YALSA to host preconference on audiobooks at ALA's Annual Conference

Contact: Nichole Gilbert


YALSA


312-280-4387


ngilbert@ala.org

For Immediate Release


December 19, 2005

YALSA to host preconference on audiobooks at ALA's Annual Conference

CHICAGO - The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is hosting a preconference on audiobooks,
Reading with Your Ears. The preconference, which will take place on Friday, June 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., during ALA's Annual Conference in New Orleans, June 23 – 29, 2006, will feature all things teen audiobook.

Participants will explore curriculum connections, the art of narration, teen appeal factors, producers' plans, and listen to reviewers speaking about how to critique audiobooks. In addition, technology issues around traditional and new audiobook formats will be discussed, including downloadable options. Throughout the day there will be expert panelists including teen actors who work in the audiobook business, reviewers from AudioFile,
Booklist, VOYA, and
Kliatt and keynote speakers including author Tamora Pierce.

“The audiobook industry is one of the fastest growing in the publishing world, so I'm very pleased that YALSA is sponsoring a preconference that will examine all aspects of this format,” said Pam Spencer Holley, YALSA president. “We expect large numbers of registrants, so think about signing up today and securing your spot for Annual. If you want a preview of one of the keynote speakers, Tamora Pierce has narrated quite a few audiobooks, which I bet you can find in your own library.”

Registration for this event is available on line until May 19 at
www.ala.org/annual.

For more information about YALSA, please contact us via e-mail,
yalsa@ala.org; or by phone at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4390.