The 2008 ALA Conference saw close to 8,000 registered attendees and for this year’s ALA, already over 9,000 visitors have registered in advance. Visitors can take advantage of over 300 educational programs, more than 2,000 committee meetings and events, exhibits and the Auditorium Speaker Series.
ALA 2009 Programs and Sessions
Most pre-conferences will be held on Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10; education programs and sessions will take place during the main show days from Saturday, July 11 through Tuesday, July 14. The main events are:
- 2009 ALA Grassroots Programs,
- ALA Membership Meetings: Libraries in Hard Times,
- Pre-conferences,
- Poster sessions,
- Programs on administration and leadership, authors and literature, children and young adults, collection management, digital information, HR and staff development and research.
ALA 2009 Special Events
Every year, the American Library Association is also host to a number of unusual meetings and presentations. Here’s a list of the ALA 2009 special events; those marked with a star (*) require additional registration.
- “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!”, a National Public Radio hour-long quiz program on Thursday evening, July 9 (*);
- ALA Awards Ceremony and Inaugural Banquet on Tuesday evening, July 14;
- ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash at the Art Institute of Chicago on Saturday evening, July 11 (*);
- ALA Auditorium Speaker Series featuring authors such as Gregory Maguire, James Ellroy, Michael Connelly, Junot Diaz, Melba Pattillo Beals and others;
- Council and membership meetings;
- Bookcart Drill Team World Championship, librarians’ choreographed dance routines;
- Bookmobile Sunday, the largest gathering of mobile library vehicles.
ALA Exhibit Hours and Registration Rates
The ALA 2009 Annual Conference will take place at Chicago’s McCormick Place West convention center, located at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive.
The exhibits will be open from Saturday, July 11 to Monday, July 13 from 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m and on Tuesday, July 14 from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Registration rates range from $25 for an exhibits-only daily pass to $380 for the whole show when registering on-site. ALA members with valid identification will receive a discount as will attendees registering in advance. Advance registration closes on May 22, 2009.
For a daily fee, Camp ALA is available for attendees’ children aged six months to 17 years for the duration of the conference.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) promotes libraries and library education internationally and is an active propagator of intellectual freedom. Founded in 1876, it is the oldest and largest library association in the world, counting more than 65,000 members.
An important issue that ALA is currently facing is the role of libraries in hard economic times. It is a difficult one, as libraries are hit by budget cuts resulting in reduced hours and staff or even branch closings at a time when the general public turns to them for help.
Jim Rettig and Greg Worrell confirm in their December 11, 2008 Huffington Post article “Libraries stand ready to help in tough economic times”: “From offering homework help to assisting with resumes and job searches to helping patrons navigate unemployment insurance forms, now more than ever libraries are proving that they are valued and trusted community partners.”
In view of these recent events, regardless if ALA 2009 attendees visit in their roles as librarians, patrons, supporters or friends, it should be an interesting and thought-provoking meeting. Attendees and exhibitors can post and exchange information about conference events and exhibits at the ALA 2009 Conference Wiki.
Readers interested in this article may also want to know more about the World eBook Fair 2009, ISBNs or how to uniquely identify information.
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