American Library Association Annual Conference and Exhibition: June 23-29, 2005 Chicago, Illinois

ALA is planning another exciting Annual Conference. Register early for low rates and great speakers, programs and events!

This year's Auditorium Speaker Series will include librarian and author Nancy Pearl, author of Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason.

We are also proud to feature the PLA President's Program & Awards Presentation featuring David Sedaris.

PLA President Clara Nalli Bohrer invites you to attend PLA's premiere event at the 2005 ALA Annual Conference featuring David Sedaris. David Sedaris made his comic debut recounting his strange-but-true experiences of his job as a Macy's elf clad in green tights, reading his "SantaLand Diaries" on National Public Radio's Morning Edition. Sedaris' sardonic humor and incisive social critique have since made him one of NPR's most popular and humorous commentators. David Sedaris is the author of the bestsellers Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice, as well as collections of personal essays, Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day, which immediately became a national bestseller. There is no charge for attending this event. Mr. Sedaris appears by special arrangement with Steven Barclay Agency, www.barclayagency.com

Many more speakers will be joining us for the Auditorium Speakers Series. Check www.ala.org/annual for updates and more information on the Annual Conference!

Travel Info

AIRLINE AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS

General Information

ITS Group is ALA's travel management company for both hotel and airline reservations. As an ALA attendee or exhibitor, you are eligible for special airline and hotel rates. To reach the ALA travel desk, please call 1-800-974-9833 or 847-282-2529 and identify yourself as an attendee or exhibitor of the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The ALA travel desk is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm CST. You may also make hotel reservations by mailing or faxing the housing reservation form located in this section. In addition, you can make your hotel reservations online through the ALA home page at http://www.ala.org/annual. Choose "Travel & Accommodations" and follow the directions. The housing reservation form features SSL encryption to ensure the privacy of your information.

Hotel reservation deadlines and information

Hotel reservation requests will be accepted until April 29, 2005, subject to availability. A list of selected hotels and their rates is included in this section. Rates are quoted for the room, not per person, and all rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Special rates are available only when you book directly with the ALA travel desk. All rooms are subject to applicable tax, currently at 14.9% for hotel tax. All requests must include six choices. Make sure to give accurate dates of arrival and departure for everyone occupying the requested room. Please note that the ALA travel desk does not assume the responsibility of pairing guests for double occupancy or in multiple housing units. After April 29, 2005, the ALA travel desk will continue to make reservations on a space available basis only (i.e., book early to get the hotel of your choice).

Hotel confirmations, cancellations or changes

Confirmation of the room reservation will be acknowledged by the travel desk and sent within 72 hours. If you have any questions regarding your reservation, or to make changes or cancellations, contact the ALA Travel Desk at 1-800-974-9833 or 847-282-2529, not the hotel. A first night's room and tax deposit (payable by credit card) is required to hold hotel reservations. Your first night's deposit is refundable with at least a 72 hour cancellation notification to the hotel, prior to the day of your arrival. Check your confirmation for details on your hotel's policy.

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Airline reservations and discount information

The ALA travel desk has negotiated exclusive airfare discounts to Chicago for all ALA members and exhibitors. United Airlines is offering conference attendees and exhibitors a 10% discount off the lowest applicable fare when you book and ticket 30 days or more prior to travel. Save 5% off the lowest applicable fare when you book within 29 days of travel. Applicable restrictions must be met. To make your airline reservations through the ALA travel desk, call 1-800-621-1083 or 847-940-1176 monday through Friday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm (outside the U.S. and Canada, call 847-940-1176). You can also logon to www.ala.org/annual and click on the Travel and Accommodations link for a link to ITS Group's online airline reservations system. Easy payment by major credit cards. A $20.00 service fee will be charged per ticket.

You can also make your reservation directly with United Airlines by calling 800-521-4041 and providing ALA ID# 502CQ to receive discounts.

Airport transportation and information

Chicago is serviced by two major airports--O'Hare International and Midway Airport. For terminal and airline information for both airports, visit www.flychicago.com. To reach downtown from the airports, the Blue Line train is available from O'Hare and the Orange Line train is available from Midway. Fares are $1.75. Taxicabs are available from O'Hare at the lower level curb front of all terminals (by baggage claim). Expect to spend approximately $35 to $40 to downtown. Taxicabs are available from Midway at Lower Level Arrivals, door LL3. Expect to spend approximately $25 to downtown.

Public transportation in Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) runs train and bus lines all across Chicago. Fares are $1.75 for one ride, with an additional $.25 for 2 more rides within 2 hours. For information on routes, schedules and accessibility service, or to purchase discount visitor passes, please visit http://www.yourcta.com.

Train and bus travel to Chicago

Amtrak: numerous Amtrak train routes terminate in or pass through Chicago at Union Station. For reservations or information, contact Amtrak at 800-872-7245 or go online at www.amtrak.com.

Greyhound: all Greyhound buses arrive and depart from the station at 630 W. Harrison St. in downtown Chicago. For information, contact Greyhound at 800-229-9424 or go online at www.greyhound.com.

Rental cars

ALA has negotiated exclusive rates with Avis for rental cars during the meeting. For rates and reservations call 800-331-1600 or access the website for this event at http://www.avis.com. You must mention the Avis Worldwide Discount Number (AWD), D005980, when calling to receive the special discount.

ALA shuttle bus service

Free shuttle buses, sponsored by Gale, will operate between all participating hotels and the McCormick Place Convention Center during the conference. Service will also be provided for attendees with disabilities. Shuttle bus service schedules (including daily pick-up times, locations and destinations) will be published in Cognotes (the daily show newspaper available during the conference) and will be available onsite. Complimentary bus service is provided by Gale. Don't forget to stop by their booth and say thanks for the lift!

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

registration information

Weekly Fees

                                 EARLY BIRD      ADVANCE
                                 1/3/05-3/4/05   3/5/05-5/20/05   ONSITE

ALA member:*                     $140            $165             $225
ALA Division member:*            $135            $160             $225
Nonmember:                       $200            $245             $335
Retired member:                  $100            $125             $200
ALA Library
Student member:                   $60             $85             $100
Exhibits only badge:              $25             $25              $25
Exhibits Plus badge:              $35             $35              $35

Daily Fees (Paid on-site only)

ALA personal members:*            $88
ALA library student members:      $40
Nonmember:                       $160

* must show proof of membership

Early Bird Registration

To register in advance, print or type and complete all sections of the form that follows. You may register for all listed events and pay with one check. Use one form per person for full registration or exhibit badges only. Registration forms must be postmarked or electronically submitted by March 4, 2005 to receive Early Bird rates. After March 4, Advance rates will apply. Mail early to meet the deadline. Onsite registration begins Thursday, June 23. Bring your …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: American Library Association Annual Conference and Exhibition: June 23-29, 2005 Chicago, Illinois. Contributors: Not available. Magazine title: American Libraries. Volume: 36. Issue: 1 Publication date: January 2005. Page number: 93+. © 1984 American Library Association. COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.