91´«Ã½

CHICAGO – The 91´«Ã½ Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) invites library professionals from all kinds of institutions to submit proposals to participate in the 2011 Diversity and Outreach Fair, to be held at 91´«Ã½’s Annual Conference in New Orleans from 3 - 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 25.

Generously sponsored by DEMCO, the 91´«Ã½ Diversity and Outreach Fair is an opportunity for libraries and member groups to share their successful diversity and outreach initiatives with 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference attendees, celebrate diversity in America’s libraries and exhibit “diversity in action” ideas. The theme of this year’s fair will be family literacy.

The Diversity and Outreach Fair will feature innovative and successful library-based family literacy programs. Family literacy programs are broad in their scope and reach. Some family literacy programs rely on traditional literacy activities, storybook reading and storytelling, to reach across generations, while others use high-tech resources, digital storytelling, blogging and online journaling to connect generations.

Also considered for participation are proposals that highlight library services to underserved or underrepresented communities, including people with disabilities; poor and homeless populations; people of color; English-language learners; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; new Americans, new and non-readers; older adults; people living in rural areas; incarcerated people and ex-offenders; and mobile library services and bookmobiles.

Selected presenters will develop and facilitate a poster session to be held during the 91´«Ã½ 2011 Annual Conference in the exhibits hall. In addition, the participants are encouraged to submit, in digital format, information and resources from their program.

For more information, and to apply, please visit .

About DEMCO

For over 100 years DEMCO () has supported the valuable work of librarians—taking pride in providing the best service possible. DEMCO’s mission is to continue to anticipate future needs, to supply products and services that support the activities of library professionals and improve library environments by making them more attractive and user-friendly. The people of DEMCO demonstrate their continuing commitment to library professionals through their support of the Library Champions Program and participation at 91´«Ã½’s conferences.

About OLOS

The Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) serves the Association by identifying and promoting library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in our libraries. OLOS focuses attention on services that are inclusive of traditionally underserved populations, including new and non-readers, people geographically isolated, people with disabilities, rural and urban poor people, and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, language and social class.