Tina Coleman's blog

The Stacks opened yesterday evening at 5:30. The Opening Reception, sponsored by ALA exhibitors, the Exhibits Round Table and ALA, included food, music, and giveaways. Exhibits are open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ALA is encouraging all attendees and exhibitors at the ALA Annual Conference to take two minutes to donate $10 to help rebuild libraries in Haiti.

The American Library Association has set up an option to easily donate through your mobile phone.  To donate to the ALA Haiti Library Relief Fund simply text “alahaiti” to 20222.  A $10 one-time tax-deductible donation will be added to your mobile phone bill.

Within the last 24 hours, over 75 people have signed up for Library Advocacy Day at the ALA Annual Conference, which brings the total number of registrants to nearly 1,300 advocates.  The rally will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 29 at Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill. Remember, you don’t have to register, just come prepared to get excited about libraries!

Cathleen Bourdon, AED, Communications & Member Relations, reporting from onsite in Washington, DC

What to do when the budget is threatened was addressed by Carol Brey-Casiano, chair, ALA Committee on Library Advocacy and Marci Merola, director, ALA Office for Library Advocacy during the Advocacy Institute on June 25th. They presented a nine point plan to deal with the crisis:

ALA President Camila A. Alire, 3rd from left, with ALA past-presidents, from left, Peggy Sullivan 1980-81, Barbara Ford 1997-98, Betty Turock 1995-96, Nancy Kranich 2000-01, and Patricia Glass Schuman 1991-92, at the Library Advocates, Library Champions, and Legacy Society event.

John Chrastka, Director for Membership Development, reports from onsite in Washington, DC:
 
 

Anxious to see what tomorrow’s ALA Cognotes will hold? Here’s a Flickr slideshow with the pictures from tomorrow’s issue. Arrivals and anticipation as the show begins…

The official “What’s Happening” Guide is available for download as a convienent PDF.

Mary Ghikas has once again assembled a list of interesting highlights & useful information for you to peruse as you make your way to Washington, D.C. for Annual Conference.