Ideas for building community connections, diversity in action initiatives sought for 2012 Diversity and Outreach Fair

CHICAGO — The ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) invites proposals for the 2012 Diversity and Outreach Fair, to be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 during the 2012 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif.

Generously sponsored by DEMCO, the ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair is an opportunity for libraries and member groups to share their successful diversity and outreach initiatives with ALA Annual Conference attendees, celebrate diversity in America’s libraries and exhibit “diversity in action” ideas. The theme of this year’s fair will be Building Community Connections.

In keeping with this year’s theme, the Diversity and Outreach Fair will feature examples of the many ways libraries forge relationships with a wide variety of organizations–including local schools, government agencies and non-profits–to deliver vital services to their communities.

Also considered for participation are proposals that highlight library services to underserved or underrepresented communities, including people with disabilities; poor and homeless populations; people of color; English-language learners; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; new Americans, new and non-readers; older adults; people living in rural areas; incarcerated people and ex-offenders; and mobile library services and bookmobiles.

Selected presenters will develop and facilitate a poster session to be held during the ALA 2012 Annual Conference in the exhibits hall. In addition, the participants will be asked to submit, in digital format, information and resources from their program for inclusion in the Virtual Diversity Fair on OLOS Columns Blog.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, May 4. Accepted proposals will be notified on a rolling basis as applications are received. For more information, and to apply, please visit www.ala.org/divfair.

About DEMCO

For over 100 years DEMCO (www.demco.com) has supported the valuable work of librarians—taking pride in providing the best service possible. DEMCO’s mission is to continue to anticipate future needs, to supply products and services that support the activities of library professionals and improve library environments by making them more attractive and user-friendly. The people of DEMCO demonstrate their continuing commitment to library professionals through their support of the Library Champions Program and participation at ALA’s conferences.

About OLOS

The Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) serves the Association by identifying and promoting library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in our libraries. OLOS focuses attention on services that are inclusive of traditionally underserved populations, including new and non-readers, people geographically isolated, people with disabilities, rural and urban poor people, and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, language and social class.