91´«Ã½

CHICAGO— Registration is now open for the 91´«Ã½’s (91´«Ã½) Virtual - Community Through Connection, June 24 - 26,2020. The three-day, online event will send a strong message that the library community can—and will—remain connected during this unprecedented time.

Through the generous support of a select roster of event sponsors, 91´«Ã½ will lower registration fees from $175 for to just $60. Library professionals who have recently been furloughed, laid off, or are experiencing a reduction of paid work hours, are welcome to attend at no cost. Registration will close on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at noon Central time at .

Featured Speaker appearances will include: American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer and author Misty Copeland (Opening Session), Wednesday, June 24, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. sponsored by Penguin Random House; and Academy-Award winning actress, author and activist Natalie Portman (Closing Session), Friday, June 26, 1 - 2 p.m., sponsored by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Additional speakers include UK poet and social media influencer Sophia Thakur, Wednesday, June 24, 1 - 1:30 p.m., sponsored by Candlewick Press; Caldecott medalist and author Matthew Cordell, Wednesday, June 24, 3:30 - 4 p.m., sponsored by Holiday House; and actress and author Sonia Manzano, Thursday, June 25, 2 -2:30 p.m., sponsored by National Geographic Kids; and more to announce soon.

“Breaking the Rules of Graphic Novels” will include a panel of best-selling Graphic novelists. This session will take place Thursday, June 25, 3:30–4 p.m. to include, Roxanne Gay, Tracy Lynne Oliver, Gabby Rivera, Brian Azzarello and Ryan North. The discussion will be moderated by Filip Sablik, president of Publishing & Marketing, BOOM! Studios and is sponsored by BOOM! Studios.

The event will feature a portfolio of more than 50 educational sessions, including COVID-19 related information pertinent to libraries; live chat opportunities with authors and speakers; an exhibitor showcase with more than 500 participating exhibitors; and presentations in an on-demand format from book publishers on forthcoming book titles.

For additional event information please visit the , , , , or follow hashtag, #alavirtual20.

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