As part of a yearlong service-learning project students from Pioneer Middle School in Plymouth, Michigan in collaboration with nationally renowned author Todd Parr, of The Peace Book, will be traveling to New York City on April 3, 2009 to promote peace.

“I can help you” are words that resonate with librarians and library users alike. However, it’s the words “yo te puedo ayudar” (“I can help you”) that are the focus of the En tu biblioteca Campaign.

Launched in September, the “en tu biblioteca” (“@ your library”) campaign was developed with Univision Radio and the ALA to reach out an encourage members of the Latino community to use their local library. The campaign communicates how libraries create opportunities for Latino adults and their children by providing trusted help from librarians and free public access to information

Rock For Reading (R4R) surely lived up to its name November 22, 2008 at the Concert For Literacy. Not only did co-headliners Steve Earle and Tom Morello, also known as The Nightwatchman, storm the Vic Theatre in Chicago with some righteous rock, but more than $25,000 was raised for reading. Earle sang his songs of love and loss with characteristic emotional intensity, while Morello's anthemic "One Man Revolution," among other pointed numbers, reminded the audience of the historic political event that had recently transpired. There was more than a note of optimism in the air, but these contemporary protest singers also acknowledged the enormous task that lies ahead. There is, in fact, much left to do in the struggle against injustice–and the fight for universal literacy. Still, though the message maybe serious, the messengers sure know how to have a goodtime and their freewheeling energy touched everyone in the room.

Last weekend, 11-year-old Oscar Youngquist of Racine, Wis. received a personalized tour of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. It was a once in a lifetime moment, and it was all made possible by a trip to the Racine Public Library.

On October 3, Step Up to the Plate spokesperson and Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, drew Youngquist’s name as the grand-prize winner.