Laubach Literacy to Benefit from Book It & Return Program

ProLiteracy Worldwide
Friday, 12 January 2001

SYRACUSE, NY, January 12, 2001–Country Inns & Suites By Carlson has announced the launch of an in-house library program, Book It and Return, that lends copies of popular books at no charge to guests with the idea that they will stay with the chain again and return the book. Country Inns & Suites will donate $5 to Laubach Literacy–up to a $ 20,000 annual donation–for every book that is returned.

Country Inns & Suites launches Book It And Return at a time when many travelers are reading to relax. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive* showed that 81 percent of business travelers read for pleasure during their flights, "Because many of our guests are business travelers, the Book It and Return program is designed to serve our guests and their leisure reading interests, while giving them something unique in return for their dedication to our company," says Yvonne La Penotiere, vice president of sales and marketing. Added Paul Kirwin, president of Country Inns & Suites, "This program encourages guests to enjoy our cozy surroundings along with a good book. We're also proud that this program allows us to be involved with such a great cause as reading and adult literacy."

Under the new "Book it and Return" campaign, Country Inns & Suites will feature a new book every quarter and stock each of the 248 hotels in its chain with 100 copies to display on the bookshelves or fireplace mantel in the hotel lobby. Guests will receive a bookmark that explains the campaign at check-in. The first selection is sportswriter Mitch Albom's bestseller, "Tuesdays With Morrie," a true story of a young man's love and regard for his former professor and spiritual mentor.

Country Inns & Suites has more than 248 properties throughout North America and caters to both business travelers and families. The Book it and Return selections can be returned to any North American Country Inns & Suites property, not just the one where it was borrowed. In fact, Laubach Literacy will receive a donation even if the book is mailed back. "We think this cause partnership is very promising," says Kirk Shisler, director of fund development for Laubach Literacy. "Promoting our organization to active readers is a natural fit. While we anticipate that many Country Inns & Suites guests will be familiar with Laubach Literacy, the Book It and Return program will introduce many others to our nearly 50-year-old organization which teaches not only reading, but also writing, math, problem-solving skills, and English as a Second Language to more than 170,000 adult learners annually."

Laubach Literacy is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to helping adults improve their lives and their communities by learning reading, writing, math and problem-solving skills. Founded in 1955 by literacy pioneer Dr. Frank C. Laubach, the organization has 1,100 member programs throughout the United States and 67 partner programs in 36 developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Laubach Literacy is headquartered in Syracuse, New York. Its U.S. publishing division, New Readers Press, produces and distributes 500 titles of adult educational materials to 46,000 literacy organizations, schools, libraries and other institutions across the country.

For more information, or to contact ProLiteracy Worldwide, see their website at: www.proliteracy.org