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CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council (CBC), will be hosting a Day of Diversity: Dialogue and Action in Children’s Literature and Library Program on Jan. 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.

This invitation-only event will bring together leaders in children’s literature and literacy to discuss strategies for ensuring that all children have access to diverse literature and library programming. The Keynote address at the Day of Diversity will be given by Dr. Camila Alire, 91´«Ã½ Past President (2009-2010).

“The importance of ensuring that our children have access to literature that reflects the diversity and common plurality of our world cannot be overstated,” said ALSC President Ellen Riordan. “By bringing librarians, publishers, authors, book sellers, educators and nonprofit leaders together for the Day of Diversity we’ll have a chance to openly discuss strategies in which we can all work together to better serve and support our children.”

"CBC Diversity has been a leader in bringing the conversation about diversity in children's books and publishing to the forefront over the last three years,” said Robin Adelson, executive director of the Children’s Book Council & Every Child a Reader. “It's now time to move from talk to action and we are looking forward to seeing what can happen when the various constituencies, all focused on the needs and interests of children, work together. We are grateful to ALSC for spearheading this important move forward.”

Those attending the 2015 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting are invited to learn more about the Day of Diversity and to lend their own voice during the News You Can Use session. This session will be held from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CST on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 in McCormick Place West W183b. Additionally, ALSC will also be hosting at least two online community forums or webinars in the months following the Day of Diversity; in order to ensure that the Day of Diversity discussion and outcomes are presented to a broader audience.

The Day of Diversity is funded in large part through the Everyone Reads @ your library grant awarded to the Association for Library Service to Children by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Other sponsors include the Chicago Public Library and Friends of ALSC.

About the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

ALSC, a division of the 91´«Ã½, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit ALSC’s website at .

About the Children’s Book Council

The Children’s Book Council (CBC) is the nonprofit trade association for children’s book publishers in North America, with members spanning from large international houses to smaller independent presses. The CBC offers children’s publishers the opportunity to work together on issues of importance to the industry at large, including educational programming, literacy advocacy, and collaborations with other national organizations. The CBC is proud to partner with other national organizations on co-sponsored reading lists, educational programming, and literacy initiatives. Please visit for more information.

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