The perfect antidote for library staff members and library lovers comes in late October at the Columbia Marriott in the form of the 2009 SCLA Annual Conference, October 28-30. This year's theme is: South Carolina Libraries: Diverse People and Exceptional Services. The Annual Conference will be a premiere continuing education event offering a Preconference on diversity, dozens of workshops and networking opportunities for all.
The Diversity Preconference will open the Conference on Wednesday, October 28, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Diversity Preconference is co-sponsored with the USC School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) and its theme is, Diversity in the Workplace. This Preconference will focus on incorporating diversity into the library environment. Professor Clara Chu from UCLA will deliver the Preconference keynote. Breakout sessions will include: The Business World and Diversity: What Libraries Can Learn; South Carolina African-American Pioneers in Library and Information Science and African-American Males in Librarianship. The presenters will include Human Resources managers from Roche Carolina, Time Warner and Blue Cross Blue Shield; Georgette Mayo, Interim Director of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston and Dr. Kaetrena D. Davis-Kendricks, Assistant Professor at Georgia State University. Attendees will have an opportunity to attend at least two sessions during the Preconference. The Preconference will conclude with a luncheon featuring noted author and South Carolina photographer, Mr. Cecil J. Williams.
The 2009 Annual Conference will begin at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, October 28. The Opening Session keynote speaker will be Jose Aponte, the San Diego Public Library Director and Commissioner on the United States National Commission in Libraries and Information Science. He also serves as an advisor on the Advisory Board of the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries.
During the Opening Session, the SCLA awards committee will present the Scholarship for Diversity in Librarianship recipients. Immediately following the Opening Session at 3:30 p.m., continuing education sessions will begin with an exciting and varied schedule of workshops. The Welcome Reception in the Exhibitor's Hall will begin at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday's activities will conclude with Out of the Stacks and Onto the Stage: An Evening of Karaoke and Dancing. All proceeds from this event will benefit the SCLA Scholarship for Diversity in Librarianship.
Thursday, October 29 will begin with continuing education and networking opportunities. The Second General Session will occur at 12:30 p.m., and will feature the noted South Carolina native, author and artist, Jonathan Green. Jonathan Green was born in Gardens Corner, near Beaufort, South Carolina. He has taken his Gullah heritage around the world in his paintings showcasing the Gullah culture indigenous to the South Carolina Lowcountry. Jonathan Green is a committed person filled with passion for the arts, culture and literacy.
One of the breakout sessions planned for Thursday, will include an ALA Forum, entitled, Ahead to 2015 with ALA. This will be an open discussion on how can the American Library Association (ALA) help you, your library, library users and SCLA. Attendees should come ready to share thoughts on where ALA should focus its efforts in the next five years. Also during the Conference there will be a session on how to use CapWiz to advocate with legislators on specific library-related issues. Thursday's activities will conclude with the SLIS Alumni Tea and the All Conference Reception featuring entertainment by the Voices of the South Carolina Lowcountry and recognition of nationally-acclaimed "Movers and Shakers" in South Carolina Libraries.
Friday morning will begin with the New Members Breakfast and the Poster Sessions chaired by Kathy Shepard, where presenters will have a final opportunity to share with conference attendees the innovative and exceptional library programs and services delivered by and to the diverse populations that make up South Carolina. An Awards Brunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. The keynote speaker for the brunch will be Camila Alire, ALA President. Ms. Alire will talk about her presidential initiatives and the direction and vision she has planned for the American Library Association and the fact that she believes all libraries are the hearts of their communities. Ms. Alire will also attend the SCLA closing Board meeting to hear any comments regarding Ahead to 2015 with ALA from attendees who were not able to attend the ALA Forum planned for Thursday.
For more information and conference registration, visit www.scla.org or contact Rayburne "Ray" Turner at (843) 572-4094 or turnerr@ccpl.org.
