A chance to drive in support of Nevada libraries' summer reading programs and educational opportunities for librarians was unveiled Tuesday at the Legislature.
The plate's unveiling was held in conjunction with Nevada Library Legislative Day in front of the Northeastern Nevada Regional Bookmobile parked on the Legislative Mall.
The plate's design features the phrase "I ô READ" in red text over a stack of books. Plates are available for $61 at initial registration and $25 to renew. Thirty dollars from the initial registration fee and $20 from each renewal will go to the libraries.
Sara Jones, the Nevada state librarian, presented plate number 0000 to Department of Cultural Affairs interim director Scott Sisco in recognition of his support for the project. Nevada Library Association president Ian Campbell will receive plate 0005, and Henderson District Public Libraries executive director Tom Fa, will receive plate 0008. Fay led the effort to design the sample plate.
Libraries and Friends of Libraries groups throughout the state gathered signatures to establish the special-edition plate. Nevada law requires a minimum of 1,000 interested users before issuing a specialized license plate.
Jones said library officials and volunteers stopped collecting signatures after the first 1,000. However, due to word-of-mouth and an show of support, nearly 500 additional signatures were collected within a matter of days.
"We knew there would be support," Jones said. "But even those of us intimately involved with the process were surprised to see the amount of enthusiasm generated by the plate.
"It's moving to see so many people get behind such an important project."
For information go to www.NevadaCulture.org.