Make the most of Annual Conference with PLA!
Preconferences - Programs - Committees - Programs Co-Sponsored by PLA - President's Program
Register for ALA 2009 Annual Conference
Download a PDF sheet with Program schedules and locations
Download a PDF map of the McCormick Place campus with room information
Preconferences
Friday, July 10, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Building Communities through Innovative Applications of Technology
Swissotel, Vevey 3—4
Libraries are integrating technologies into virtual and physical spaces to build interest among traditionally underserved populations, enhance library services by connecting with existing online communities, and create new communities around library services. A variety of websites, Web services, outreach activities, and physical spaces will be discussed, including details of implementation and support. Speakers: John Blyberg, Head of Technology and Digital Initiatives, Darien (Conn.) Library; Sandy Farmer, Manager, Central Children’s Room, Houston (Tex.) Public Library; Melissa Kiser, Information Technology Librarian, Allen County (Ind.) Public Library; Glenn Peterson, Founder, EngagedPatrons.org; Aaron Schmidt, Aaron Schmidt, digital_initiatives_librarian, District of Columbia Public Library
Tickets:
Advance: ALA Member, $245; PLA Division/RT Member, $195; Non-Member, $295
Onsite: ALA Member, $295; PLA Division/RT Member, $245; Non-Member, $345 Event Code: PL1
Library Advocacy….From Your Community’s Perspective
This preconference has been canceled.
Why We Borrow: Small Libraries Chime In
This preconference has been canceled.
Want to Add a Preconference to Your Existing Conference Registration?
It’s easy! There are two ways:
1. By phone: Call ALA Registration at 1-800-974-3084 and ask to add a preconference to your existing registration.
2. Online: Add an event to your existing registration by clicking on the link below.
http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=Events&Template=/CFApps/Experient/Redirect.cfm&Meeting=A09
Use your log in and password to access your existing Annual registration and add events in the “Your Events” section (screen 6). Then simply check out and pay for the events you’ve added.
PLA Programs
Saturday, 8:00 am - 9:00 am
PLA 101: ALA Annual Conference Tips for First Time Attendees
Chicago Hilton, Northwest 4
Handout: PLA 101 Chicago, Powerpoint, 3 Mb
If you work in a public library and you are attending your first ALA Annual Conference, this program is for you! Come learn the ropes from ALA veterans who will share tips on how to navigate your way through this huge event and help you get the most out of the experience.
Speakers: Christine Lind Hage, Director, Rochester Hills (Mich.) Public Library; Michelle Bayuk, Director of Marketing, Albert Whitman & Co., Morton Grove, Ill.
Saturday, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
The True Story of Library Exhibitionists: Do More Hands-On Exhibits Mean More Hands On Books?
McCormick Place West, W-180
Tracks: Administration & Leadership; Buildings
Is your library “open for interpretation”? A new branch of the Redwood City (Calif.) Public Library opened in September 2008 with a 540 square foot environmental interpretive center. The InfoZone of the Pueblo City-County Library (Colo.) devotes space to an interactive newspaper museum. The new Minneapolis Public Library will share its top floor with the Minnesota Planetarium and Space Discovery Center. When there never seems to be enough space in any library building why would we devote valuable territory to another purpose? This presentation is an opportunity to learn the advantages and challenges of including hands-on, museum quality exhibits in a public library.
Speakers: Jacky Averill, Children’s Librarian, Redwood City (Calif.) Public Library; Joel Halvorsen, Director of Programs, Minnesota Planetarium Society, Minneapolis, Minn.; Rosalind Kutler, Adult Services & Programming Librarian, Redwood City (Calif.) Public Library; Mike Levad, Lead Exhibit Developer, Split Rock Studios, St. Paul, Minn.; Maria Sanchez-Kennedy, InfoZone Manager, Pueblo City-County (Colo.) Library
Effective Safety and Security Practices in Today’s Public Library
McCormick Place West, W-175b/c
Tracks: Administration & Leadership; Buildings
Today’s public library staff must be prepared to quickly, efficiently and effectively identify and solve problem behavior, which can be challenging. This program will discuss and explore real life situations. Practical solutions will be offered.
Speakers: Karen Danczak-Lyons, First Deputy Commissioner, Chicago (Ill.) Public Library; Bryan Oliver, Safety & Security Manager, Richland County (S.C.) Public Library; Andrew Sanderbeck, Consultant & Trainer, The People-Connect Institute, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Sarah Sledge, Branch Manager, Madison (Ala.) Public Library
Targeted Marketing: Hitting the Bull’s Eye
McCormick Place West, W-190b
Tracks: Administration & Leadership; Advocacy, Marketing and Fundraising
A panel of two public relations and marketing professionals will discuss effective methods for targeting your marketing efforts to special audiences including local neighborhoods, teens, LGBT and other diverse communities and more.
Speakers: Peter Persic, Public Relations & Marketing Director, Los Angeles (Calif.) Public Library; Marcia Schneider, Chief of Communications, Collections & Adult Services, San Francisco (Calif.) Public Library
Saturday, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Where You Can Go with Every Child Ready to Read
McCormick Place West, W-470b
Cosponsored by ALSC
Tracks: Children & Young Adults; Best Practices & Programming
Libraries and Head Start programs make perfect partners when advocating for early literacy. Join this informative panel presentation about how three library systems using the Every Child Ready to Read program have successfully collaborated with Head Start/Early Head Start and other organizations to provide parent education as well as super fun early literacy story times in their communities.
Speakers: Cathie Sue Andersen, Children’s Services Coordinator, Tulsa City-County (Okla.) Library; Elizabeth Basile, Early Childhood Specialist, Chicago (Ill.) Public Library; Cresencia Huff, Early Literacy Program Manager, San Antonio (Texas) Public Library; Representative from Head Start
What Do I Watch, Listen to, Play, or Download Next: Readers Advisory Techniques for the Digital World
McCormick Place West, W-181
Track: Digital Information & Technologies
Confronted by an ever expanding number of options, today’s media seekers require more guidance than ever. Audiovisual items include movies, downloadable books, streaming videos, playaways, and account for more than 50 percent of circulation statistics in many libraries. Using traditional readers advisory practices, staff can assist an increasingly media savvy public in making more informed and entertaining recreational choices.
Speakers: Steve Gianni, Multimedia Manager, Northbrook (Ill.) Public Library; Susan Gibberman, Head of Reader Services, Schaumburg Township (Ill.) District Library; Amy Peterson, Popular Services Librarian, Schaumburg Township (Ill.) District Library; Helen Stewart, Reference Librarian, Schaumburg Township (Ill.) District Library
Life After 2.0
McCormick Place West, W-190b
Track: Digital Information & Technologies
What has become of the initial push for Web 2.0 technologies and services in public libraries? Which programs have been successful? What have we learned from the failures? Blogs, wikis, Second Life, and all things Library 2.0 will be considered against the backdrop of librarian/patron satisfaction. Join our panel of Web 2.0 experts as they discuss what some libraries have done to measure the quality and impact of 2.0 services.
Speakers: Lori Bell, Director of Innovation, Alliance Library System, East Peoria, Ill.; Helene Blowers, Director of Digital Strategy, Columbus (Ohio) Metropolitan Library; Meredith Farkas, Head of Instructional Initiatives, Kretzberg Library, Norwich University, Vt.; Jed Moffitt, Moderator, Associate Director, Information Technology Systems, King County (Wash.) Library System; Michelle Springer, Project Manager, Digital Initiatives, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Saturday, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Street Smarts a Plus: Developing a New Generation of Urban Public Librarians
McCormick Place West, W-178a
Handout: Street Smarts, PDF, 1.4 Mb
Track: Administration & Leadership
Urban public library service offers challenges and great rewards for those wanting to make a difference in people’s lives. Are library and information schools adequately preparing students for work in our cities? How do we recruit a workforce that reflects our changing communities? Hear how one library is introducing its pages to careers in libraries; learn about libraries growing their own; and hear from MLIS faculty on preparing students to work in a multicultural setting.
Speakers: Fred Gitner, Moderator, Coordinator, New Americans Program & Special Services, Queens (N.Y.) Library; Maria E. Gonzalez, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University-LIS, Detroit; Tracie D. Hall, Principal Consultant, Good Seed Consulting, Chicago, Ill.; Joan Levey, Project Coordinator for Staff Development, Chicago (Ill.) Public Library; Kathleen Degyansky, Assistant Director, Program Coordination & Management, Queens (N.Y.) Library
Public Library Winners of the National Medal for Library and Museum Service from the IMLS--Small to Medium Sized Institutions in Rural to Urban Areas
McCormick Place West, W-192b
Handout: Public Library Winners, Powerpoint, 0.5 Mb
Track: Administration & Leadership
Some of our nation’s small-to-medium sized libraries in rural to urban areas have won our country’s highest honor: the National Medal for Museum and Library Service (formerly the National Award). This program will focus on inspirational stories from such public libraries to highlight achievements and values that made them National Medal Winners. How did they successfully innovate and excel for the benefit of their citizens? How do they still do so?
Speakers: Carolyn Anthony, Director, Skokie (Ill.) Public Library; Michelle Bradley, Director, Frankfort (Ind.) Community Public Library; Mary Chute, Deputy Director, Library Services, Institute for Museum & Library Services, Washington, DC; Dwight McInvaill, Director, Georgetown (S.C.) County Library
Walking with Our Partners, Through the Park and into a School: Sharing a Vision and a Building Project
McCormick Place West, W-180
Tracks: Administration & Leadership; Buildings
The Stark County District Library has embarked on two unique partnerships. The first involves a branch in a community complex which also houses schools, the YMCA, and a stat care facility. The benefits, challenges and future planning will be discussed. The other involves the library and the Stark Parks in a joint public facility, the Exploration Gateway. Elements of this rare and exciting collaborative venture will be reviewed in areas including agreements, building construction, green initiatives and programming.
Speakers: Patricia Marsh, Associate Director for Public Services, Stark County (Oh.) District Library; Nick Morris, Stark Parks, Stark County (Oh.) Park District; Kent Oliver, Executive Director, Stark County (Ohio) District Library; Jeff Wendorff, Administrator, Lake Local Schools, Hartville, Ohio
Sunday, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
The Management Mix: Mentoring Librarians for the Realities of Management
McCormick Place West, W-175b/c
Track: Human Resources and Staff Development; Career Paths and Professional Development
This session is designed for aspiring managers, new managers and their supervisors to help mentor and develop the art of and practice of management.
Speakers: Kimberly Johnson, Manager, South Broken Arrow Library, Tulsa (Okla.) Public Library; Mimi Morris, Assistant Director, Branch and Extension Services, Dayton (Oh.) Metro Library; Terri Pasadyn, Manager, Solon Branch, Cuyahoga County (Oh.) Public Library
Public Libraries: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
McCormick Place West, W-470b
Track: Administration & Leadership; Buildings
Once the architect turns over the keys to the library, buildings often begin a downhill slide and become the victims of poor maintenance, graffiti, profuse wiring, and too much signage and show the signs of heavy public usage. Learn how to look at your library with a fresh eye and help return it to opening day condition.
Speaker: Christine Lind Hage, Director, Rochester Hills (Mich.) Public Library
Booktalking Bonanza: Jazzing Up Booktalks with Media Technology
McCormick Place South, S105a-d
Handout: Booktalking Bonanza, Word, 60 kb
Track: Children & Young Adults; Best Practices and Programming
Add new dimensions to your booktalks with exciting media technologies like YouTube videos, online music, PowerPoint presentations, Internet resources, and audio and video from your library’s collection, along with food, games, puppets, magic tricks or science experiments!! With multimedia infusing nearly every activity, today’s audiences from toddlers to elders expect lively, interactive presentations with some type of technology component. Two experts will outline their kid-tested, proven models for enlivening traditional booktalks.
Speakers: Betsy Diamant-Cohen, Early Childhood Specialist, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, Md.; Selma Levi, Children’s Department Manager, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Md.
Sunday, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
More than a Paycheck: Creative Benefits Packages for Libraries
McCormick Place West, W-470b
Handout: More Than A Paycheck 1, Word, 74 kb
Handout: More Than A Paycheck 2, Word, 72 kb
Handout: More Than A Paycheck 3, Word, 24 kb
Track: Administration & Leadership
Libraries across the country, union and non-union, are finding new and creative ways to offer employees more than a paycheck. Learn about total compensation packages that include: staff development, family friendly policies, tuition reimbursement, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and staff recognition awards currently in place in public libraries. These creative benefits can be institutionalized in small and medium sized libraries that serve a population of 100,000 or less.
Speakers: Pat Conley, Director, Washington County (Minn.) Public Library; Jean Mantegna, Human Resources Director, Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library; Mary Pergander, Director, Deerfield (Ill.) Public Library.
Millennials Rising: Programming and Collections for the Next Generation of Library Users
McCormick Place South, S105a-d
Track: User Services
Do you want to gain the support of a whole new tax base? Join Oak Park Public Library’s
Genre X (www.genre-x.com) team for an informative session on reaching that hard to please 20 40-year-old crowd. Discover innovative programming from bars to book discussions and develop a core collection of media for this age group.
Speakers: Jennifer Czajka, Fiction & AV Assistant, Oak Park (Ill.) Public Library; Monica Harris, YA Librarian, Oak Park (Ill.) Public Library; Mandy McGee, Fiction & AV Librarian, Oak Park (Ill.) Public Library
The Future is Now: Planning & Staffing for Change
McCormick Place West, W-180
Track: Administration & Leadership; Leadership & Management
Public Libraries face the pressures of fiscal, demographic and technological changes. The King County Library System has created a Future Services Strategy for redefining and enhancing delivery of services. This strategy is implemented operationally through branch annual service priorities while the staffing is planned through a collaborative effort of management/labor.
Speakers: Holly Koelling, Director, Public Services, King County (Wash.) Library System Service Center; Denise Siers, Director, Public Services, King County (Wash.) Library System Service Center; Jennifer Wiseman, Project Manager, Public Services, King County (Wash.) Library System Services Center
Monday, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
It’s Not the Internet, It’s a Window on the World--Closed to Seniors: A Cost-Effective Model Program to Overcome the Digital Divide for Older Patrons
McCormick Place West, W-190b
Cosponsored by LITA
Track: User Services; Outreach
Government and non-governmental agencies at all levels are reducing costs through self-service web portals and referring their customers to public libraries for access and assistance. Medicare, Social Security and FEMA are a few examples. For disadvantaged seniors, these programs are their lifeline and yet they are least likely to have the skills to use the Internet. Participants in this panel discussion will describe how they work with Generations Online, an award winning program that makes this challenge easier for staff and volunteers and empowers seniors to learn on their own or in classes. Studies and data from nationwide experience will be presented, as well as a demonstration of a replicable, simple, and low-cost program to help novice seniors with an enriched Internet experience.
Speakers: H.E. Broadbent, Former CIO, Free Library of Philadelphia; Michael Pierce, Director, Training & Technology, Generations Online, Philadelphia, Penn.; Leslie Williams, Head, Information Services, Evanston (Ill.) Public Library
Thingamabobs and Doodads: Why Tech Support IS Reference
McCormick Place West, W-196c
Track: User Services
Public library users often rely on staff for technology support. This session will describe core technology competencies required by staff, especially at the reference desk. Librarians and support staff will be inspired to provide tech support as a means to market library services—and themselves—as vital resources to the community.
Speakers: Holly Hibner, Head, Adult Services, Salem-South Lyon (Mich.) Library District; Mary Kelly, Adult/Teen Librarian, Salem-South Lyon (Mich.) Library District
Monday, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Not Just for Kids: Promoting Library Services Through Adult Summer Reading Programs
McCormick Place West, W-194b
Handout: Not Just For Kids Book Bingo, PDF, 840 kb
Track: Authors, Literature & Cultural Programming Adult summer reading programs are a great way for public libraries to promote their collections, services, and staff. When cross-promoted with children’s and teen reading programs, they encourage family literacy. This session will highlight ways to use an Adult Summer Reading Program to get adults interested in library services and new collections.
Speakers: Claire Campana, Adult Services Coordinator, Horry County (S.C.)
Memorial Library System; Holly Hibner, Head, Adult Services, Salem-South Lyon
(Mich.) District Library; Mary Kelly, Adult/Teen Librarian, Salem-South Lyon (Mich.)
District Library
Leading the Way: PLA Fellows Transforming the Future
McCormick Place West, W-175b/c
Track: Administration & Leadership; Leadership & Management
In 2008, the Public Library Association launched a Leadership Fellows Program as part of a multi-year initiative to prepare future leaders and change agents for public libraries. Four PLA members were selected to attend top executive leadership programs at Columbia, Harvard, and the Universities of Michigan and Pennsylvania. Participants will share their experiences and insights on how they used the leadership skills learned to create transformational change in their libraries. The featured speaker will be Dr. Adam Goodman, award-winning educator, researcher, and leadership guru who directs Northwestern University’s leadership program.
Speakers: Chris Bates, PLA Fellow, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklinburg County, N.C.; Dr. Adam Goodman, Director, Leadership Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.; Luis Herrera, Director, San Francisco (Calif.) Public Library; Lynn Hoffman, PLA Fellow, Allen County (Ind.) Public Library
Programs Cosponsored by PLA
Saturday, 7/11
3:30-5:30pm
Partnering with Service Organizations
LLAMA-PRMS cosponsored by PLA
McCormick Place West, W-194b
Sunday, 7/12
8:00am-10:00am
Re-thinking Staff Resources in the e-Serials Environment
ALCTS-CRS cosponsored by PLA
McCormick Place West, W-181
10:30am-12:00pm
Our Town, Common Ground: Academic Libraries’ Collaborations with Public Libraries
ACRL/CLS cosponsored by PLA
Chicago Hilton, Williford
1:30-3:00PM
New Selectors and Selecting in New Subjects: Meeting the Challenges
ALCTS-CMDS cosponsored by PLA
McCormick Place West, W-196b
3:30-5:30PM
Managing Preservation without a Preservation Librarian
ALCTS-PARS cosponsored by PLA
McCormick Place West, W-181
Monday, 7/13
1:30-3:00pm
And the Good News for Kids Is….: Preliminary Report on the NLG Research Study, “Do Summer Reading Programs Impact Student Achievement?”
ALSC cosponsored by PLA
McCormick Place West, W-190b
3:30-5:30pm
Growing Readers Together: Public Libraries and Schools Thrive in Partnership
ALSC cosponsored by PLA
McCormick Place West, W-178b
Committee Meetings
Sunday, 7/12
Palmer House, Grand Ballroom
8:00-8:15am
PLA Announcements at the All Committee Meeting
8:00-11:00am
All Committee Meeting
PLA Committee Meetings / All Committee Mtg. (confirm with your Chair)
Communities of Practice at the All Committee Meeting
8:45-11:00am (confirm with your Chair)
Annual Conference 2009 Program Subcommitee
Budget and Finance Committee
Endowment Task Force
Every Child Ready to Read Evaluation
Intellectual Freedom Advisory Group
Leadership Institute and Fellows
Legislative Advisory Group
Monday, 7/13
McCormick Place West, W-175a
8:00am-12:00pm
Board of Directors Meeting
PLA President's Program and Awards Presentation featuring Cokie Roberts
McCormick Place West, W-375
Monday, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Reception to follow program
Cokie Roberts is a political commentator for ABC News and a senior news analyst for National Public Radio. From 1996 to 2002, she and Sam Donaldson co-anchored the weekly ABC interview program, This Week. In addition to broadcasting, Roberts and her husband, Steven V. Roberts write a weekly column syndicated in newspapers around the country by United Media. Both are also contributing editors to USA Weekend, and together they wrote From This Day Forward, an account of their now more than 40-year marriage and other marriages in American history. The book immediately went onto the New York Times bestseller list, following a six-month run on the list by Roberts's first book on women in American history, We Are Our Mothers' Daughters. Roberts is also the author of the bestselling Founding Mothers. A mother of two and grandmother of six, she lives with her husband in Bethesda, Maryland. PLA is pleased to present Cokie Roberts through the support of HarperCollins.
Immediately following the presentation of awards and keynote address from Cokie Roberts, join PLA President Carol Sheffer at a fun-filled reception. Mingle with friends and colleagues and enjoy refreshments and entertainment from 6:30-8:00 p.m.