¾«¶«´«Ã½Diversity and Outreach Fair

Each year, the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services invites library professionals from all kinds of institutions to submit proposals to participate in the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Diversity and Outreach Fair, which is held during ALA’s Annual Conferences. The Diversity and Outreach Fair is part of ¾«¶«´«Ã½Annual's various poster sessions.  The Fair highlights library services to underserved or underrepresented communities, including people with disabilities; people experiencing poverty and homelessness; people of color; English-language learners; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; new Americans, 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 ¾«¶«´«Ã½Annual Conference in the exhibits hall. In addition, the participants are encouraged to submit, in digital format, information, and resources from their program.

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About the Fair

Each year, the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services invites library professionals from all kinds of institutions to submit proposals to participate in the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Diversity and Outreach Fair, which is held ARSL presenting at 2018 Poster Sessionduring ALA’s Annual Conferences. The Diversity and Outreach Fair is part of ¾«¶«´«Ã½Annual's various poster sessions.

The Fair highlights library services to underserved or underrepresented communities, including people with disabilities; people experiencing poverty and homelessness; people of color; English-language learners; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; new Americans, 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 ¾«¶«´«Ã½Annual Conference in the exhibits hall. In addition, the participants are encouraged to submit, in digital format, information, and resources from their program.

Presentation spaces will include a 4x8 raised bulletin board and a skirted 6' table. Presenters are responsible for their own handouts, printing, and materials needed to hang posters.

Please note: presenters are responsible for their own registration to ¾«¶«´«Ã½Annual Conference.

Questions can be directed at diversity@ala.org

Past Fairs

Before 2018, the Diversity and Outreach Fair had specific themes and was not part of ¾«¶«´«Ã½Annual's poster sessions. During these presentations, a group of jurors would choose one poster to win a grand prize. While we do not follow this model anymore, you can find information on past Diversity and Outreach Fair poster sessions below.

2017:

  • Theme: Inclusive Outreach: Providing Services to the Underserved and Marginalized

2016:

  • Theme: Libraries Transform: Outreach in Response to Civil Unrest
  • 2016 Diversity & Outreach Fair presenters (pdf)
  • 2016 Winners:
    • Yolo County (CA) Library, "Families Together in Public Library: A Second Chance for Probationer Parents"
    • REFORMA - The National Association to Promote Library Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking
    • Anaheim (CA) Public Library Bookmobile
2015:
  • Theme: Library Services for People Experiencing Poverty and Homelessness
  • 2015 Diversity & Outreach Fair presenters (pdf)
  • 2015 Winners
    • First Place: University of North Carolina Greensboro, “The Library as an Incubator of Anti-Discrimination and Multicultural Engagement”
    • Second Place: University of Tennessee-Knoxville School of Information Sciences and the Center for Literacy, Education, and Employment, “Public Libraries and LGBTQ Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An IMLS Project
    • Third Place: Brooklyn Public Library, “Growing Outreach: Serving People Where they Are”
2014:
2013:
2012:
2011:
  • Theme: Family Literacy
2010:

Questions?

For additional information about the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Diversity and Outreach Fair, please contact the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services, 800-545-2433, ext. 2140, or diversity@ala.org.