All Sessions

ALTAFF’s popular Nuts & Bolts is jam-packed to inspire Trustees, Friends, and Foundations. Coffee begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by topics including engaging volunteers for you library and Friends group, advocacy, social media, and inspiring success stories. Lunch on your own. The afternoon session begins with David Levinson, author of “Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins.” Deborah Stone from ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom will talk about current hot topics followed by the popular roundtable discussions. Please RSVP to altaff@ala.org if you plan to attend.

ALTAFF members and potential members are invited to learn more about the organization, how to become active, and all the resources available to members. Topics include an introduction to ALTAFF, networking and qualities of a leader, ALTAFF tools of leadership, presidential goals for the upcoming year, and mechanics of committee involvement. Incoming committee members and chairs should attend. All are welcome to attend to learn more about ALTAFF and getting involved with this dynamic organization.

Bestselling authors Regina O’Melveny, Gail Tsukiyama, Jeri Westerson, and Jean Zimmerman will talk about their latest books. The program will be moderated by Barbara Hoffert, editor of Library Journal’s Prepub Alert. An author signing will follow. Some books will be given away and others will be sold at a generous discount.

Learn more about starting a Friends group in an academic setting and participate in an open discussion and idea sharing.

Join fellow Trustees and Friends for a lively and informative discussion about future trends in libraries featuring Cheryl Gould, training consultant at Infopeople, and ALA executive director Keith Michael Fiels. Ticketed event.

Love is in the air with this program that features bestselling romance writers Deborah Coonts, Tessa Dare, Jillian Hunter, Susan Mallery, and Jill Shalvis. The program will be moderated by Barbara Hoffert, editor of Library Journal’s Prepub Alert. An author signing will follow. Some books will be given away and others will be sold at a generous discount.

Annual board meeting for the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations. All are invited.

Larry Neal, Director of Clinton Macomb County Library and Deborah Doyle, Chairperson of the Legislation, Advocacy and Intellectual Freedom Committee from California will talk about frontline advocacy for Friends and Trustees.

Join world renowned comedian Paula Poundstone along with Carlos Kotkin, Joel Stein, Julia Pandl, Lizz Winstead, and Tracy Macmillan as they provide laughs aplenty at this event sponsored by Playaway. Wine and cheese platters will be served adding to the festive end-of-the day occasion. Buy your tickets early as this event often sells out.

ALTAFF president Donna McDonald welcomes Dan Rather, an award winning journalist who anchored CBS Evening News for decades. One of America's most decorated news journalists of all time, Rather is the author of “Rather Outspoken,” a complete and thorough memoir as he looks back over his storied and sometimes controversial career and reveals his personal thoughts and reflections. A book signing will follow.

Join this panel discussion to learn about board development, succession planning, and board governance. Panelists will include Sally Gardner Reed, executive director of ALTAFF; Kathy Gould, director of the Palos Verdes (Calif.) Library District; Jane Jones, past Trustee and current president of the Peninsula Friends of the Library (Palos Verdes, Calif.), and Debbie Sinclair, president of the Friends of the Aliso Viejo (Calif.) Library.

Is it perfect for young adult readers? For adult readers? Or both? This program features authors who have written books that will appeal to both young adults and adults. Authors will include Katie McGarry, Shana Abe, Laura Harrington, Kate Locke, Maggie Stiefvater, and Matt Dembicki. A book signing will follow with most books given away free. Barbara Hoffert, editor of Library Journal's Prepub Alert, will moderate the panel.

Join best-selling authors, including Jane Green, Adam Mansbach, Andrew Gross, Dustin Thomason, and Selden Edwards, who will talk about and sign their latest books (most given away free). Enjoy a light high-tea and mingle with your peers at this traditional event sponsored by ReferenceUSA. Buy your tickets early as this event often sells out.