Here is the ALA Press Release (original here):
RUSA’s 2017 Annual Conference President’s Program Keynote Announced
Tue, 01/31/2017
Contact:
Melissa Tracy
Marketing & Programs Specialist
Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)
[email protected]
CHICAGO – David Lankes will be the keynote speaker at the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) President’s Program Forget the Future: Our Time is Now, to be held at ALA’s upcoming Annual Conference in Chicago. David is the Director of the University of South Carolina’s School of Library & Information Science, the 2016-17 Follett Chair at Dominican’s Graduate School of Library & Information Science and recipient of the ALA 2016 Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship.
As those we serve face growing tensions of nationalism, xenophobia, racism, extremist politics and social media that seems better at building filter bubbles than societies there is a need for a community of professional dedicated to the common good and founded on knowledge. However our communities don’t need us to gate keep a collection, offer up workshops or staff a building. They need us adding value to their lives with them in their homes, classrooms, offices and devices. This President’s Program will explore how reference and user services not only remain relevant, but mobilize to addresses the real challenges of today’s community. The session will also feature two expert responders from the library world, to be announced.
Further scheduling details to come soon. There is no cost for this program, but conference registration is required in order to participate in this event – Registration opens on February 2, 2017 on the ALA Annual Conference website.
About RUSA
The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services and collection materials they need. Learn more about RUSA.