Unique 'Gaming for Learning' Project to Develop Metrics and Models for Libraries ANAHEIM, Calif., June 28
ANAHEIM, Calif., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Library Association
(ALA) will launch an innovative project to track and measure the impact of
gaming on literacy skills and build a model for library gaming that can be
deployed nationally. Funding for the project will be provided by a $1 million
grant from the Verizon Foundation.
The announcement will take place today at the American Library Association
Annual Conference here.
"Gaming is a magnet that attracts library users of all types and, beyond
its entertainment value, has proven to be a powerful tool for literacy and
learning," said ALA President Loriene Roy. "Through the Verizon Foundation's
gift, ALA's gaming for learning project will provide the library community
with vital information and resources that will model and help sustain
effective gaming programs and services."
As part of the grant, the American Library Association will work directly
with 12 leading gaming experts to document the use of gaming as a literacy
tool and monitor the results of gaming initiatives. The information will be
used to build The Librarians' Guide to Gaming, a comprehensive, online
literacy and gaming toolbox that will then be field-tested by additional
libraries.
The experts creating the best practices during the initial phase are from
the following libraries: Ann Arbor District Library, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Public
Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, N.C.; Columbus
Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio; Georgetown County Library, Georgetown,
S.C.; Minneapolis Public Library, Minneapolis, Minn.; Old Bridge Public
Library, Fords, N.J.; Pima County Public Library, Tucson, Ariz.; Reidland High
School, Paducah, Ky.; School Library System of Genesee Valley BOCES, Le Roy,
N.Y.; The New York Public Library, New York; Todd Wehr Library, De Pere, Wis.;
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Ill.
"In today's technology-driven world, where learning does not stop at the
classroom, the role of libraries in supporting literacy and learning is more
critical than ever before," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston.
"Gaming for learning presents a tremendous opportunity for libraries to
further literacy skills in children as well as adults."
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications,
supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature
program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic
violence. In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants
to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also
matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting
in $25.1 million in combined contributions. Through Verizon Volunteers, one
of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and
retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since
Verizon's inception in 2000.
For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.
The ALA Annual Conference is the largest library gathering in the world,
with more than 2,000 meetings, discussion groups, special events, tours and
programs on various topics affecting libraries and librarians. For more
information on the conference, visit www.ala.org/annual.
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library
association in the world, with more than 65,000 members. Its mission is to
promote the highest quality library and information services and public access
to information. For more information on the American Library Association
please visit www.ala.org.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a
leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication
innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.
Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving
more than 67 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations
include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business
solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings
customers the benefits of converged communications, information and
entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A
Dow 30 company, Verizon employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000
as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated
operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit
www.verizon.com.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches
and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other
information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at
www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News
Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news
releases.
SOURCE Verizon
