91´«Ã½

PHILADELPHIA – The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), is offering an affordable way to attend ALTAFF events at the June 23-28 in New Orleans.

Those purchasing the Exhibits Plus package ($35) will have access to hundreds of vendors on the exhibits floor, plus programming on the PopTop Stage, the and all non-ticketed programs of ALTAFF, including six author programs, a Literary Landmarks panel and programs focused on advocacy, hiring a library director and Friends groups in academia. Those purchasing the Exhibits Supreme package ($75) will have access to all of the above, plus the .

ALTAFF’s Author Events, all of which take place at the Morial Convention Center, include

• “Celebrating Southern Writers” on Saturday, June 25, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (Room 335-336)
• “Tales from the Heart: Literary Memoirs” on Saturday, June 25, 4-5:30 p.m. (Room 283)
• “Mystery and Horror @ your library” on Sunday, June 26, 10:30 a.m.-noon (Room 268)
• “First Author, First Book” on Sunday, June 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m., (Room 269)
• “Isn’t it Romantic” on Monday, June 27, 8-10 a.m. (Room 339)

The author programs will be moderated by Barbara Hoffert, editor, PrePub Alert, Library Journal. An author signing will follow. Some books will be given away free and others will be sold at a generous discount.

ALTAFF President’s Program, to be held 10:30 a.m. - noon on Monday, June 27 at the Morial Convention Center, Room 274, will feature Marilyn Johnson, author of "This Book is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All." Johnson has been a national champion of libraries and was the moving force behind ALTAFF’s Authors for Libraries program.

“Recognizing Your Community’s Literary Heritage: How to Designate a Literary Landmark” will be held 8 - 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 25 at the Doubletree Hotel, Madewood B. A panel discussion will be held about ALTAFF’s Literary Landmark program, how to select sites in the community, planning and getting the community and media involved. Speakers will be Karen Neurohr, chairperson of the Oklahoma Literary Landmark project; Martin Covert, former Friends of Libraries U.S.A. board member and special sections staff writer, The Times-Picayune and Jillian Kalonick, Marketing/PR Specialist, ALTAFF.

“Hiring a New Library Director” will be held from 8 - 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 26 at the InterContinental, Vieux Carre B. This program will be beneficial for both governing and advisory Boards of Trustees. Learn how to define the strengths and characteristics the director should have, how to recruit a pool of qualified candidates and how to format the interviews. Speakers include library consultants and recruiters June Garcia (June Garcia, LLC) and Jobeth Bradbury (Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager).

“Nuts & Bolts for Academic Friends” will be held from 8 - 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 25 at the Hilton Riverside, Chequers. Academic Friends will come together to discuss issues, trends and experiences. Those thinking of starting a Friends group for a college, university or community college are encouraged to attend. Featured speakers will include Samuel T. Huang, associate dean for advancement and development, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, and Charles Hanson, director of library services, Kettering University.

For more information about ALTAFF programs, visit .

###

ALTAFF is a division of the 91´«Ã½ that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. ALTAFF brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit , or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org