91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) announced the theme and speakers for the . This program will take place 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2014 at the in Las Vegas.

This year’s theme is The Ripple Effect: Library Partnerships that Positively Impact Children, Families, Communities, and Beyond. Attendees will be inspired to create meaningful partnerships in libraries. This program will explore how library and community collaborations can be the nexus of support for children and families.

Amy Dickinson, syndicated advice columnist, will deliver the keynote address. She will speak about her collaboration with the Family Reading Partnership of Ithaca, N.Y. to launch the campaign "A Book in Every Bed" that then sparked a national movement.

Anna McQuinn, author of "Lola at the Library," will bring an international perspective to our proceedings and speak of her work in the United Kingdom with young children and their families.

The program will round up with a panel of librarians from across the country discussing their innovative partnerships that support children and families. Beth Munk, children's services manager, Kendallville Public Library (Ind.) will discuss her collaboration with Big Brothers and Sisters. Lesley Clayton, manager of children’s library services, Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library (Broomfield, Colo.) will share her collaboration with the Bal Swan Children's Center, a local preschool, to host parent workshops that support early literacy and social and emotional development.

“We’re very excited for this year’s Charlemae Rollins’ President’s Program,” said Rachel G. Payne, co-chair of the Charlemae Rollins President's Program Planning Committee. "Our speakers bring a lot of great experiences to the topic of partnerships and we think that attendees will come away with plenty of inspiration for their own libraries.”

The ALSC Charlemae Rollins President's Program is sponsored in-part by the Charlemae Hill Rollins endowment. During her distinguished career in librarianship, Rollins was a critical voice in expanding materials that addressed the black experience. Among her numerous awards, she became the first black woman to receive an honorary membership in 91´«Ã½, an honor bestowed upon her in 1972.

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 4,200 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 .