Join me in congratulating the 10 local councils that earned the state ALA-STAR award for 2009-2010: Autauga Reading Council, Baldwin County Reading Council, Bessemer Reading Council, Elmore County Reading Council, Heritage Reading Council, Jacksonville Reading Council, Metro-Mobile Reading Council, Northwest Alabama Reading Council, Tennessee Valley Reading Council and University of Mobile Reading Council.

Each council president submitted documentation showing the council met all eight required and a minimum of four optional items.  The materials I received clearly show these councils' members set specific goals and worked diligently to achieve them.  Because of these councils' efforts to promote literacy, many communities and individuals have benefited greatly. 

The formal presentation of the ALA-STAR awards will take place November 2 at the fall conference's Board of Directors dinner meeting in Birmingham.  Our district directors and I will recognize each council's efforts and present the council representatives with the ALA-STAR award and a check for $100.00.  The 7 councils that attained IRA Honor Council will receive an additional $75.00: Baldwin County Reading Council, Elmore County Reading Council, Heritage Reading Council, Jacksonville Reading Council, Metro-Mobile Reading Council, Tennessee Valley Reading Council and University of Mobile Reading Council.  ARA president Becky Fearon will email RSVP invitations in the fall with more information, but mark your calendar now for this conference event so you can be part of the celebration. 

I know that you are also proud of these award-winning councils and that you join me in congratulating those who worked so diligently to attain this year's ALA-STAR award.  This is indeed celebration time in Alabama!