OCLC receives additional funding for Geek the Library, now active in 24 states

OCLC's Geek the Library community awareness campaign, now available to all U.S. public libraries, has received an additional grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The supplementary $726,000 provides ongoing campaign materials and field support for libraries currently running the campaign and allows OCLC to work with additional public libraries that sign up by March 31, 2012. Funding ensures that participating libraries can use the campaign to reach their local communities through June 2013.

Since the launch in 2009, hundreds of libraries across the U.S. have enrolled to run local Geek the Library campaigns. Participants are embracing the campaign, enthusiastically customizing content, and actively involving their communities.

"[Geek the Library] was a huge celebration of the library and what we do that's never happened before. It spoke to everybody - especially young people. This made us seem interesting and cool," said Library Director Angela Semifero of the Marshall District Library in Marshall, Michigan. "The campaign helped teach the community that the library is there for everyone. It has made it easier to go out there and tell people about what the library needs. They now see the library as a part of them and an important part of the community."

Libraries can get more information about implementing the campaign locally at get.geekthelibrary.org.