For immediate release | May 7, 2012
Event of the year for reading fanatics—hundreds of options at ALA Annual Conference
CHICAGO — The 2012 ALA Annual Conference is shaping up to offer hundreds of possibilities and opportunities for supporters of reading, books, publishing and related activities.
The impressive lineup of dynamic authors, entertainers and thought leaders includes: John Irving; George R. R. Martin; Ernest Cline; Erin Morgenstern; Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver; Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer; Rachel DeWoskin; Sapphire; Chris Colfer; Brooke Hauser; Sherman Alexie; John Jantsch; Dan Rather; Rebecca MacKinnon; Duane Bray; David Weinberger; Dan Ariely; J.R. Martinez; William Kamkwamba; Gaby Rodrigues; Talia Leman; and dozens more.
The wide range of events, programs, exhibits and other opportunities can be found in the Scheduler, Programming Librarian Guide or on the conference website. Highlights include:
- Hundreds of authors speaking in programs, at the Book Buzz Theater, and ready to chat, take photos and sign books at the following events and spaces in the exhibits: Meet the Authors; Live@Your Library Reading Stage, Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage; Zine Pavilion; What’s Cooking @ ALA Cookbook Demo Stage; PopTop Stage; and more.
- Stacks of advance reading copy giveaways in the exhibits.
- More titles in the exhibits than at other conferences—publishers know that librarians look for depth and breadth, not just hot new titles.
- Award-related events including presentations and celebrations for the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Coretta Scott King and other awards--and the first ever Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction announcements and awards ceremony with Nancy Pearl and winners.
- An evening with the Rock Bottom Remainders.
- YALSA's Coffee Klatch with 40 YA authors.
Attendees can rock out at the ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash with the famous Rock Bottom Remainders at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 23. The shining literary lights (hailed by critics as having “one of the world’s highest ratios of noise to talent”) scheduled to appear are Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Amy Tan, Scott Turow, Mitch Albom, James McBride, Roy Blount, Jr., Matt Groening, Stephen King, Kathi Goldmark, Janine Sabino, Greg Iles, Sam Barry and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds.
Now Showing @ ALA Film Program offers films and documentaries with the chance to meet some of the writers, directors, and subjects. Details are in the Film Program schedule.
Use the Conference Scheduler to plan your time, create your calendar and find out about many other Annual Conference highlights as they’re added — speakers, events, networking opportunities and more. Visit the 2012 ALA Annual Conference website for general information about the conference. Get the best discount with Early Bird Registration, open until midnight, Sunday, May 13, 2012.
ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition—Transforming Our Libraries, Ourselves
Contact:
Mary Mackay
Director, Marketing
American Library Association
mmackay@ala.org800-545-2433 ext.1532
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