How to register for the 2009 ALA Annual Conference, Chicago, July 9-15 and associated events

So you may have heard about some of ASCLA’s awesome preconferences and programs happening here in Chicago this July as a part of the 2009 ALA Annual Conference. We’re glad you’re interested! Now we’d like to tell you how to register.

There are three options for registering for the conference and additional ticketed events: online, in print, and by phone.

Online
Access the online registration form. You’ll be prompted to create a login and password. Follow the step-by-step process. Purchase tickets for ASCLA preconferences under “Step 6 – Your Events”.

By Phone
Call 1-800-974-3084.

By Mail or Fax
Download the print registration form, fill it out, and mail or fax it in according to the instructions on the form.

I’ve already registered for Annual and I’d like to purchase a ticket for a special event or preconference.
Great! You can log back into the online form and add the event(s) under “Step 6 – Your Events”, then proceed to checkout.

The preconferences look fascinating! I’d like to attend one, but I’m not interested in attending the entire conference.
We can help with that. Preconference-only participants can register using the print registration form, which can be returned via e-mail or fax. Download the form for full instructions.

Questions? Contact Experient customer service at (800) 974-3084 or (847) 996-5876 (International).

See you in Chicago!

More learning opportunities from our ALA colleagues

Our friends down the hall at the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) have some pretty awesome online courses starting next Monday, Feb. 9. Brief descriptions are below, but you can read full descriptions and register at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/edcareeers/profdevelopment/alscweb/index.cfm

Fees are $95 for personal ALSC members; $145 for personal ALA members; and $165 for non-members.

Questions? Please contact Aimee Strittmatter, ALSC Deputy Director, at astrittmatter@ala.org or (312) 280-2164.

Courses include:
The Tech Savvy Booktalker
Get children excited about books by using booktalks. Booktalks are not book reviews but short promos that tease the child into wanting to know more. Why not jazz up the booktalks by adding a technology component? During this course, learn how to make use of available technology to enhance integration for student success. From podcasts to Powerpoint, from MovieMaker to Photostory, Nancy Keane, author of fourteen books, will share ideas that will help you become the Tech-Savvy Booktalker.
Instructor: Nancy J. Keane, Library Media Specialist, Rundlett Middle School

Sharing Poetry with Children
This course offers an introduction to the major poets, titles, and anthologies of contemporary poetry published for children with a focus on interactive and participatory techniques and approaches for sharing poetry with children and fostering their responses to poetry. For librarians and library aides who work with children ages 5-12.
Instructor: Sylvia M. Vardell, Professor, Texas Woman’s University

The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future
What does it mean when we recommend Newbery Award winners to the children in our communities? Should the ALA seal of approval stand for 100 years? Why is that gold medal often considered the “kiss of death” by kids? How can we help parents and teachers understand what the Newbery Medal is – and isn’t? This 6-week online course will give participants a solid grounding in the history of the Medal and how it’s changed over time; an opportunity to read, discuss and consider past and present Newbery winners with their colleagues from across the nation; a chance to talk to former Newbery Committee members and a Newbery author, and suggestions for programming using Newbery-winning books.
Instructor: Kathleen T. Horning, Director, Cooperative Children’s Book Center, University of Wisconsin- Madison