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CHICAGO – The deadline for advanced registration pricing for the American Association of School Librarian’s (AASL) 15th National Conference and Exhibition ends Sept. 29. Turning the Page will be held Oct. 27-30. Registration and program information can be found at .

AASL’s National Conference & Exhibition is the premier biennial four-day event for school librarians, administrators of library services, educators of school library students and school library supporters. Programming and events are geared to help school librarians at every stage in their career gain the knowledge and resources necessary to elevate the school library program.

Programming and events for the 2011 conference include opening general session speaker Nicholas Carr, controversial author of “The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains” and The Atlantic Monthly article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?;” closing general session speaker Mimi Ito, cultural anthropologist and author of “Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Kids Living and Learning with New Media;” 12 half- and full-day preconferences; dozens of authors, including three author events; a symposium for educators of school library students; and exhibits filled with the latest resources and technologies for the school library program. As just announced, AASL will screen the documentary “Digital Media: New Learners of the 21st Century” featuring closing general session speaker Dr. Ito as a complement to the Exploratorium.

Advance registration offers AASL members a $50 discount. Registration rates are as follows: $290 for AASL members and $405 for non-members. Registration includes opening and closing sessions, more than 100 concurrent sessions, the Exploratorium, entrance onto the exhibit floor, and travel and entrance to the Closing Celebration at Nicollet Island Pavilion. Attendees must register before making reservations at any of the hotels in the AASL block.

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.