Record-breaking 27,800 attend 2005 ALA Annual Conference
Contact:
Larra Clark
ALA Media Relations Manager
312-280-5043
For Immediate Release
June 29, 2005
Record-breaking 27,800 attend 2005 ALA Annual Conference
Michael Gorman inaugurated as 2005-2006 ALA president
(CHICAGO) Approximately 27,800 attendees and exhibitors attended the 2005 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago, June 23 to 29.
This compares with 19,575 total attendees at the 2004 ALA Conference in Orlando.
Michael Gorman, dean of Library Services at the Henry Madden Library, California State University, Fresno, begins his term as 2005-2006 ALA President today.
Among the top issues discussed at the world's largest library convention were: the USA PATRIOT Act and legislative efforts to amend sections of the Act, library funding cuts of at least $111 million as of April, state legislative efforts to restrict access to gay and lesbian books, Googlization, outreach to a growing Spanish-speaking population, and the future roles of libraries as a physical place in an increasingly electronic age.
Following a rousing welcome from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, U.S. Senator Barack Obama drew more than 8,000 attendees to the ALA Opening General Session.
In his remarks, Obama hearkened back to his 2004 Democratic National Convention to discuss the need to protect reader privacy and the need for literacy and education in a global economy. A copy of the speech will be published in a future issue of
American Libraries.
"When political groups try to censor great works of literature, you're the ones putting Huck Finn and Catcher in the Rye back on the shelves, making sure that our right to free thought and free information is protected," Obama said.
"And ever since we've had to worry about our own government looking over our shoulders in the library, you've been there to stand up and speak out on privacy issues. You're full-time defenders of the most fundamental American liberties, and for that, you deserve America's deepest gratitude."
Results from a new report sponsored by the ALA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also were announced during the conference.
The study, conducted by Florida State University, found that U.S. public libraries are providing unprecedented access to computers, the Internet and technology training - and that 85 percent of libraries report they are not able to meet all of the demand at certain times of the day.
"Libraries connect communities with information and knowledge, but we must work together to ensure they stay connected for generations to come," said Martha Choe, director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Libraries program.
While visits to libraries continue to climb over 1.2 billion every year, libraries have seen funding cuts topping $110 million in the past two years.
To see the full report on "Public Libraries and the Internet 2004: Survey Results and Findings," please visit
http://www.ii.fsu.edu/plinternet.cfm.
"Dewey et al For My Baby" from Madison, Wis., bested a field of 14 from across the country in the first Bookcart Drill Team Championship. Right on their heels was the "Thousand Oaks Library Precision Drill Team" from Newbury Park, Calif., and the "Readin' & Rollin'" team from Batavia, Ohio.
ALA past president Sarah Long provided color commentary, and Linda McCracken, co-author of "The Library Book Cart Precision Drill Team Manual"; John Wall, Chairman of the Board of DEMCO; and ALA Treasurer Teri Switzer judged the competition.
Drill teams consist of up to 12 library staff members that march in formation with stylized book carts and perform dance routines. The teams help increase the visibility of local libraries and help shatter the stereotype of quiet librarians. Demco sponsored the bookcart championship.
Closing General Session keynote Henry Winkler opened his remarks Tuesday, June 28, talking about the library staff he'd met at his book signing Monday.
"The myth of Marion the Librarian is dead," he declared.
His remarks focused on children and reading.
The 2006 ALA Annual Conference will be held in New Orleans, June 22-28.
For more information on the ALA, please visit
www.ala.org.
