ALA's Midwinter Must-See Events

First off, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of ALA, will host a one-day preconference workshop on collaboration and leadership skills. Another workshop, hosted by the Association of College and Research Libraries, will offer creative ideas to introduce information literacy across the curriculum. Ross Todd, an associate professor at Rutgers University's School of Information and Library Studies, will talk about the importance of evidence-based practice—or effective ways to document the impact of librarians on student achievement (see "Irrefutable Evidence," April 2003, pp. 52–52). And an ALA-Allied Professional Association Information session will give attendees an update on how this nonprofit arm of ALA is working to promote the interests of librarians. The President's Program will focus on how libraries are coping with the filtering rules under the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Finally, make sure to catch the ALA Presidential/Treasurer Candidates Forum to find out more about the candidates running for those respective offices. Here's a brief description of some must-see events and their schedules:

AASL Leadership Institute: Leading Through Collaboration

Thursday, January 8, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. This daylong workshop by library consultant Betty Bankhead will help you gain leadership skills and provide strategies for meeting the challenges in your school and in the profession. The seminar focuses on the three fundamental tenets of Information Power (ALA Editions, 1998)—collaboration, leadership, and technology.

Information Literacy Across the Curriculum: Collaboration, Coordination, and Course Development

Friday, January 9, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. This workshop will teach media specialists how to better collaborate with teachers and offer creative ways to use information literacy across the curriculum. Speakers include Colleen Bell of the University of Oregon, James Elmborg of the University of Iowa, Ann Fiegen of California State University in San Marcos, Angelynn King of the University of Redlands, Laurie Kutner of the University of Vermont, Kate Manuel of New Mexico State University, and Lorena O'English and Scott Walter of Washington State University.

School Libraries and Evidence-Based Practice: Difference, Intervention and Transformation and How to Write a Successful Grant Proposal

Friday, January 9, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. In this seminar, Rutgers Associate Professor Ross Todd will introduce you to evidence-based practice and also explain how to write effective grant proposals. Also speaking is Heidi Hoerman of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina.

ALA-APA Information Session

Sunday, January 11, 10 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Come to this informational session to see what the ALA-Allied Professional Association, the organization's nonprofit arm, is doing "to promote the mutual professional interests of librarians and other library workers."

ALA President's Program

Sunday, January 11, 3 p.m.–5 p.m. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of CIPA, many libraries must decide between installing computer filters or losing federal Internet funding. ALA President Carla Hayden and a panel of speakers from the private and public sectors will discuss the impact of this decision on libraries and its implications for equal access in the Information Age. The panelists will examine compliance with the law, possible legal challenges, as well as future legislative actions and public policy concerns.

ALA Presidential/Treasurer Candidates Forum

Monday, January 12, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. Learn more about the candidates running for ALA's highest offices. Michael Gorman, dean of library services at the Henry Madden Library at California State University in Fresno, and Barbara Stripling, a former school librarian and the director of library programs at New Visions for Public Schools in New York City, are vying for the 2005–2006 ALA presidency.

Erika Linke, associate dean of University Libraries for Collection and User Services at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, and Teri Switzer, assistant director for human resources at Auraria Library at the University of Colorado at Denver, are running for the 2004–2007 term as ALA treasurer.