NEWS For Immediate Release May 21, 2013

Contact: John Amundsen

CHICAGO – Libraries are extending their resources beyond their walls and into the communities they serve every day. Bookmobile Saturday, June 29, during ALA’s Annual Conference, gives attendees the opportunity to learn, gain inspiration and network. Learn about the trends, model practices and opportunities for professional involvement during two morning programs. Connect with colleagues from across the country during the Bookmobile Saturday author lunch and book signing featuring Lauren Myracle and Audrey Niffenegger and finally explore some of the latest vehicles during the Parade of Bookmobiles held in conjunction with the ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair.  Bookmobile Saturday runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 29 during ALA’s Annual Conference in Chicago.

Bookmobile Saturday will begin with a panel discussion titled “Programming from the Bookmobile,” led by members of the Midwest Bookmobile Outreach Network, serving Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin and held from 8:30 - 10 a.m. in room S106a of McCormick Place (MCP). Panelists will discuss innovative programming ideas, issues, technologies and best practices to engage bookmobile patrons of all ages.

A second panel discussion, titled “OLOS ABOS 101” will follow from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., also in MCP room s106a. Representatives from Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) will discuss opportunities for bookmobile and outreach staff through professional development, growth and networking through involvement with the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) and ABOS.

Admission to both morning programs is free and open to all Annual Conference attendees.

Following the panel discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a luncheon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Clark 22 A-C room at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place featuring Lauren Myracle and Audrey Niffenegger. Lauren Myracle is the author of  The Infinite Moment of Us (August 2013), the New York Times bestselling Internet Girls series (ttyl, ttfn     and l8r, g8r), Shine, Rhymes with Witches, Bliss and the Flower Power series, among many other books for teens and tweens. Audrey Niffenegger is the author of the international bestsellers The Time Traveler’s Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry, as well as a fine artist who has published four illustrated books: the latest book is Raven Girl, which hit the New York Times bestseller list earned a starred review in Booklist, The Three Incestuous Sisters, The Adventuress, and The Night Bookmobile. Niffenegger also served as honorary chair of National Bookmobile Day 2011.

Tickets to the lunch are $25, and must be purchased online by June 14; tickets will not be available at registration.  Please refer to Ticket OLS1 when registering, space is limited. The participation of Myracle and Niffenegger is made possible by Abrams.

After lunch, the program will move to the Diversity and Outreach Fair in the exhibits hall (MCP, Hall A1) for the Parade of Bookmobiles from 3 - 5 p.m., part of the ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair.  During the Parade, attendees can explore bookmobiles and speak with bookmobile staff and enter for a random prize drawing. The parade is free and open to all conference attendees. 

Bookmobile Saturday is made possible through the generous support of Farber Specialty Vehicles and OBS, Inc. 

For more information, and to register, please visit www.alaannual.org. 

Founded by Harry N. Abrams in 1949, ABRAMS was the first company in the United States to specialize in the creation and distribution of art and illustrated books. Now a subsidiary of La Martinière Groupe, the company publishes visually stunning illustrated books in the areas of art, photography, cooking, interior and garden design, craft, architecture, entertainment, fashion, sports, and pop culture, as well as children's books and general interest titles. The company's imprints include Abrams, Abrams ComicArts, Abrams Image, Abrams Books for Young Readers, Amulet Books, Abrams Appleseed, Stewart, Tabori Chang, and STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books. Abrams also distributes books for The Vendome Press, Victoria Albert Museum, Tate, Royal Academy of Arts, Booth-Clibborn Editions, Five Continents, and others.

The mission of OLOS is to identify and promote library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in libraries. OLOS focuses attention on services that are inclusive of traditionally underserved populations and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, language and social class. The Office ensures that training, information resources and technical assistance are available to help libraries and librarians develop effective strategies to grow programs and services for library users.

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