Salem Press

Press Release
Proof Reference is Cool
Salem Press invites evidence of general coolness in reference.

Hackensack, New Jersey - October 15, 2005 - Salem Press, Inc. (www.salempress.com), the award-winning publisher of literary, historical and scientific reference materials, today announced the Reference is Cool Contest. In it, Salem invites proof of any kind that reference books (online and print), the people who use them, reference librarians and collaborating teachers are "cool."

Peter W. Tobey, Director of Coolness at Salem, broadly described the program. "We are using the expression 'cool' in an exemplary sense, meaning 'excellent' or 'first-class.' We are shying away from the meaning of the word that implies merely 'acceptable' or 'satisfactory.' It's Salem's hope that unrecognized pockets of coolness, hidden from general view, will be discovered and duly recognized."

Submissions are being accepted by:

Coolness Committee

Salem Press

2 University Plaza

Hackensack, NJ 07601

Electronic submissions can be sent to ptobey@salempress.com.

Evidence
Creative interpretations are encouraged. Absolute proofs will be enthusiastically received but strong implications of coolness are acceptable. Submissions may be in the form of illustration or photograph. But written evidence of non-visual coolness is also acceptable. Entries will be evaluated on a daily basis. Particularly apt evidence of school and library coolness will be posted online on Salem's website, at www.salempress.com/cool.

In the interest of full disclosure, the judges recognize their own bias toward cool reference materials but will consider and reward materials from the wider world of school libraries and media centers, academic and public libraries.

Prizes, Awards & Honors
All entries will be acknowledged with an official "Reference is Cool" button, (pictured here). Periodically, and with a certain arbitrary, even whimsical irregularity, winners will be posted online and will receive the much-coveted Magill's "Reference is Cool" mug.

About Salem Press
Since 1949, Salem Press has been the publisher of reference works on literature, history and biography, the social sciences and the sciences suitable for adult and young adult readers spanning all educational venues. Reference materials are both printed and electronic. The company distributes its work to college, school and public libraries.