AMES, Iowa -- Iowa 4-H will offer individually customized 4-H memory books for members, leaders and parents in cooperation with SharedBook Inc., a company that designs and prints books uniquely tailored to groups.

“We are delighted to offer SharedBook’s ground-breaking technology as a new and fun way for our members and their families to connect with each other and share their common interests,” said Albert Grunenwald, associate director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

Created by SharedBook exclusively for 4-H, the Iowa 4-H MemoryBook template celebrates the organization’s activities. It includes 4-H history, fun facts, trivia and photos, with prompts for personal comments and stories.

Several members can choose to create a book together as well as add comments to each others books; family and friends can swap photographs; and volunteer leaders can permanently record activities, highlights and competitions for themselves and their members.

Participants can build a 36-page book on SharedBook’s Web site, uploading photos with a simple point and click procedure. Books can be ordered right now; building books can start online June 15.  To learn more, visit the Iowa 4-H Foundation online (http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org), call 515-294-1537 or log on to SharedBook’s Web site (http://www.Iowa4H.SharedBook.com) to take a tour, see a sample and pre-order the Iowa 4-H Memory Book  ($19.95 before June 14; $26.95 after June 14). Up to 200 pages of personal photos and text can be added for an additional charge.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. In Iowa, 4-H is offered through Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development, headquartered on the Ames campus, and made available through each county office of ISU Extension.

In addition to 4-H, other SharedBook affiliates include organizations such as Little League International, AYSO Soccer, USA Football, Cruise West Cruise Lines, Steamboat Ski Resort and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
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