The project «Libraries Change Lives» was aimed at celebration libraries as foundation stones of education, culture, and community.

The participants of the project were able to reappraise the value of libraries as a public good available to everyone, and through their creative works (poems, translations, media projects, digital cards) they celebrated and promoted libraries and generations of hard working individuals that maintained them.

“Libraries Change Lives” project consisted of 4 parts:

1. Poetry translation contest.
The poetry translation contest for 6-11th graders took place in February. Participants had to translate: 6-7 graders - a poem «My library» by Varda One; 8-9 graders - a poem «More than words» downloaded from http://hubpages.com/hub/Library-poem; and 10-11th graders - a poem «My library» by Lucy M. Montgomery.

2. Contest on the best poem about the library (in Russian or English).
High school (5-11th grades) and university students were invited to write a poem about the library. For many of them reading is like breathing, and they do not perceive the library as a collection of books only. Students got a unique chance to express their feelings in a poetic form. Poems were evaluated by the jury, which consisted of alumni (professors of Saratov State University), teachers of English and Russian literature and Saratov American Corner staff, who chose 5 best performances.

3. «I love my library» media projects.
Secondary school students were asked to work on media presentations about the daily routine of the library they regularly visit. They had to prove what they really credit their library for: its invaluable resources that help teens survive school, being their refuge from hectic and stressful life, or being just a cool place to stop by.

4. Digital cards contest.
All library lovers were eligible to participate in this contest. The task was to create the best card dedicated to the library. The cards could be colorful or black-and-white, funny or extremely serious, and contain messages about love and appreciation towards the library. Video cards were also accepted.


Totally we received 116 works (poems, translations, digital cards and media projects) and on April, 3 we organized the final event of the project «Libraries Change Lives». More than 50 participants, their parents and educators invited. We spoke about the history of books and libraries as book depositories and after that all the winners received their prizes.