For immediate release | March 7, 2012

Vote for the talks you want to hear at ALA Annual Conference

CHICAGO —Public voting is now open through March 25, 2012 for more than 50 talks in two new formats to determine which sessions will be added to this year’s Annual Conference program.

For the first time this year, ALA opened a general call for “Conversation Starter” talks, fast-paced 45-minute sessions intended to jumpstart conversations and highlight emerging topics and trends. To vote for your favorite Conversation Starters, go to http://connect.ala.org/ala12csvoting.

In addition, ALA is running a series of Ignite sessions that give presenters five minutes to share what they’re most passionate about in the library world and inspire an audience to join them. Ignite speakers present for exactly five minutes, accompanied by 20 slides. Each slide is displayed for 15 seconds, with slides advancing automatically. To vote for the Ignite sessions that will inspire you, go to http://connect.ala.org/ala12ivoting.

The public votes will be weighted for 30% of the selection process; staff votes will account for another 30%, while the remaining 40% will be decided by an advisory group of ALA members.

And if you have an idea for a different session, there’s still time to submit it for the 2012 ALA Virtual Conference on July 18-19, 2012. Proposals for the “Mapping Transformation” program can be submitted through March 25, 2012, at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ala12vccall.

Find out about the many other ALA Annual Conference & Exhibits highlights as they’re added—speakers, events, networking opportunities, and more. And for general information about the meeting in Anaheim, Calif., June 21-26, 2012, visit us at www.alaannual.org. Save money with Early Bird Registration, open until midnight, Sunday, May 13, 2012.

ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition--Transforming Our Libraries, Ourselves

2012 ALA Virtual Conference—“Mapping Transformation”--July 18-19. Registration information and other details coming in April.

Contact:

Mary Mackay