ASCLA offers exclusive preconferences at 2015 Annual

CHICAGO — The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is offering three preconferences during the 2015 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco. With three exclusive programs, ASCLA strives to offer something of interest to learners at every level.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) In Your Library
The training staff of the Pacific ADA Center has tailored this preconference training program for the specialized needs libraries face with ADA questions and issues. Preconference session topics will include:

• an overview of the ADA – who and what it covers;
• excellent customer service skills and appropriate terminology to use with library patrons with disabilities;
• effective communication with patrons who have vision and hearing disabilities;
• accessible technology and how libraries can use it;
• hiring and accommodation of library staff with disabilities;
• the basics about service animals;
• the ADA quiz - how much do you know?

This preconference is ideal for library staff assigned as ADA coordinator for their library, or anyone else with an interest in the ADA. Co-sponsored by Universal Access and Library Services for People with Visual or Physical Disabilities that Prevent Them from Reading Standard Print Interest Groups. This preconference will take place from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday, June 26. Location will be announced. Read more. Register here.

Looking to the Future: Strategic Foresight and Scenario Planning
Go beyond trend-spotting and learn how professional futurists leverage strategic foresight tools and approaches to look and see the big picture of where we are headed. Join our presenters, two consultants trained in Foresight by the University of Houston, as they lead hands-on activities where you will learn tools and techniques you can leverage for creating future scenarios at your own organization. This preconference will have maximum value for those interested in strategic planning, scenario planning, trend-spotting, futurism and anticipating significant changes that lie ahead. Brought to you by the Library Consultants Interest Group. This preconference will take place from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday, June 26. Location will be announced.  Read more. Register here.

The A to Z of RFPs: Writing, Responding, Evaluating, and Awarding Requests for Proposals
Managing a courier service requires a thorough understanding of the request for proposals (RFPs) process, from writing them through awarding them. Take advantage of the in-depth knowledge and experience this group of managers and directors have garnered through creating, responding to, evaluating and awarding RFPs, as well as assessing performance once the RFP has been awarded. Brought to you by the Physical Delivery Interest Group. This preconference will take place from 8 a.m. - noon on Friday, June 26. Read more. Register here.

All of ASCLA's preconferences are valuable for library staff at any level of experience. No matter your area of interest, ASCLA offers something for everyone.

Preconference advanced registration ends at noon (CST) June 20. Add this event to your conference registration *or* you can register for this event without attending the ALA Annual Conference. For rates or more information on this and other valuable ALA Annual Conference programs, please visit the 2015 ALA Annual Conference website.

The Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) is the premiere destination for ALA members to find information and build capacity to serve populations that are served by state library agencies, specialized libraries, library cooperatives and library consultants. ASCLA enhances the effectiveness of library service by advocating for and providing high quality networking, enrichment and educational opportunities for its diverse members, who represent state library agencies, libraries serving special populations, library cooperatives, and library consultants. Please visit our website at http://www.ala.org/ascla/.