New luncheon speakers added to PLA 2008 lineup

Contact: Angela Thullen


PLA, Marketing Specialist


312-280-5023



athullen@ala.org
For Immediate Release,


October 30, 2007

New luncheon speakers added to PLA 2008 lineup

CHICAGO - The Public Library Association (PLA) is pleased to announce three new luncheon speakers have been added to the slate of events for PLA 2008, the 12th National Conference. Arthur and Pauline Frommer will keynote the Thursday Adult Author Luncheon from noon to 1:45 p.m. on March 27, and Louise Erdrich will deliver the keynote address at the Friday Adult Author Luncheon from noon to 1:45 p.m. on March 28. Tickets for these events can be purchased at
www.placonference.org.




Arthur Frommer's career in travel began when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and assigned to U.S. Army Intelligence in Germany shortly after his graduation from Yale Law School. In the course of that service, Arthur's love of travel blossomed, and he wrote “The GI's Guide to Traveling in Europe.” Today, Frommer's® travel guides, published by Wiley, Inc., consist of more than 340 titles. He also writes a syndicated travel column and presents a weekly nationwide radio program devoted to travel. In addition to writing 30 yearly editions of his guidebook to Europe, he has written numerous other guides to destinations in the U.S. and abroad; published hundreds of magazine articles; and is the author of five annual editions of a path-breaking analysis of the entire travel industry entitled “The New World of Travel.”




Pauline Frommer is the creator of the new Pauline Frommer guidebooks, a line of savvy, budget-conscious guidebooks. Her book, “Pauline Frommer's New York City” was named "Best Guidebook of the Year" by the North American Travel Journalists Association. In addition, she co-hosts The Travel Show with her father, Arthur Frommer. The show is heard on more than 100 radio stations nationwide. She also appears weekly on CNNOnline.com to discuss the latest trends in travel and is a frequent guest on MSNBC, CNN, FOX and Business Week Weekend. PLA thanks Wiley Publishing for its support of this event.




Louise Erdrich is the author of 12 novels, as well as volumes of poetry, children's books and a memoir of early motherhood. She lives in Minnesota and is the owner of Birchbark Books, a small independent bookstore. Her new book, “The Plague of Doves,” is scheduled to go on sale April 29. PLA thanks HarperCollins for its support of the Friday Adult Author Luncheon.




Offered biennially, the PLA National Conference is the premier event for public libraries, drawing librarians, library support staff, trustees, Friends and library vendors from across the country and around the world. The conference includes more than 150 top-quality continuing education programs, preconferences and talk tables, plus several social events and networking opportunities and a bustling exhibits hall. PLA 2008, the PLA 12th National Conference, will be held March 25-29 in Minneapolis.




For more information about PLA 2008, visit the National Conference Web site,
www.placonference.org. For more information about other PLA events and programs, contact the PLA office at
pla@ala.org or 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA's Web site at
www.pla.org.




PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA's core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.