ALA Brings Advocacy Presence to REFORMA National Conference
Contact: Satia M. Orange
Director, ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services
(312) 280-4295
sorange@ala.org
NEWS
For Immediate Release
August 12, 2008
CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) will host an advocacy program at The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA) 3rd National Conference, Sept. 18 - 21 in El Paso, Texas.
ALA’s Advocacy Institute, entitled “Making our Voices Heard,” will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18. The workshop will offer advocacy essentials such as message development and coalition building and offers a valuable opportunity to network and share ideas with library advocates who work to meet the information needs of the Latino community. Attendees will leave with the tools necessary to become better advocates for their bilingual and multicultural communities and campuses. Guest speakers will include Mario Ascencio, immediate past-president of REFORMA and Jim Rettig, 2008-2009 ALA president.
“We are excited to offer the Institute at the REFORMA conference to provide resources and information for library stakeholders advocating on behalf of Latino and the Spanish-speaking members of our communities,” said Carol Brey-Casiano, Conference Planning Committee co-chair and ALA Advocacy Committee chair.
In addition to the Institute, 2008-2009 ALA President-Elect Dr. Camila A. Alire will present “Adelante! Library Services for Your Latino Communities.” The pre-conference session from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 17 will focus on marketing.
About REFORMA
Established in 1971 as an affiliate of the ALA, REFORMA has actively sought to promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share our goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population with regard to the availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos.
Hosted in a city that boasts the largest international border community in the world, the 3rd National REFORMA Conference will allow attendees to share their knowledge, know-how and passion for excellence in serving the needs of Latinos and the Spanish-speaking.
For more information on the National Conference and to register, please visit
www.reforma.org.
