YA author Patrick Jones to appear at 2007 Midwinter Advocacy Institute

Contact: Marci Merola

PR Specialist, Advocacy

312-280-2431

mmerola@ala.org

For Immediate Release

November 22, 2006

YA author Patrick Jones to appear at 2007 Midwinter Advocacy Institute

CHICAGO – Noted young adult author Patrick Jones will be part of a lunchtime panel discussion at the Advocacy Institute during the ALA 2007 Midwinter Meeting in Seattle. The discussion will focus on how to create library advocates beginning at the school and young adult levels. Jones is the author of “Things Change,” a 2004 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and a recipient of several honors including the Scholastic Library Publishing Award.

The Advocacy Institute takes place on January 19, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle. The morning session will focus on advocacy basics such as message development and coalition-building techniques. Afternoon sessions feature topics such as increasing library funding, maintaining budgets and crisis communications.

The Advocacy Institute is open to ALA members and non-members, including those who are not registered for the ALA 2007 Midwinter Meeting. Advance registration – available through December 8, 2006 – for ALA members and non-members is $25. Onsite registration is $50. All prices include lunch.

The Advocacy Institute is co-sponsored by YALSA and coordinated by the Advocacy Institute Task Force of the ALA Public Awareness Committee. For more information, visit www.ala.org/advocacyinstitute.

The Advocacy Institute is made possible by a grant from the Ford Foundation. For more information, visit www.fordfound.org.