Delaware Division of Libraries Recognized for Advancing Tourism through Partnerships
Annual Book Festival Receives High Praise at 2008 Governor's Tourism Summit
| Status | For Immediate Release | Contact | Christopher Portante |
| Release Date | Tuesday, 23 April 2008 | Phone | (302) 73-4111 |
Last week, the Delaware Division of Libraries received a Governor’s Tourism Award in the “Best Partnership” category. The award was presented at the 2008 Governor’s Tourism Summit for the Division’s role in organizing dozens of partners around the Delaware Book Festival. The award, presented by the Delaware Tourism Office, recognizes organizations that have formally banded together to increase their impact on tourism in Delaware. Receiving the award were State Librarian Annie Norman and Patty Langley, Administrative Librarian with the Delaware Division of Libraries. Langley proposed the idea of a day-long book event a few years ago, which led to her writing and receiving a grant to fund the first Delaware Book Festival in 2006.
Tim Morgan (Director of Tourism for the State of Delaware), Annie Norman (State Librarian), Patty Langley (Administrative Librarian, Delaware Division of Libraries), and Judy McKinney-Cherry (Director, Delaware Economic Development Office. Courtesy: Delaware Tourism Office
The Delaware Book Festival was the first event of its kind in the state where the reading public could meet nationally-recognized authors and talk with them about their books and characters. The festival generated significant publicity statewide, and in the region, as well as greater visibility for libraries. In choosing the First State Heritage Park at Dover as the location for the event in 2006 and 2007, the Delaware Book Festival organizers helped bring attention to this newly designated park without boundaries. The event has also led to ongoing cooperation and collaboration between the partnering organizations, which continue to meet regularly and share opportunities and referrals with one another.
“The Division of Libraries sets a high mark for other organizations to follow,” said Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor, whose office oversees the Division. “The Division and our public libraries understand the importance of partnerships and how such collaboration can be of great benefit to all Delawareans.”
The 3rd Annual Delaware Book Festival will be held Saturday, November 1st in Dover. Additional partners and sponsors are welcome. Interested agencies and organizations can contact Patty Langley (patty.langley@state.de.us).
Partners in the Delaware Book Festival include Delaware public libraries, AARP Delaware, Biggs Museum of American Art, Delaware Archaeological Museum, Delaware College Investment Plan, Delaware Department of Education, Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Delaware Division of Libraries, Delaware Division of the Arts, Delaware Heritage Commission, Delaware Humanities Forum, Delaware Library Association, Delaware Public Archives, Delaware State Visitor Center, Delmarva Discussions, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Dover Post, Encyclopedia Britannica, First State Children’s Theater, First State Heritage Park at Dover, Friends of Dover Public Library, Friends of Kent County Libraries, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Johnson Victrola Museum, Kent County Tourism, Legislative Hall, Museum of Small Town Life, ProQuest, Read Aloud Delaware, Rehoboth Beach Writer’s Guild, Sea Glass Writer’s Conference, State Friends of Delaware Libraries, State House Museum, University of Delaware, and Winterthur Museum and Gardens.
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