The Verizon Foundation and the American Library Association (ALA) will announce a joint initiative to integrate gaming into educational and literacy programs offered in U.S. libraries. The announcement will take place Saturday (June 28) at 5:30 p.m. at the ALA Annual Conference opening session at the Anaheim Convention Center.

WHO:    Loriene Roy, president, ALA
          Tim McCallion, president, Verizon California

  WHAT:   American Library Association/Verizon Foundation announcement on
          new gaming in libraries initiative

  WHEN:   Saturday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m.

  WHERE:  Anaheim Convention Center
          Arena, 800 W. Katella Ave, Anaheim

BACKGROUND: Throughout the country, many libraries are offering gaming -- video tournaments and gaming clubs -- which is a powerful attraction to children, teenagers and college students. The gaming phenomenon has also spurred research into the educational impact of gaming, and a need to model gaming programs for learning. The new initiative to be announced will support the development of educational gaming in libraries, and is the latest effort in the long-standing relationship between the Verizon Foundation and the ALA to leverage technology to improve literacy and learning.