91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — In celebration of (May 4-10, 2015) United for Libraries will dedicate five Literary Landmarks™ celebrating children’s book authors. This program was spearheaded by Rocco Staino of the Empire State Center for the Book and is presented in conjunction with the .

The following Literary Landmarks will be dedicated:

• Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, Galesburg, Illinois, April 25, 2015 (in partnership with Illinois Center for the Book)

The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Lincoln biographer was born in a three-room cottage adjacent to the site and grew up in Galesburg. His book “Rootabaga Stories” was written for his three daughters, and “The American Songbag” is a collection of American folk tunes that are still taught to children today.

• Westerly (Rhode Island) Public Library, May 2, 2015, in honor of Margaret Wise Brown (in partnership with Rhode Island Center for the Book)
  
  
  
  Brown was the author of many beloved children’s books, including “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny.” After her untimely death, her sister Roberta Rausch and her friend Jessica Gamble Dunham donated a near complete set of her published works, personal papers, manuscripts and books to Westerly Library.

• Norman (Oklahoma) Public Library, May 3, 2015, in honor of Harold Keith (in partnership with Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma)
  
  
  
  Harold Keith was born in Oklahoma’s Cherokee Outlet. He pioneered the field of sports journalism as the first sports information director for the University of Oklahoma. His major works include sports histories and historical novels for young people. His book “Rifles for Watie” won the 1958 Newbery Award.

• George Bruce Branch, New York Public Library, May 4, 2015, in honor of Walter Dean Myers (in partnership with Empire State Center for the Book)
  
  
  
  The neighborhood is the setting for many of Myers’ books, including “Harlem,” “Monster,” “145th Street” and “Here in Harlem.” His childhood was spent playing basketball on the courts of Harlem and checking books out at this branch of the New York Public Library. Myers went on to become an award-winning author and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (2012-13).

• Hamilton (Ohio) Lane Library, May 9, 2015, in honor of Robert McCloskey (in partnership with the Lane Libraries)
  
  
  
  Two-time Caldecott Award-winner Robert McCloskey walked through the doors of the Hamilton Lane Library many times as a child. McCloskey was born in Hamilton and his first book, “Lentil,” featured several Hamilton scenes, including the library. Published by Viking in 1940, it told the story of a boy much like himself.

During the Literary Landmark dedication for Walter Dean Myers, United for Libraries will posthumously honor Frederick Ruffner with the Friends of Libraries U.S.A. Award. Ruffner was the founder of the Literary Landmarks program, which began as a project of Friends of Libraries U.S.A., and is now administered by United for Libraries. Ruffner served as president of Friends of Libraries U.S.A., and was a very active advocate for libraries. Ruffner founded Gale Research Company with his wife Mary Evans Ruffner. The award will be accepted by his sons Frederick G. Ruffner III, and Peter E. Ruffner.

The Literary Landmark program is administered by United for Libraries. More than 140 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated since the program began in 1986. Any library or group may apply for a Literary Landmark through United for Libraries. is available on the United for Libraries website.

: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the 91´«Ã½ that supports those 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. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.