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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Saturday, July 16, 2005
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"This is the biggest book release I've ever seen in ten years of book selling. The best part is they get kids reading," stated General Manager Susan Allen while adding more Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince books to the display at Borders in Sunset Hills Plaza, Saturday afternoon.
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Magic of Reading Returns with Harry Potter Release
NEW YORK, (PRNewswire), July 16, 2005 - After a transatlantic journey in a locked steamer trunk aboard the Queen Mary 2, the first author-signed American copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince arrived at Scholastic's "Harry Potter Place" in New York City, July 15, under tight security to be presented to the winner of Scholastic's nationwide public library sweepstakes, at 12:01 a.m., July 16.
Scholastic's Chairman, President and CEO, Dick Robinson, and the ten student winners of Scholastic's "Why I Love Reading Harry Potter" essay contest unlocked the giant trunk, revealing the book which is inscribed "To those who love reading and libraries as much as I do" signed J.K. Rowling. The first author-signed edition was awarded to the West Asheville Branch Library in North Carolina, the grand-prize winner.
More than 9,000 public libraries nationwide entered the sweepstakes for a chance to win the book. Due to the overwhelming response to the sweepstakes, Scholastic announced 49 additional prizes. Author J.K. Rowling graciously agreed to sign 49 bookplates to be placed inside special library-bound editions of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and presented to one public library sweepstakes participant from each of the other 49 United States. In Missouri, University City Public Library in University City, was one of the recipients of the special book.
Scholastic printed an initial unprecedented 10.8 million copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, an all-time United States publishing record. The fastest-selling book in history, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling's fifth Harry Potter book, was released on June 21, 2003 and sold 5 million copies in the first 24 hours.
Tulsi Singh, age 13, and her younger sister, Shizani take a first look at the new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at Borders in Sunset Hills Plaza, Saturday afternoon, July 16. The girls have four other Harry Potter books. Their mother, Anuradha, stated that she personnally loves the stories and has seen all the movies with her girls.
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The recent launch of the Harry Potter Report and Survey from Waterstone's Booksellers Ltd. in London revealed that children and teachers alike believe that Harry Potter has had a significant impact on children's literacy levels in the UK.
Children say that Harry Potter has helped them improve their reading skills and that Harry Potter books have made them want to read more books - almost six out of ten children surveyed (59%) said that Harry Potter books had helped them improve their reading skills, and nearly half (48%) said that Harry Potter books made them want to read more books.
For some children reading a Harry Potter book really stretches their ability - 41% said Harry Potter books were hard to read and 51% said Harry Potter books were the longest books they had ever read. 69% of children said that Harry Potter books were their favourite books of all time and 61% said that the books were so good that the length did not matter.
Teachers also recognise the impact that Harry Potter has had on children's literacy - 84% of teachers say that Harry Potter has had a positive impact on children's reading abilities and 73% of teachers say that they have been surprised by some of the children that have managed to read Harry Potter.
Of the teachers surveyed an overwhelming 83% felt that Harry Potter was a good role model for the children. Indeed, two thirds of teachers (60%) see the Harry Potter series as a helpful resource for teaching in the classroom.
Nearly four out of ten teachers (37%) of teachers felt that the Harry Potter books have had a bigger impact on literacy than the Government's National Literacy Strategy.
In fact over three quarters (77%) of the teachers surveyed also admitted to having read and enjoyed the Harry Potter series themselves.
A white stretch limo arrived in front of Borders in Sunset Hills Plaza, Saturday afternoon, with newly-weds Mike and Katie Swehla, their wedding party of 10 and photographer, to pick up the newest edition of the Harry Potter series which the bride had reserved for the special occassion. "I'm not into it, but it's her day, so she can do whatever she wants," stated Mike with a big smile.
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Three-Quarters of Households Now Bundle Local and Long Distance Telephone Service with One Provider
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), July 16, 2005 - Seventy-five percent of U.S. households now receive their local and long distance telephone service from one provider-up from 51 percent a year ago-according to a recent J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Residential All-Distance Telephone Customer Satisfaction StudySM.
For the first time, J.D. Power and Associates is measuring customer satisfaction with both local and long distance telephone service in one study, reflecting the growing percentage of U.S. households bundling both services with a single provider. Overall satisfaction is measured based on performance in six factors: customer service; billing; performance and reliability; company image; offerings and promotions; and cost of service.
The study finds that despite the cost savings associated with bundling local and long distance service with a single provider, cost of service and offerings and promotions are the factors that consumers rate lowest in satisfaction. Customers report spending an average of $50.70 a month for local and long distance service, compared to $64.40 in 2004.
"Consumers continue to expect even more discounts from their carriers in exchange for their patronage and loyalty," said Steve Kirkeby, senior director of telecommunication research at J.D. Power and Associates. "With the wide array of telecommunications options and increased competition for residential customers among traditional telephone companies, competitive local exchange carriers and cable companies, consumers have a great opportunity to save money and still receive high levels of customer service."
The number of households reporting that they changed local or long distance service providers in the past year plummets-from 17 percent in 2004 to 10 percent in 2005 for local service and from 31 percent to 12 percent for long distance. Only 7 percent of respondents indicate a likelihood of switching carriers in the future-down from 17 percent for local service in 2004.
"This drop in switching is evidence that large numbers of subscribers have already combined their local and long distance service and expect to stay with their provider for the time being," said Kirkeby. "However, there is still strong interest among consumers in promotions that couple wireless service plans, which typically have a fixed number of minutes, with traditional telephone service, providing optimal savings."
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