ALA offers November Lawyers for Libraries training institute in Columbus
Jonathan Kelley
Office for Intellectual Freedom
(312) 280-4226
For Immediate Release
September 12, 2006
ALA offers November Lawyers for Libraries
training institute in Columbus
CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) will be presenting the eighth regional Lawyers for Libraries Training Institute in Columbus, Ohio, November 3, 2006.
As with previous trainings, the institute is intended primarily to equip attorneys with the tools they need to defend effectively the First Amendment in libraries.
Participants will be instructed by practicing attorneys specializing in First Amendment law and will be eligible for continuing legal education (CLE) credits for their participation.
Among the topics to be covered during the institute are:
* Privacy, law enforcement requests and the USA PATRIOT Act;
* Internet filtering and the ongoing repercussions of the Supreme Court's CIPA decision;
* Library liability for exposing patrons and staff to unprotected speech;
* Harmful to minors statutes - updates in the laws and the implications for libraries;
* Challenged and banned books; and
* Meeting rooms, display cases, literature tables, and other public forum issues.
In addition, there will be a panel of librarians discussing their real-world experiences in public, school and academic libraries.
"Libraries today need committed, informed attorneys to provide clear guidance and expertise," said ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) Director Judith F. Krug. "The Lawyers for Libraries regional training institutes ensure that attendees know about the most up-to-date, accurate and relevant legislation and case law related to the First Amendment in libraries. The best part is that we've been able to create a network of attorneys throughout the country, who continue to work with OIF and share information with each other about censorship and privacy issues, policy development, and crisis management."
While Lawyers for Libraries is primarily designed for attorneys and library trustees, librarians are welcome to attend the training provided that an attorney accompanies them.
To register for the Lawyers for Libraries institute, or if you have any questions, contact Jonathan Kelley, (800) 545-2433 x4226, or e-mail
jkelley@ala.org. Online registration and additional information are available at
www.ala.org/lawyers. The cost to attend an institute is $395.00 for one and $745.00 for two. Breakfast and lunch are included in the cost of registration.
The training institute will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Columbus Metropolitan Library's Main Branch, 96 S. Grant Ave. For those coming from out of town, the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown (35 West Spring Street) is offering a rate of $119/$129 night (single/double) for attendees. Reserve your room by calling (800) 321-2211 and referencing "American Library Association" or by visiting
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/CMHCY and entering code alaalaa for a single or alaalab for a double room. The rate is good for reservations made by October 13. For those arriving before or staying beyond the night of November 2, you must make your reservation by phone to ensure the group rate.
