ALA prepares to go Due North for joint CLA conference

Contact: Larra Clark


312-280-5043

For Immediate Release


April 14, 2003

ALA prepares to go “Due North” for joint CLA conference in Toronto, June 19-25

(Chicago)
Returning to its binational roots, the American Library Association will head to Canada for a rare joint conference in Toronto, June 19-25.
A record number of programs and events will be available to more than 25,000 Canadian and U.S. librarians, publishers and guests.

The 2003 joint conference will be the world’s largest and most comprehensive annual library event and exhibition.
Highlights include:

  • “Due North: A Cross-Border Dialogue” – a two-day preconference organized by the Canadian Library Association to explore and celebrate the richness of the Canadian library community’s innovative services and leading-edge programs
  • Capitalizing on a national trend, the ALA will launch the first conference-wide reading and discussion series, One Conference, One Book, featuring Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid Tale.”
    Discussion sessions will be held Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and Atwood will keynote the Public Library Association (PLA) President’s Program Monday evening.
  • The popular Auditorium Speaker Series will feature Gloria Steinem and Eleanor Smeal Saturday morning.
  • Songs and Stories from Clyde Edgerton and the Rank Strangers Band will highlight the power of public programs in libraries Saturday afternoon.
  • Ralph Nader will keynote the Sunday afternoon President’s Program.
  • The LIVE! @ your library reading stage will feature authors and poets including Naomi Shihab Nye, Robert Creeley and Karin Slaughter Saturday through Monday
  • More than 1,600 booths will feature products and services, as well as special “meet the author” signings and poster sessions

“It’s been more than 40 years since we shared the stage with the Canadian LibraryAssociation, and we welcome this opportunity to go back,” said ALA President Maurice J. Freedman.

Conference registration has been on pace, despite some recent concerns about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
ALA and CLA continue to monitor health news, but are glad to be among the more than 100 organizations holding conferences and meetings in Toronto in coming months.

Get the latest news by clicking “Events and Conferences” off the ALA’s home page,
www.ala.org. For advance press registration, please email to
pio@ala.org or call 312-280-5044.

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