129th Annual Conference, June 23-29, Chicago: ALA's kind of town; Highlights, key meetings and events, and what's new for 2005.(ANNUAL CONFERENCE)(Brief Article)

From a visit to Oprah's Harpo studios and the lakefront's Navy Pier to dining on deep-dish pizza or a Chicago-style hot dog, a variety of activities and cuisines await some 20,000 librarians, library supporters, vendors, and others expected to attend business meetings, participate in an assortment of social gatherings, and hear an array of guest speakers and authors during ALA's 129th Annual Conference in Chicago at McCormick Place and a dozen area hotels.

Advocacy is the overall conference theme with three preconferences that target beginning as well as seasoned library supporters, including trustees, Friends, and public librarians. All preconference events will take place Friday, June 24 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. Register online at www.ala.org/ala/eventsandconferencesb/annual/2005a/home.htm.

"The Advocacy Institute," from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sheraton Ballroom V, will focus on the novice library advocate. Attendees will learn how to build a community of support for their libraries and to develop strategies for dealing with library issues specific to their communities. The deadline for online registration is June 10. Onsite registration is also available. The cost is $10 per person. The event is hosted by the Carol Brey-Casiano Presidential Committee, the Public Awareness Committee, the Chapter Relations Committee, the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA), and Friends of Libraries USA.

"Grassroots Library Advocacy: Creating Raving Fans" from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Chicago Hilton Ballroom X, sponsored by ALTA, is geared to-ward the seasoned library advocate. Participants will practice delivering key messages and learn how to develop a comprehensive team and create an action plan. Registration is $150 and also available onsite.

The Public Library Association (PLA) will present "Creating a Library Sales Force: It's Easier Than You Think!" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sheraton Ballroom IV, which will probe how the PLA "@ your library Smartest Card Campaign" can target key audiences--library staff, trustees, and Friends. Information will be provided on how to be informed and persuasive advocates for library services and on ways to create a library sales force. Word-of-mouth marketing campaigns will be emphasized. Advance registration for PLA members is $125; $180 for ALA members; and $235 for nonmembers. Add $50 for onsite registration.

In addition to her advocacy focus, President Brey-Casiano is also sponsoring or supporting a number of other programs:

"Many Voices, One Nation: An Evening of Sharing and Celebration of Our Lives and Stories" will be held Friday, June 24, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Harold Washington Library Center, part of Brey-Casiano's "Many Voices, One Nation" initiative. Designed to celebrate the diversity and creativity that enriches our nation, the event will include a display of talent and imagination by writers who will weave a tapestry of spoken word that expresses the myriad experiences of our varied ethnic, cultural, and lifestyle traditions. A reception follows this free event. Preregistration is encouraged. Contact thall@ala.org.

"Bienvenidos! Welcome! Marketing Your Libraries to Latinos," cosponsored by Reforma and Brey-Casiano, will be held Saturday, June 25, 11 a.m. to noon, McCormick Place, S104. A panel will discuss ideas, strategies, and resources for increasing Latino patronage in libraries, including !Bienvenidos! !Welcome! A Handy Resource Guide for Marketing Your Library to Latinos (ALA Editions, 2005) by Susannah Mississippi Byrd. In addition to Brey-Casiano and Byrd, other program panelists include: Jose Ruiz-Alvarez, Loida Garcia-Febo, Ghada Elturk, Martha Toscano.

"Real Life Joint-Use Library Partnerships," Saturday, June 25, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., McCormick Place, N228, will provide information on starting community partnerships. Brey-Casiano will join a panel discussion that will include: Ivonne Jimenez, Ana Hernandez, Norice Lee, Molly McGetrick, Monica Wong, Roger Stelk, Richard Rhodes, and Jane Light.

"Coming Full Circle: The Library …