RUSA to offer preconference, “Midwest Genealogy Hospitality,” during Annual Conference on June 24
Contact: Eileen Hardy
Marketing Specialist
312-280-4398
ehardy@ala.org
For Immediate Release
March 3, 2005
RUSA to offer preconference, “Midwest Genealogy Hospitality,” during Annual Conference on June 24
CHICAGO— The History Section of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) is offering a preconference, “Midwest Genealogy Hospitality: Behind the Genealogy Reference Desk” on Friday, June 24, 2005, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., during the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago.
At this one-day educational event attendees will learn about the genealogical sources available in our nation's heartland and how to expertly access the resources to assist patrons interested in ancestry research.
The preconference is being held at the Newberry Library (
www.newberry.org), an independent research library and educational institution dedicated to the expansion and dissemination of knowledge in the humanities. It is one of the world's leading repositories of a broad range of books and manuscripts relating to the civilizations of Western Europe and the Americas. The library is located in the historic Washington Square District that was founded in 1842. The park later was known as “Bughouse Square,” when it became a public forum for soapbox orators.
As part of the day's events, attendees will be given a tour of the Newberry Library, including an exhibit of rare local history and genealogical materials. The library's collections number 1,500,000 printed titles, five million manuscript pages, and 300,000 historic maps.
Preconference speakers are: James Hansen, F.A.S.G., genealogy reference librarian, Library – Archives, Wisconsin Historical Society; Don Jackanicz, archivist, Great Lakes Region, National Archives & Records Administration; Jack Simpson, curator, Local and Family History, Newberry Library; Tom Kemp, director, Godfrey Memorial Library.
For more preconference information please visit
http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaevents/rusaannual/rusapreconference/RUSApreconference.htm. Tickets for the preconference can be purchased in advance when registering for ALA Annual Conference (
http://www.ala.org/ala/eventsandconferencesb/annual/2005a/registration.htm) or to add it to an existing registration call ALA member and customer service at 1-800-545-2433, press option #5 and add event #RU3 to your existing registration.
