Contact: Beth Nawalinski
Director of Marketing & Communications
ALTAFF
312-280-2161
bnawalinski@ala.org
NEWS
For Immediate Release
Dec. 30, 2009
PHILADELPHIA – Ã The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) will host a “Nuts & Bolts” session for Friends, Trustees and library staff during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting and the popular Gala Author Tea featuring five bestselling authors who will speak about their life and writing. In addition, ALTAFF and ALA Conference Services will jointly host the “Spotlight on Adult Literature.”
Friends Groups, Trustees, and library staff are invited to participate in the popular “Nuts & Bolts” program with topics including fundraising ideas, book sales, membership development, advocacy and board recruitment. Two sessions are scheduled on Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Both will be held in room 153C of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
The morning session will feature “Fundraising Best Ideas” with Alice Welch, president of Massachusetts Friends of Libraries, as well as roundtable discussions on fundraising, general Membership Development and book sales. During the afternoon session Sally Gardner Reed, executive director, ALTAFF, will discuss how Friends and Trustees can work effectively together for the support and promotion of the library, followed by “Trustee Topics” and roundtable discussion on advocacy, and board recruitment and development. Attendance at both sessions is not required.
Conference attendees are invited to participate in the “Spotlight on Adult Literature on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Exhibits Hall. Participating publishers will be giving away free books and some will host author signings during this time. A flyer listing all participating publishers will be handed out at the entrance to the Exhibit Hall on Saturday afternoon. Attendees may also visit ReferenceUSA booth (2172) to register to win a prize basket. Jointly sponsored by ALTAFF and ALA Conference Services, the “Spotlight on Adult Literature” is an opportunity for conference attendees to learn more about new authors as well as new books from seasoned authors of adult literature.
Five bestselling authors will speak about their writing and lives during the ALTAFF Gala Author Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Boston. Hear writers discuss their work while enjoying finger sandwiches, tea and pastries.
Featured authors include former features editor at Elle and Mirabella, Janice Y. K. Lee (“The Piano Teacher,” Viking); former staff writer for Life and an editor at Esquire, Redbook and Outside, Marilyn Johnson (“ This Book is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All,” Harper); novelist newcomer Holly LeCraw (“The Swimming Pool,” Doubleday); former Marine decorated with 2 Purple Hearts and 14 other medals, Karl Marlantes (“Matterhorn,” Atlantic Monthly Press); and first urban fiction author to hit the New York Times printed list, Terri Woods (“Dutch II: Angel's Revenge,”Grand Central Publishing).
A book signing will follow, with many books given away free and others sold at a generous discount. ALTAFF will recognize the winners of the National Friends of Libraries Week Awards during the program. The ALTAFF Gala Author Tea is generously sponsored by ReferenceUSA. Tickets are $45 on-site while seats are available.
ALTAFF is a division of ALA with approximately 5,000 Friends of the Library, Trustee, Foundation and individual members and affiliates representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. Begun in early 2009, the new division brings together Trustees and Friends into a partnership that unites the voices of citizens who support libraries to create a powerful force for libraries in the 21st Century. For more information about ALTAFF, please contact Beth Nawalinski at (312) 280-2161 or bnawalinski@ala.org.
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