campaign created and donated by DDB Chicago, in partnership with The Ad Council. The advertisements also note that "There Is a Better Way to Have Fun with History" and will be seen on television, radio and Web sites.

Also on hand for questions from the media will be Priscilla Brindley, Management Representative, DDB Chicago, creators of the "America's Library" advertising campaign; and Grace Stanat, President of 415 Productions Inc., which is the Web site's designer, and other representatives from 415.

The content of the Web site has been reviewed by historians in the Library of Congress as well as by Distinguished University Professor of American History James B. Gilbert at the University of Maryland.

"America's Library" is a project of the Library of Congress's Public Affairs Office and the National Digital Library Program.