ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (Virtual) poised to be one of the largest virtual library conferences currently available

For Immediate Release
Fri, 06/11/2021

Contact:

Communications and Marketing Office

ALA Media Relations

CMO

cmo@ala.org

CHICAGO — The American Library Association offers 754 reasons to attend the 2021 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition -Virtual. With a content value of 251 educational sessions; 28 featured speakers; 175 author and exhibitor sessions; and 300 exhibitors, the Annual Conference is expected to be one of the top virtual library conferences available around the world.

Registration for the conference is open. Media interested in registering for the session may contact Macey Morales, deputy director, ALA Communications and Marketing Office at mmorales@ala.org

The conference launches on Wednesday, June 23 with The Library Marketplace. Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and illustrator Loren Long will open the day with a lively session, moderated by Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden.  The entire day will be dedicated to showcasing 300+ exhibitors with innovative resources for libraries; eight presentation stages that will highlight notable and genre-specific keynotes; publisher-led spotlight sessions on new book titles; networking opportunities, giveaways, and more. 

Educational sessions are available in the areas of Library Services, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Leadership, Teaching & Learning, Technology, Library Workplace, and more. Additionally, many of the News You Can Use series; interactive Discussion Groups; and President and Chair Programs provide an excellent opportunity for attendees for education and a bonus opportunity to share thoughts amongst their peers.

New highlights include two ALA Leader “In Conversation” LIVE sessions.  ALA President, Julius C. Jefferson, Jr. will sit down with IMLS Director, Crosby Kemper to discuss Kemper’s journey; his vision for IMLS; and what it’s like to lead the federal agency’s efforts to administer the largest single supplemental increase in funding in IMLS history—all while telecommuting from his home in Kansas City.  ALA President-Elect, Patricia “Patty” Wong will be “In Conversation” with new Chicago Public Library Commissioner, Chris Brown. They will discuss Brown’s return to Chicago; librarians moving to leadership roles; and his advice for librarians and students.

Also newly added to the featured speaker roster, magician and author, David Copperfield, hailed by critics as the greatest illusionist of our time and described by Forbes magazine as the most commercially successful magician in history. He has won twenty-one Emmy awards, was the first living illusionist to be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was named a Living Legend by the United States Library of Congress. He will discuss his new book, “David Copperfield’s History of Magic.”

Get updates from  the 2021 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (Virtual) website alaannual.org and follow the hashtag #alaac21 and social media: InstagramALA Twitter, and ALA Facebook.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.

 

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