Innovative outreach programs and strategies sought for 2017 ALA Diversity & Outreach Fair

CHICAGO – The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services invites library professionals from institutions of all kinds to submit proposals for the 2017 Diversity and Outreach Fair, to be held from 3 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 during the American Library Association's Annual Conference in Chicago. Proposals will be accepted through Tuesday, May 15.

The ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair is an opportunity for libraries and member groups to share their successful diversity and outreach initiatives with ALA Annual Conference attendees, celebrate diversity in America’s libraries and exhibit “diversity in action” ideas. The theme of this year’s Fair will be “Inclusive Outreach: Providing Services to the Underserved and Marginalized.”

As current events develop, the role of libraries as welcoming and inclusive spaces for everyone in the communities they serve is more critical than ever. The 2017 Fair is particularly seeking out examples and best practices of successful programs and strategies to serve underserved and marginalized populations.   

Other areas of focus to be explored at the Fair will include services to the following user populations: people with disabilities; people experiencing poverty and homelessness; people of color; English-language learners; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; immigrants and English language learners, new and non-readers; older adults; people living in rural areas; incarcerated people and ex-offenders and mobile library services and bookmobiles.

Selected presenters will develop and facilitate a poster session to be held during the ALA 2017 Annual Conference in the exhibits hall. In addition, the participants are encouraged to submit, in digital format, information and resources from their program.

For more information, and to apply, please visit www.ala.org/divfair.