April 29 Statement from ALA

Statement

April 29, 2003

Keith Michael Fiels, Executive Director, American Library Association

The Executive Board of the American Library Association (ALA) today met in executive session to discuss the options available relating to the joint Annual Conference with the Canadian Library Association.

The ALA is taking the occurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Toronto very seriously, and the health of our members, staff, exhibitors and wider library community is our only consideration in determining whether or not to go to Toronto. We have consulted daily with regional, national and international health officials and monitored reports, including the lifting of the World Health Organization’s Toronto travel advisory.

The Executive Board has determined that it needs more time to review information and conclude its deliberations.
Further discussion has been scheduled for Friday morning. Information on the 2003 Annual Conference will be posted on the ALA home page and disseminated widely as soon as a decision is reached.

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