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2000 Contribution to Literacy in Alaska Award Winners
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Ann Dixon
Ann Dixon has made significant contributions to literary arts in
Alaska.
While working as a public librarian in Willow for 10 years,
Ann was primarily responsible for the construction of a new
library facility for the community. As librarian, Ann was
responsible for writing a grant to facilitate the Mat-Su Storytelling
Series. Her work enabled a number of storytellers to travel to
and perform at the public libraries of the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough. Her example has encouraged others to continue to
bring stories and storytelling into the valley's libraries.
Ann is the author of numerous quality children's
books: "Sleeping Lady", "Blueberry Shoe," and "Merry Birthday,
"Nora Noel."
Ann is a storyteller, speaker and presenter.
She does presentations throughout the state in
schools, public libraries, in seminars and to the
general public. She actively promotes literacy and
infuses her audiences with the love of stories and the
passing of them from one generation to the next.
Soroptimist International of Cook Inlet
The Soroptimist International of Cook Inlet Club, founded in
1980, has tackled areas that they feel strongly about: domestic
violence, literacy and education. It is through the Clio's Room
Library Projects, that advancement has been made in the areas of
literacy and education.
On May 6, 1998, the Soroptimist International of Cook
Inlet dedicated their first library at the AWAIC Shelter
(Abused Women's Aid in Crisis) in Anchorage. They created
a library for use by women and children in the Shelter. It
is a special library where there is no checkout system. A
beautiful bookplate, designed by Cynthia Walker, welcomes
the reader to take a book they are enjoying and at some
time in their life to donate a book to a library of their
choice. Members built bookshelves and gathered thousands
of books for all ages, with a special area for self-development.
On February 17, 2000, a second library was dedicated in
conjunction with Kids' Kitchen at the North East Community
Center on Muldoon Road. This library has a different focus
in that it serves as a research or reference area for children
who are doing their homework. Books from this library stay
on-site to be used by others. The club also installed new
bookshelves, with the help of children using the center,
and purchased new books with up-to-date information for
children to use. Artwork was also added which complemented
the educational activities taking place in this area.
Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center (ANHC)
An extraordinary program to promote literacy in an unusual
context, the Neighborhood Health Center is keeping the body
healthy and nurturing literacy as a means to a larger world.
To help prevent illiteracy in its patients, ANHC adopted a
national program called Reach Out & Read (ROR). Health care
providers offer parents advice and instruction on how to read
to their children and prescribe 20 minutes of reading time each
day. With each well child check, the provider gives the patent
a brand new, age appropriate book. By the time the child is 5
years old he/she will have acquired at least 10 books.
ANHC has give out over 3000 books since it incorporated the
ROR program in August of 1998.
When available, children 5 and older are given a book to
take home as well. These books must be acquired through
book drives and/or donations. The Center's waiting areas
have used books that are available for children of all ages
to bring home. In less than one month the Center has given
out over 400 books in their waiting area.
Besides books, the Center has volunteers to read
to children in the waiting areas. This provides a
model of reading behavior to parents, many of whom
were not read to as children, while exposing children to books.
Alaska Northwest Books
Alaska Northwest Books has been a significant
and consistent publisher of Alaskan literature
and been a supportive resource for Alaskan authors.
Their publishing efforts have represented every indigenous
culture and more recently arrived cultures.
In addition, and perhaps more important, is their ongoing
support of many community events and projects. Specifically,
they have contributed to the Alaska Literary Map Poster project,
which celebrates Alaskan authors. They are very generous with
their staff's time, encouraging their involvement in literacy
projects within the community.
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