ALA Presidential Candidates

The 2010–2011 candidates for ALA President—Kenton L. Oliver and Roberta Stevens—have launched websites that describe their platforms and qualifications. Oliver is the executive director of the Stark County (Ohio) District Library, and Stevens is outreach projects and partnerships officer at the Library of Congress and project manager for the National Book Festival.

Change in date for Registration for ALA Annual

The first day of registration for the 2009 ALA Annual Conference has been moved from Friday, Jan. 2 to Monday, Jan. 5. Registration for the Conference, to be held in Chicago. July 9 through July 15, will open at 8 a.m. CST on Jan. 5.

The change was made to accommodate the closing of the ALA office for the day of Jan. 2.
Beginning Jan. 5, participants can register online through the ALA Web site, by fax or by mail. Hotel reservations can also be made at this time. With the new reservation system, attendees must be registered before they can make a hotel reservation. Also that day, participants can sign up for the pre-conferences and special events. If you registered for the “Bundle,” you can go back into the system and make housing reservations, as well as sign-up for the pre-conferences and special events.

Registering early with Early Bird Registration, available until March 6, will ensure the lowest rates. Advance Registration rates are available until May 22. Limited registration is available onsite, beginning June 26. For rates listed in detail, visit
http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/2009/registration.cfm

ALA Midwinter Coming Soon!

If you haven't signed up for "the premier preconference" sponsored by CAL, there's still time left - in fact, you can sign up until the day of the conference on January 23rd. Look for additional information coming out on Libnet of contact me (Shelley @ walchak_s@cde.state.co.us ) The preconference will allow discussion on the all-important OCLC study, "From Awareness to Funding."

The Event Planner is now ready to use (http://tinyurl.com/9rhyll) and includes dates, times and locations of all events. The Planner is only available to fully registered attendees. To log in, use the email address you provided when you registered, and the generic password "ala." You will be able to reset your password using the "My Profile" feature once you are logged in. If you do not remember your email or you are having trouble accessing the event planner please contact Karee Williams at kwilliams@ala.org. Fully registered attendees can create a personalized agenda and search for meeting, programs and events.

If you have an Exhibits Only or Exhibits Supreme registration, you cannot log in and create an agenda. However, you can view and search exhibitor listings and information by clicking on product locator.

National Library Legislative Day - 2009

The 2009 National Library Legislative Day (NLLD) is quickly approaching and will be held on Monday, May 11th and Tuesday, May 12th at the Liaison Hotel in Washington, D.C. Please think about joining up with fellow Colorado library advocates to go to Washington and talk with our legislators about the importance of libraries. Please contact me if you have questions about NLLD. (Shelley) walchak_s@cde.state.co.us. For more information from ALA, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/95owqx

ALA Submits Report to Obama-Biden Transition Team

The ALA Washington Office prepared a report on the library community’s key issues and concerns, Opening the “Window to a Larger World”: Libraries’ Role in Changing America and submitted it to the Obama-Biden Transition Team on December 17. The Washington Office hopes to continue this open dialogue with the administration over the next four years. You can link to the full report at this url:
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1191

ALA Annual in Chicago - July 9 - 15

Although Midwinter is not yet here, it's already time to start thinking about ALA Annual - this year in Chicago, and rather late - from July 9th - 15th.

Here's the information:
New- Registration Opens January 5, 2009, 8:00 am CT
ALA Annual Conference 2009
http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/index.cfm
The 2009 Annual Conference will take place in Chicago, IL July 9- July 15, 2009 at McCormick Place West located at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60616.
Committee and business meetings take place July 9-15, 2009 and Council Meetings run to July 15. Education programs take place primarily July 10-13, 2009. The Exhibits will be held July 11-14, 2009 at McCormick Place West. Programs and meetings will also take place at McCormick Place West and nearby hotels.
Thinking about attending conference and want to find out more about Chicago check here-City of Chicago and ALA Site

Want to be involved in Poster Sessions at ALA Annual

The ALA Poster Session Committee is currently seeking volunteeers! Members are needed to shape the future of the poster sessions and participate in committee activities. Volunteers with leadership interest and potential are eagerly sought. If you are interested, please email Jody Fagan, faganjc@jmu.edu the following information:
statment of interest: why are you interested?
previous experience / participation in the ALA poster sessions and/or other organizational poster sessions
your resume/ CV
The 2009 ALA Annual Poster Sessions will be held at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, IL on July 11, 12, and 13, 2009 at McCormick Place West (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of the conference).
Proposals for the 2009 Annual Conference are due on or before January 31st, 2009.
The web form, http://www.lib.jmu.edu/org/ala/form.asp is now available. Please click "How to Apply" for more details.
Authors will be notified of acceptance on or before March 31, 2009.