Tour Spain in the spring: ASCLA hosts monumental fundraising trip

CHICAGO — Bienvenidos a España! Join the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) March 26 - April 4, 2014 for a grand library tour of Spain!

Destinations for this Spanish adventure include Barcelona, Seville and Madrid.

Previous fundraising trips hosted by ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), include France, Ireland and a sold out trip to Italy. This adventure is open to everyone, not just the library community. There are no membership requirements in order to participate. Travelers are welcome to bring spouses, siblings and friends.

Travelers will arrive in Barcelona on March 27. In Barcelona you will tour the city, La Sagrada Família and Park Güell, two of Antonio Gaudí’s master creations, the Barcelona Public Library and Las Ramblas. The next stop will be Seville, with a tour of the landmark Alcázar, Archivo General de Indias and Biblioteca Colombina, which houses documents about explorations to the “New World,” including drawings and letters from Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus), Hernán Cortés and other conquistadors. After Seville, you will travel to Madrid with a stop en route in Córdoba to visit the Mezquita. The Mezquita is an incredible Church that has been a Mosque, Synagogue and Catholic Church, all of which contribute to its breathtaking decoration. Lastly, there will be a tour of the Prado, the main Spanish national art museum in Madrid. Download a complete trip itinerary (Word Doc).

Those interested in making a reservation should contact Michael Stilwell at Lyceum Tours (lyceum46@gmail.com). The cost of the trip is $2,739 plus airfare. A deposit in the amount of $500 is due by Jan. 20 to reserve your space, with the balance due by Feb. 25.

ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Not an ASCLA member, but interested in forming new interest groups, receiving discounted registration rates on ASCLA preconferences and online courses, and other important membership benefits? Join, renew or add ASCLA to your ALA membership at www.ala.org/membership.