Hello from Chicago! I am happy to share my first report from the ALA annual conference with you all. We received the news today that, despite the economic downturn, registrations for this conference have broken attendance records.
Our first council meeting is about to begin. On the agenda are a number of resolutions and reports. The ALA executive director reported on efforts to increase broadband throughout the country and to help libraries to claim some of the stimulus money available. One piece of news that Vermont librarians might find interesting is that the Washington Office will not be holding a library legislation day in Washington in 2010. Instead, because the ALA annual conference is in Washington, DC, there will be a rally on the mall with banners from each state on Tuesday. Vermont needs to decide what should be on their banner and let the ALA Washington Office know.
A traveling display that Vermont libraries might be interested in is “Harry Potter’s World”– information is at www.ala.org/harrypotter. A new publication available through PLA might also be on interest. 100 Best Books to Read in Kindergarten is available at www.store.ala.org. YA librarians may want to check out the Teens Top Ten List at www.ala.org/teenstopten.
Tonight I attend the 40th Anniversary of the Freedom to Read Gala at the Art Institute of Chicago. More tomorrow!
Your ALA Councilor,
Nancy Wilson