Bookmobiles & Innovative Outreach Services is theme for 10th Annual Diversity and Outreach Fair

Contact: Tanga Morris
OLOS
312-280-4294
For Immediate Release
March 26, 2007

Bookmobiles & Innovative Outreach Services is theme

for 2007 Diversity and Outreach Fair

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) invites its members to participate in the 10th Annual Diversity and Outreach Fair on Saturday, June 23, 2007, 3 to 5 p.m. in the Washington Convention Center during the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Last year the fair successfully piloted a strategy of showcasing a range of programs with a common theme. The 2007 Diversity and Outreach Fair will focus on bookmobile and other innovative services to underserved communities.

The concept behind a theme-based fair is to encourage librarians to consider the many facets of a specific concern and facilitate the identification of workable strategies for serving their community's underserved populations. Participants in the 2007 Diversity and Outreach Fair should address at least one of the following topics concerning Bookmobiles and Innovative Outreach Services:

  • Bookmobiles and literacy programs
  • Bookmobile services to specific populations (new Americans, seniors, people with disabilities, homeless people, etc.)
  • Mobile access to technology
  • Planning and sustaining innovative services to other underserved communities not relating to bookmobiles

Sponsored by DEMCO, the ALA's Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) introduced the Diversity Fair at the 1997 Annual Conference. Over the years the fair has highlighted diversity-in-action initiatives from library outreach programs across the country. It encourages librarians addressing diversity programs, activities and services in local libraries to share their resources with others. Presenters share information in poster sessions and informal conversations with conference attendees.

Additional information about the 2007 Diversity and Outreach Fair, including the online entry form, is available at www.ala.org/divfair . Questions may be directed to Tanga Morris at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4294, ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611 or by e-mail to divfair@ala.org.