New ALA Annual Conference programs help librarians develop cultural programs at their libraries

Contact: Laura Hayes


312-280-5055


lhayes@ala.org

For Immediate Release


May 2002

New ALA Annual Conference programs help librarians develop cultural programs at their libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office announces several new educational programs at the ALA's upcoming Annual Conference in Atlanta, June 13-19, 2002. The programs help librarians from all types of libraries develop and host cultural programs for adult and family audiences.

The highlight of the ALA Public Programs Office conference activities is a full-day preconference workshop for librarians interested in building and improving cultural programs for adults at their libraries. On Friday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., "Creating Community Dialogue: Cultural Programs for Adults" will help librarians find funding; create cultural programs that suit their communities; assemble grant proposals; and identify arts and humanities partners. The program features a "live" model program with exclusive appearances by award-winning authors Colson Whitehead ("John Henry Days," "The Intuitionist") and Kevin Young ("To Repel Ghosts," "Most Way Home"); panel discussions with expert librarians, representatives from arts and humanities organizations and ALA staff; and resource roundtables where experts from arts and humanities organizations, publishers, libraries and ALA offices will answer participants' questions face-to-face.

Panelists include Frances Ashburn, North Carolina Center for the Book; Ann Davis, Georgia Council for the Arts; Linda Holtslander, Loudoun County (Va.) Public Library; Esther Mackintosh, Federation of State Humanities Councils; Steve Sumerford, Greensboro (N.C.) Public Library; Troy Swanson, Moraine Valley Community College Library in Palos Hills, Ill.; and Deb Robertson and Laura Hayes, ALA Public Programs Office.

Other programs sponsored by the ALA Public Programs Office include:

  • "Culture Unplugged: Authors, Artists and Musicians LIVE! @ your library," a discussion of the LIVE! @ your library project, which provides grant opportunities to libraries presenting appearances by literary, visual and performing artists to explore theme-based issues and ideas. The program features best-selling Southern Authors Jill McCorkle ("Creatures of Habit") and Lee Smith ("The Last Girls") and will be held Sunday, June 16, from 8:30 to 10 a.m., in GWCC, Room B306.
  • "Talking About Dying Won't Kill You: Resources for End of Life Programs" featuring author Mark Nepo ("The Book of Awakening" and audiobook "Inside the Miracle"), healthcare experts and librarians with experience in end of life programming. The program is presented by Last Acts and will be held Sunday, June 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in GWCC, Room B306.
  • At "PRIME TIME: Tuning into Family Literacy," panelists from humanities organizations, libraries and the ALA will discuss PRIME TIME FAMILY READING TIME®, a reading, storytelling and discussion series designed to help under-served families bond around the act of reading and learning together. The program is presented by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and will be held Monday, June 17 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in GWCC, Room A403.
  • A panel of renowned poets and educators will host "A Place for Poetry: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Poetry in Your Library" on Monday, June 17. Based on the Poetry in the Branches model, this program will feature poetry readings, workshops and nuts-and-bolts information on working with poetry in your library. The program is presented by Poets House and will be held in GWCC, Room B403. Part One will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Part Two will be held from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Participants are welcome to attend one session only, or the full day.
  • "Pass the Popcorn, Please: Viewing and Discussion Series for Adults in Libraries" will teach participants how to present film discussion series using examples from "Presidents, Politics, and Power," a film series on American presidents of the 20th century. The program is presented by National Video Resources and will be held Monday, June 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in GWCC, Room B306.
  • Admission to all events, except the preconference, is free.

The mission of the
ALA Public Programs Office is to foster cultural programming as an integral part of library service in all types of libraries. Established in 1990, the office helps thousands of libraries nationwide develop and host programs that encourage dialogue among community members and works to establish libraries as cultural centers in their communities.