91��ý

CHICAGO – The 91��ý’s (91��ý) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) will hold its fourth annual “Bookmobile Sunday” from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 27 during the 91��ý Annual Conference, which will be held June 24 - 29, in Room 207A/B at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Following the event will be a “Parade” of bookmobiles, which will be open to all Conference attendees.

Bookmobiles, like libraries, continue to meet the needs of their communities by offering free access to the latest technology and materials to users of all ages. Patrons can search the Web, fill out a job application, take a computer class, participate in story hours and check out books, DVDs or video games.

“Bookmobiles are a fuel-efficient, cost-saving way to bring the library to patrons everywhere,” said Michael Swendrowski, chair of the 91��ý Subcommittee on Bookmobiles. “Like libraries, bookmobiles bring opportunity to all and provide a vital service for those trying to save on expenses during hard economic times.”

Bookmobile Sunday is a ticketed event starting at 10:30 a.m. featuring a keynote by W. Ralph Eubanks, author and director of publishing at the Library of Congress; an author luncheon with Andrew Smith (“Ghost Medicine”and “In the Path of Falling Objects”); and moderated discussions on advocacy, eco-friendly vehicles and fuels, mobile service options, Bookmobiles 101 and marketing. An author book signing and Parade of Bookmobiles, where attendees can board and explore a comprehensive range of bookmobiles, will conclude the event.

The parade of bookmobiles will consist of five bookmobiles and innovative new vehicles from the day’s sponsors. Tours will be available to conference-goers and the media from 2 to 4 p.m. at the convention center’s Hall D Docks, second level. Bookmobile staff will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the importance of mobile outreach services.

The parade of bookmobiles will include: two vehicles from Baltimore County Public Library; two vehicles from Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore; Frederick County (Md.) Public Library; Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville, Va.; and Wood County Library Association, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Sponsors of “Bookmobile Sunday” include All-American Specialty Vehicles, Matthews Specialty Vehicles, Meridian Specialty Vehicles, OBS, Inc. and Farber. Bookmobile Sunday is organized by the 91��ý’s (91��ý) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS), the OLOS Subcommittee on Bookmobiles and the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS).

The 91��ý is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.

For more information on the 2010 Annual 91��ý Conference, please visit the 91��ý Conference Web site at , or contact 91��ý Media Relations Manager Macey Morales at (312) 280-4393, mmorales@ala.org, or 91��ý PR Coordinator Jennifer Petersen at (312) 280-5043, jpetersen@ala.org.