ALA Press Release
NEWS
For Immediate Release
December 17, 2012
Contact: Jennifer Petersen
ALA PR Coordinator
312-280-5043
jpetersen@ala.org
Caroline Kennedy, Steven Johnson inspire change at
ALA Midwinter Meeting
CHICAGO – Authors have a unique ability to inspire change in the world and the ways in which we view it – whether it be through a book of stories, a biography, poetry or accounts of true life. This January, inspirational authors Caroline Kennedy and Steven Johnson will address thousands with their stories of inspiration during the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting, held Jan. 25 – 29, in Seattle.
On Saturday, Jan. 26, Steven Johnson, the best-selling author of eight books will speak from 10 – 11 a.m. As an expert on contemporary culture, Johnson offers a unique and inspiring look into the future through intersecting science, technology and personal experience. Based on the ideas of his most recent release, “Future Perfect: The Case for Progress in a Networked Age,” Johnson will discuss political change its ability to transform our daily world.
Named by Newsweek as one of the “Fifty People Who Matter Most on the Internet,” Johnson frequently writes for national news outlets such as “The New York Times,” “The Wall Street Journal” and “The Financial Times.” Johnson is also a contributing editor to Wired and has appeared on many high profile television programs such as “The Charlie Rose Show,” The Daily Show with John Stewart,” and NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.”
On Sunday, Jan. 27, Caroline Kennedy will speak from 10 – 11 a.m. Kennedy is the best-selling author/editor of 10 books including the forthcoming “Poems to Learn by Heart” (March 2013). Well known for continuing the strong Kennedy family tradition of public service and charitable work, Kennedy is also a strong advocate for reading, literacy and libraries.
Serving as the Vice Chair of the New York City Fund for Public Schools for the last decade (2002-2012), Kennedy also serves on the board of News Visions for Public Schools, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the Institute of Politics at Harvard University. Kennedy has also been named the 2013 Honorary Chair of National Library Week (April 14 – 20, 2013), which celebrates the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians.
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 60,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.
For more information on the ALA Midwinter Meeting, please visit www.ala.org/midwinter. For advance press registration or to schedule an interview, contact Macey Morales at (312) 280-4393, mmorales@ala.org, or Jennifer Petersen at (312) 280-5043, jpetersen@ala.org.