East Smithfield Public Library  sponsors baseball literacy contest

The  East Smithfield Public Library joins the American Library Association and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in inviting people of all ages to “Step Up to the Plate @ your library.”  This year’s program includes a special “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” theme in honor of the 100th anniversary of the song. 

 People of all ages are encouraged to visit their library and answer a series of trivia questions inspired by “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”  Categories of questions include ballparks, baseball in popular culture, fan experience and baseball pioneers.

Everyone who successfully completes the program will be eligible to win a trip for two to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.  The program begins April 4, 2008 and runs through September 1, 2008.

The “Step Up to the Plate @ your library” program is designed to test players’ information literacy skills by challenging them to answer questions like “What popular broadcaster began the practice of singing “Which Chicago Cubs broadcaster went on to become the 40^th President of the United States?” Unlike most contests, players are encouraged to look up the answers using both print and online sources at their library.

Players can pick up a copy of the “Step Up to the Plate” Playbook appropriate for their age group at the library or on the program’s Web site at www.ala.org/baseball.  Each Playbook poses a series of baseball-related questions to test players' information literacy skills.  Players can enter the prize drawing by submitting the completed playbook either by mail or online. Questions about the Contests and where to locate baseball resources please contact Mr. Mike at the library or by calling 231-5150 Ex: 3

For more information about the program, visit www.ala.org/baseball  More information on the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is available at www.baseballhall.org.