Press Room

Finalists include:

• Green Gables Elementary School Library (Lakewood, CO)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwlt9og5KJY

• Allen County Public Library (Fort Wayne, IN)
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxp3E3YUdQ

• Towson Public Library (Baltimore, MD)
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSEbdW7Pvnc

• Dozier Middle School and Main Street Libraries (Newport News, VA)
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBJcZOgPEFw

• Columbus Public Library (Columbus, NE)
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-oBHCsFbkk

The "I Love My  Library!" video contest is the first initiative to come from librareo (www.gale.com/librareo), Thomson Gale's  online community for libraries and the people who love them.  Librarians, library patrons, teachers,  students and aspiring filmmakers were asked to make a two-minute video professing a deep,  abiding love of libraries, librarians and those who depend on them.  Videos were loaded to YouTube.

The Green Gables Elementary School Library submission  depicts the filmmaker's journey through the library as a young child, where she  learned that she had a passion for telling stories. 

The Allen County Public Library submission depicts an  amorous couple on an evening stroll suddenly sidetracked by a crowd of  zombies.  They find a way out - and a  helpful guide - in the Allen County Public Library.   

The Towson Public Library submission follows Hemmingway the  Bookworm, a jolly red worm, through the library as he tries to convince the  mayor why he should love libraries enough to not cut, and even add to, the  library budget. 

The Dozier Middle School and Main Street Libraries  submission depicts two students on their quest to find the information they  need to complete a school project.  They  start with an Internet search, but when it yields less than reliable  information, they head to the library. 

The Columbus Public Library video submission invites viewers  to discover a new world at the Columbus Public Library by traveling through a  three-dimensional video pop-up book. 

A panel of Thomson Gale judges selected the top five  finalist videos based on creativity, unique portrayal of love for libraries and  the resources they provide, and overall likeability.  Starting today, the top five videos will be featured on www.gale.com/librareo for a nationwide vote that will be open to the public until June 11, 2007. 

Each voter receives only one vote with which to select  their favorite video.  The video with  the most votes wins $10,000 - $5,000 awarded to a library the winner designates as the  recipient; the other $5,000 awarded to the winner.  The winning video also will be shown at a special screening held  during the American Library Association's Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

For more information about the librareo site or  the "I Love My Library!" Video Contest, contact Vanessa Birch at vanessa.birch@cengage.com.

About Thomson Learning and Thomson Gale

Thomson Learning delivers state-of-the-art, tailored learning solutions for colleges, universities, professors, students, reference centers, government agencies, corporations and professionals around the world. These solutions are delivered through specialized content, applications and services that foster academic excellence, professional development and provide measurable advantage to its customers. Thomson Learning's mission is to shape the future of global learning by delivering consistently better learning solutions for learners, instructors, and institutions. Thomson Gale(TM) (www.gale.com) serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs - from homework help to health questions to business profiles - in a variety of formats - books and eBooks, databases and microfilm.