ALA President to participate in Illinois teleconference on libraries post-911

Contact: Larra Clark


312-280-5043



lclark@ala.org

For Immediate Release


February 4, 2002

ALA President to participate in Illinois teleconference on libraries post-911

American Library Association (ALA) President John W. Berry will participate in an Illinois teleconference on Wednesday, February 13, entitled: "September 11 Changed Our World; Has It Changed Our Libraries?" This free satellite teleconference will air from 10 a.m. to noon and is presented by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois State Library teleconference series.

The program will discuss how the events of September 11, 2001, have forced libraries to rethink longstanding policies, security issues, confidentiality concerns and other procedures. Topics will include the USA Patriot Act, the Illinois Library Confidentiality Act and keeping libraries as sources of complete and accurate information in today's environment.

"This free satellite teleconference provides an opportunity for members of the library community, patrons and others to ask questions of experts and get definitive answers as we examine vital issues that libraries face in our changed world," White said.

Berry will be joined on the expert panel by Karen Coyle, information technology specialist, California Digital Library, University of California; Leigh Estabrook, director, Library Research Center, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign; Phil Lenzini, partner, Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, P.C.; and Jean Wilkins, director, Illinois State Library.

The program can be seen at registration locations within Illinois, will air live via satellite on a KU Band signal and will be available via webcast. To view the webcast, Real Play 8 must be installed on your PC. Videotapes also will be available free of charge, and the webcast will be archived.

For a list of Illinois registration locations, satellite coordinates or webcast information, please send your inquiry by Monday, February 11, to Jill Heffernan at the Illinois State Library, 217-782-7848 or
jheffernan@ilsos.net.