Orlando or Bust
Reading and early learning will take center stage at the American Library Association's annual conference
By Debra Lau Whelan -- School Library Journal, 5/1/2004
One must-see event is the President's Program on Monday, June 28, where Eliza Dresang of Florida State University and others will discuss the myths and realities about how kids use technology in the public library. The Margaret A. Edwards Award Luncheon on Saturday, June 26, is another event you won't want to miss. Sponsored by School Library Journal, you'll hear Ursula K. Le Guin, the 2004 winner for lifetime achievement in young adult literature, speak about her writing.
With more than 1,000 interesting meetings, programs, and special events, this guide will help steer you through the myriad offerings.
Friday, June 25Great Beginnings! Libraries and Early Literacy (8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.)
At this preconference session, learn about the latest research and best practices from your colleagues and some of the nation's experts in early childhood learning. Fee required.
Speakers: Author Mem Fox; author/illustrator Rosemary Wells; Jane Marino, director of the Bronxville (NY) Public Library; Kathy Hirsh-Pasek of Temple University; and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff of the University of Delaware.
Every Student Succeeds @ your library: An Advocacy Approach to Highlight Your LMP (1:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.)
This preconference will teach librarians how to promote themselves as critical to the learning experience. Fee required.
Speaker: AASL @ your library Special Committee.
Saturday, June 26Attracting the Youngest Patrons (10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Find out the best books to introduce to young children and how libraries can highlight and support activities for babies and toddlers.
Speakers: Kathleen Horning of the Cooperative Children's Book Center; Dutton editor Michelle Coppola, authors/illustrators Denise Fleming, Lois Ehlert, Donald Crews, and Harriet Ziefert.
Creating WOW! Library Services for a New Generation (10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Discover how Millennials (18- to 24-year- olds) differ from previous generations when they were the same age.
Speaker: Richard T. Sweeney of the Robert Van Houten Library in Newark, NJ.
Margaret A. Edwards Award Luncheon (12 p.m.–2 p.m.)
Hear Ursula K. Le Guin, the 2004 Margaret A. Edwards winner for lifetime achievement in young adult literature. Fee required.
Program This: After-School Programming 101 (1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.)
Take a look at the Top 10 list of best ideas for after-school programs at your library.
Speakers: Diane Genco of the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition; Pabby Arnold of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library; Jennifer Cunningham of the Wright Memorial Public Library in Dayton, OH.
Help Libraries Reach New Audiences (1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.)
Three diverse projects demonstrate how public libraries can promote literacy and reach new and underserved audiences through creative partnerships with family literacy programs and government agencies.
Speakers: Marilyn Graham of the Lee County (FL) Library System; Paula Errigo-Stoup of Pennsylvania Migrant Education; B. Allison Gray, of the John Jermain Memorial Library, in Sag Harbor, NY; and Elaine Birkinshaw of the St. Petersburg (FL) PL.
How School Librarians Can Teach Reading Strategies (1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.)
This program will focus on practical ideas for K–12 school librarians when teaching reading for understanding.
Speakers: Linda Cornwell of Scholastic; Debra LaPlante, a school librarian at Carol G. Peck Elementary School, Glendale, AZ; Janet Boltjes, a library media specialist at Gilbert (SC) High School; and Debbie Abilock, VP of NoodleTools, Palo Alto, CA.
Seeing the Whole Picture: Evaluating Youth Services—Pardon Me for Being a Manager, Part VI (1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.)
A PowerPoint retelling of Ed Young's Seven Blind Mice will illustrate this management principle in this manager series.
Speakers: UCLA's Virginia Walter; Ellen Fader of Multnomah County (OR) Library; and Jerry West of the U.S. Department of Education.
Sunday, June 27It Works! Successful Programs for School Age Children (1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.)
Children's librarians will share creative and successful programs for elementary school children. This program is recommended for new children's librarians and seasoned professionals looking for new and different ideas.
New Perspectives on School Outreach Programs (1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.)
Learn how public libraries, school districts, universities, and funding agencies can work together to support literacy.
Speakers: Georgene DeFilippo of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh; Patty Carleton of the St. Louis Public Library; Grace Shanahan of the Brooklyn Public Library; and Kathy Ellen Bullard of the Provo Public Library.
Monday, June 28Who Owns Snow White? Copyright Issues for Youth Services Librarians (10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Copyright experts from government, business, and libraries discuss the dos and don'ts for children's and YA librarians.
Speaker: Carrie Russell, copyright specialist, ALA's Washington office.
Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults (10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Participate in discussions with the winners of the Fourth Round of Excellence Recognition Awards and hear presentations from the top programs.
"I'm a Character"—Character-Driven Booktalks for Teens (10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Using the voices of characters in recently published young adult titles appropriate for grades 6–12, three distinct styles of booktalks (first person, narrative, and excerpt) will be presented, along with examples of how to make smooth transitions between books.
Speaker: Ruth E. Cox of the University of Houston.
President's Program: Myths and Realities: Kids and Technology in the Public Library (10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
Discover the myths and realities of how this generation of youth use technology.
Speakers: Eliza Dresang and Melissa Gross of Florida State University; and Leslie Holt, director of youth services at the St. Louis Public Library.
President's Program: The Leader in the Mirror: New Visions of Leadership for Young Adult Services (1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.)
Join author Esmé Raji Codell and a panel of library leaders for a frank discussion of ways to provide leadership opportunities for teens.
Speakers: Sharyn November, Sandra Balderman, Esmé Raji Codell, and Jessamyn West.
From Landmark to DK: The Life and Times of Children's Nonfiction (1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.)
Author and critic Leonard Marcus will present a lecture on the changing trends in nonfiction for children from the '60s to today.
Speakers: Leonard Marcus and Kathleen T. Horning of the Cooperative Center for Children's Books.
First Annual Children's Poetry Reading (5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.)
Join the first annual ALSC–sponsored Children's Poetry Reading. Poets include host Marilyn Singer, Doug Florian, Nikki Grimes, Helen Frost, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Jane Yolen, and many others.
| Author Information |
| Debra Lau Whelan is SLJ's senior editor for news and features. |
