FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:  Heather O'Connell
                          (239) 461-2924
                          hoconnell@leegov.com

Photos available upon request.

Library’s Programs and Resources Go Outdoors for the Day

FORT MYERS, Fla., March 3, 2004 – Lee County Library System and the Foundation for the Lee County Library System present the Fifth Annual Lee County Reading Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2004.  This free festival takes place in Centennial Park, along the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers, Florida, and features activities for readers of all ages.  Best-selling authors will be on hand for talks and book signings.  Other typical library programs will also be featured, including historical presentations, a seminar on the ancient art of Feng Shui, music, dance, storytelling, puppet shows, and more.  Every child attending the festival receives a free book and every teen gets a free magazine.

New for this year’s event will be demonstrations of Lee County Library System’s latest electronic reference resources and their new computer catalog.  Internet access computers will be available during the festival at the e-Library in the Park for these demonstrations and for public use.

           
According to festival coordinator Karen Scholz, “The mission of this event is to promote the library’s services by bringing its year-round programs and resources outdoors for the day.  We want people to come enjoy the festival and to walk away with the knowledge that most every activity they saw in the park is available to them regularly at eleven libraries, specialized Talking Books library, Bookmobile and other community access services throughout Lee County.”

           
Present your photo identification during the festival at the e-Library in the Park or at the Bookmobile to have a Lee County Library System library card issued on the spot.  Friends of the Library groups will be represented in the Festival Marketplace to provide information on membership and how you can help your local library.  Other community organizations, businesses, and food vendors also will have exhibits at the Marketplace.  Three official festival booksellers will have separate tents where they will sell festival authors’ books and host book signings.

           
Lee County Reading Festival relies on many sponsors and volunteers whose donations add to the efforts of Library System and Foundation staff to proudly offer the largest literary event in Southwest Florida.  Join the thousands who come to celebrate the power of reading!

For more information on the Lee County Reading Festival, please call (239) 479-4636 or visit the Web site www.lee-county.com/library/ReadingFestival2004.htm.