NEW YORK, NY -- October 28, 2003 -- The LearningTimes Library Online Conference 2003 (LTLOC) today presented its first Innovations in Information Services Award to 14 recipients, including New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The LearningTimes Innovations in Information Services Awards recognize individual and organizational contributions to the information services community, and were presented as part of a five-day conference held completely online. [See photographs]

Citing the importance of the preservation of primary source materials, the panel of judges was particularly enthusiastic about Senator Clinton’s involvement in “Save America’s Treasures”. This is a national effort to protect America's threatened cultural treasures, including historic structures, collections, works of art, maps and journals that document and illuminate the history and culture of the United States.

"It gives me great honor to accept one of the Innovations in Information Services Awards from LearningTimes," said Senator Clinton upon receiving the award. "As this organization knows, I believe it is essential that our society treasures its cultural artifacts and keep these sources of learning protected for future generations. I want to thank LearningTimes for their efforts to uphold these values by recognizing the people and organizations that share similar goals."

Other 2003 Innovators receiving awards include The National Wildlife Federation, The Cleveland Public Library, and the Migrant Education Program - San Diego County Office of Education. A complete list of winners, and the recording of the awards ceremony webcast are available on the conference website: www.libraryconference.com.

The LearningTimes Library Online Conference 2003: “Innovations by Information Professionals” is sponsored by the ACRL, the largest division of the American Library Association (ALA); the New York State Higher Education Initiative (NYSHEI); and Tutor.com, among others. LTLOC is the first completely online conference to address the practical issues in today's libraries, archives, historical societies and museums.

Speakers include Steven Cohen, Library Stuff; Dr. Siva Vaidhyanathan, New York University; Mark Weitzman, Simon Wiesenthal Center; and over two dozen others in live interactive webcasts, voice and text based chat sessions, moderated discussion boards, and online poster sessions. A complete list of LTLOC presenters and topics can be found on the conference website at http://www.libraryconference.com.

The live sessions were completed on October 24th, but the recordings, discussion boards, and collaborative activities continue to run within the LearningTimes Library Conference Community. To subscribe to LTLOC visit: http://www.libraryconference.org/subscribe.shtml

For more information, and group rates for your organization, write to library@learningtimes.net or call John Walber at 215-884-7321.

About LearningTimes, LLC

LearningTimes LLC, designs and produces online learning conferences, communities, and events; and provides the platforms, applications and promotional expertise that make them successful. The LearningTimes Network connects each member institution with other learning-oriented groups and provides unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. A representative sample of the organization’s clients and partners include: Columbia University Teachers College, Eduventures, Elluminate, The New York City Department of Education, The League for Innovation in the Community College, The Illinois Online Conference, New Visions for Public Schools, St. John’s University, the New York Transit Museum, and the Academy of American Poets.