United for Libraries Forms National Partnership with Paula Poundstone

Emmy Award-winning comedian Paula Poundstone helps raise awareness for Friends of the Library groups as national spokesperson for United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library Trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. Poundstone, a “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” panelist, mother of three, and author of There’s Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say (Harmony Books, a division of Random House, with foreword by Mary Tyler Moore) lends her name, voice, and humor to help Friends groups around the country promote themselves and their libraries, building off a successful partnership between Poundstone and the former Friends of Libraries U.S.A.

"There I was in another unbalanced relationship," begins Emmy-award winning comedian Paula Poundstone in a new public service announcement, which can be see below and online at YouTube along with a 15 second version. Permission is granted for Friends of the Library groups to embed these videos on their websites to promote the Friends to their local communities.

“We’re thrilled that Paula Poundstone will continue to use her celebrity status to help highlight and support Friends of the Library groups,” said Sally Reed, Executive Director of United for Libraries. “These volunteer citizen organizations work hard throughout the year to raise money for and public awareness about their libraries. Libraries would be immeasurably poorer without them.”

“It’s funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women,” said Poundstone. “The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed.”

To help local Friends groups promote themselves and the library, United for Libraries will make available free downloadable publicity materials that incorporate Poundstone’s quote, “If you haven’t been to your library lately, you’re overdue.” Included are two public service announcements available in both audio and video formats, as well as bookmarks and other materials.

In addition to the public awareness materials, Poundstone is further supporting libraries on a local level by partnering with promoters and the local Friends organization in towns and cities where she performs. The local Friends group receives tickets for use in fundraising or promotion.

Among her many accolades, Poundstone is an Emmy Award winner. She was the first woman to be invited to perform at the White House Correspondents Dinner, and the first woman to win a Cable ACE for best standup comedy special. She’s also won an ACE for Program Interviewer and an American Comedy Award for Best Female Standup. Other appearances include: Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, Real Time with Bill Maher, Late Night with David Letterman, and several specials on HBO.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library Trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century.