Washington, DC - The United States National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) announced today that 45 libraries in twenty-one states have been designated as official participants in Sister Libraries: A White House Millennium Project. The goal of the project is for public and school libraries in the United States to pair with others worldwide. Initially focusing on programs specifically planned for children and teenagers, the project has been expanded to include all types of libraries. Participating libraries will create opportunities for people around the world to communicate with one another and share information about their lives and cultures.

Some of the exciting plans proposed by the newly designated sights include:

Glendale Public Library, Glendale, Arizona will host bilingual book discussion groups aimed at 8-12 year olds, craft projects for preschoolers, and parent and child discussion groups. Glendale has a Sister City relationship with libraries in Delicias, Mexico and Memmingen, Germany.

Working with the City Councilman from Craigovan, Ireland, Troup-Harris-Coweta Regional Library, LaGrange, Georgia will link their library home pages. Each will post pictures and information and the children's librarian from LaGrange will integrate stories about Ireland in her storytelling. The libraries plan to facilitate an exchange of experiences among staff at both locations.

Using recently installed video cameras on computer workstations, youth and adults at Jeffersonville Township Public Library, Clarksville, Indiana, will be able to see one another, when communicating electronically. This communication can be used for electronic pen pals, virtual book discussions and the exchange of local authors or favorite authors. Clarksville is in the process of partnering with Bewdley or Melton Mowbray, England

Beekman Library, Poughuog, New York "has long been a center of interest to the Irish-American community." They plan to share ideas and culture among the children of both Ireland and the U.S. by starting a "Sister" club. The children will e-mail counterparts and talk about their respective life styles. Adults will be encouraged to join by way of book discussion meetings with Irish literature as a topic. A local author who was born in Ireland will be invited to speak.

Appalachian State University, Reich College of Education, Library Science Program, Boone, North Carolina has established a relationship with T'uruchapitas Library in Cochabamba, Bolivia which was founded by Gaby Vallejo, noted author of Bolivia, and 20 other children's authors. "The library at Reich College has approached publishers and has collected 375 new books in Spanish for the library and students from the University will hand carry the books to Bolivia." The college is attempting to model global responsibility and feel that by connecting with this library that they are making an important beginning.

Horry County Memorial Library, Conway, South Carolina plans to promote partnership programs featuring multicultural storytelling, crafts, and celebrations. Children will write letters and create artwork describing Horry County and their lives, including their library activities. "Each branch will contribute an item depicting their community to be included in a culture capsule and exchanged with their sister library. Book selections will be shared between libraries and librarians. A special section of the library's web page will be dedicated to these activities with links to the other libraries. They will be matched with Mexico or Spain.

"NCLIS is delighted to welcome the newly designated Sister Libraries. Their proposed programs will do much to encourage multicultural exchange and broaden international understanding," said Chairperson Martha Gould. "Our current Sister Libraries are enriching our children's lives and the new participants, with their enthusiasm and creativity, will ensure that we continue these worthwhile activities."

One hundred forty-three libraries in 39 states and the District of Columbia have been designated by the Commission since June 1999. Anyone seeking information about Sister Libraries: A White House Millennium Council Project can contact NCLIS at 1110 Vermont Avenue, Suite 820, Washington, DC 20005, call 202-606-9200, or send an e-mail message to SisterLibraries@nclis.gov. The Sister Libraries website address is www.nclis.gov/millennium/millenn.html

The White House Millennium Council is a presidential initiative to help communities welcome the millennium by honoring the past and imagining the future. Sister Libraries is the official White House Millennium Council Project of the United States National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Libraries selected as Sister Libraries receive official designation as a White House Millennium Council site. Participants will be honored at the Sister Cities International annual conference in Denver, Colorado and the American Library Association annual conference in Chicago, Illinois.

Alabama
St. Clair County High School, Odenville
Rockwell Elementary School Library, Spanish Fort

Arizona
Glendale Public Library, Glendale
Tucson-Pima Public Library, Tucson

California
Claremont High School, Claremont
Oxnard Public Library, Oxnard
Capistrano Unified School District, San Juan Capistrano
Santa Clara City Library, Santa Clara
John F. Kennedy Public Library, Vallejo

Delaware
F. Neil Postlewait Middle School, Camden

Florida
Pasco County Library System. Hudson
Oldsmar Public Library, Oldsmar

Georgia
Ida Hilton Public Library, Darien
Troup-Harris-Coweta Regional Library, LaGrange

Idaho
Idaho Falls Public Library, Idaho Falls

Illinois
Tinley Park Public Library, Tinley Park

Indiana
Jeffersonville Township Public Library, Clarksville
Covington Elementary Library, Covington

Massachusetts
Capt. W.G. Shoemaker Library Media Center, Lynn
Wilbraham Public Library, Wilbraham

Michigan
Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids
Cromaine District Library, Hartland

Minnesota
Minneapolis Public Library, Minneapolis

New Jersey
Fairview Free Public Library, Fairview
Ho-Ho-Kus School Library Media Center, Ho-Ho-Kus

Rockaway Borough Free Public Library, Rockaway

New York
Albany Public Library, Albany
Holland High School/District Library, Holland
Beekman Library, Poughquag
Henry W. Longfellow School Library, Rochester

North Carolina
Appalachian State University, Reich College of Education, Library Science Program, Boone
E. Lawson Brown Middle School, Lexington
Natahala Regional Library, Murphy

Ohio
Ashland Public Library, Ashland
Carrollton Exempted Village School District, Carrollton
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Whittier Elementary School, Cincinnati
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Stow
Milton-Union Public Library, West Milton

Pennsylvania
Springfield Township High School, Rydal

South Carolina
Horry County Memorial Library, Conway
Darlington County Library System, Darlington

Texas
Sterling Municipal Library, Baytown

Utah
Park City Public Library, Park City

Wisconsin
Manitowoc Public Library, Manitowoc

The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science is a permanent, independent agency of the Federal government charged by Public Law 91-345 to appraise the adequacies and deficiencies of current library and information resources and services and to advise the President and Congress on national and international policies and pl