Minister presents Marconi's Miracle to public libraries

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, tomorrow will present the first of 100 copies of Marconi's Miracle to be distributed to pubic libraries throughout the province. 

"The Special Celebrations Corporation is pleased to be involved in Library Week 2001 through its Wireless Wizard Kite Program," said Minister Aylward. "This program is one of the anchor events of the Receiving the World: Celebrating Communications program and is intended to encourage children and families to get involved and help celebrate Marconi's great achievement on Signal Hill in 1901. This year we are bringing global attention to this internationally significant event, but we also want to ensure that our own citizens, especially our young people, are aware of our province's history in communications.

"I am delighted to be presenting the first of 100 copies of Marconi's Miracle, which will go to the public libraries across the province. This book by Newfoundland author, D.R. Tarrant, tells of Guglielmo Marconi's hard work and determination at a young age which helped him conquer wireless communications and change our world forever. It will not only educate our young people on the history of communications in our province, but also hopefully show them the results of hard work and inspire them to pursue their own dreams."

Minister Aylward's presentation will be part of the official launch of Library Week 2001 in which the theme is Let Libraries Carry You Away. The launch is a collaborative effort of the Wireless Wizard Kite Program, the St. John's Public Libraries and the Newfoundland and Labrador Library Association. The event is taking place on April 28 at the Arts and Culture Centre's A.C. Hunter Children's Library from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Other events will include a reading by author Kevin Major, story-telling by Katherine Grier and a kite-making and flying workshop by Don Brownridge, president of the Toronto Kite Fliers. 

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2001 04 27                                        10:10 a.m.