Complete program for new ALA Masters Series at ALA 2012 Midwinter Meeting

For Immediate Release
Tue, 11/29/2011

Contact:

Mary Mackay L

CHICAGO - Sprinkled throughout the ALA 2012 Midwinter Meeting schedule, the new ALA Masters Series offers insights into the hottest trends and issues as it showcases experts from across library specialties describing their latest in-house innovations in fast-paced 30-minute sessions. The line-up for the January meeting is now complete.

“Re-imagining the Public Library in a Post-Recession Economy" addresses how Dallas Public Library is rethinking everything as it transitions out of the Great Recession of 2008. Mobile technology allows staff to deliver service at point of contact; an innovation incubator provides opportunities for assistance to those wanting to start a micro-business; and a renewed commitment to library services in a digital age has staff focused on the customer's experience. Saturday, Jan. 21, 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Carl Lennertz will describe how attendees can be part of World Book Night, a one-million free book giveaway to underserved readers across the United States on April 23, 2012. Librarians, as well as booksellers, will be asked to be volunteer book givers, and libraries and bookstores will serve as drop points for the books. Lennertz launches World Book Night after bookselling at Walden and Macy's, working in sales at Random House and serving as marketing director at Knopf, as associate publisher at Little Brown and as vice president of sales at HarperCollins -- in the midst of which he also launched Book Sense. Sunday, Jan. 22, 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.

The hour-long Special Masters session, “A Library occupies Occupy Wall Street,” is a Midwinter bonus. Attendees will learn first hand from three of the People’s Library builders, librarians Betsy Fagin, Mandy Henk and Zachary Loeb, about their experiences in building the People's Library and being part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Saturday, Jan. 21, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Other Midwinter Meeting highlights include: David Lankes leading small groups to discuss “Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities;” Rich Harwood in the ALA President's Program on making public life more hopeful; the second annual Midwinter Wrap Up/Rev Up with Lisa Loeb and perennial Midwinter favorites, including Auditorium Speakers (Susan Cain, John Green); ERT/Booklist Author Forum (Hillary Jordan, Helen Schulman in conversation with Brad Hooper); Arthur Curley Memorial Lecture (Jamal Joseph); ALA Youth Media Awards; RUSA Book and Media Awards; and ALTAFF Gala Author Tea and Spotlight on Adult Literature.

ALA Midwinter Meeting is Jan. 20-24, 2012 in Dallas. Register now so you don’t miss out on this chance to join the conversation as you enrich your career and your library. Further information about memorable speakers and events is available on the ALA Midwinter Meeting website.