For immediate release | February 7, 2017

2017 Charlemae Rollins President's Program on Families & Digital Technology

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced the theme and speakers for the 2017 Charlemae Rollins President’s Program. The topic of the program will be digital technology and its relationship to childhood development and childhood literacy. The featured panel will include Chip Donohue from the Erikson Institute, Sarah R. Lytle from the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington and Lisa Regalla from the Center for Childhood Creativity.

Digital technology impacts all areas of life: brain development, learning styles and interpersonal relationships. Experts in the field have gathered to present the latest research on digital-age technology and its relationship to childhood development and childhood literacy. This program will provide attendees with innovative ways for librarians to enhance their professional development and grow into their role as media mentors for children and caregivers.

“With all the work that ALSC has done in media mentorship, we’re pleased to highlight some of the premier minds in the field,” said Charlemae Rollins President's Program Planning Committee Co-chair Christopher Brown. "All three individuals will bring unique perspectives on how to support families in the evolving digital age.”

"This is a topic that affects all librarians, parents, and caregivers," said Charlemae Rollins President's Program Planning Committee Co-chair Linda Ernst. "Librarians serving youth will gain so much insight into how children develop and how we can empower parents in the digital age."

The ALSC Charlemae Rollins President's Program is sponsored in-part by the Charlemae Hill Rollins endowment. During her distinguished career in librarianship, Rollins was a critical voice in expanding materials that addressed the black experience. Among her numerous awards, she became the first black woman to receive an honorary membership in ALA, an honor bestowed upon her in 1972.

ALSC, a division of the ALA, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit ALSC’s website at www.ala.org/alsc.

Contact:

Dan Bostrom

Marketing Manager, Membership

ALSC

dbostrom@ala.org

3124373182