While most of the sessions during the AJL 2021 Digital Conference: Moving Forward are scheduled between 11:00am-4:00pm EDT, you’ll want to keep your evenings open too so you don’t miss out on these special programs:
Sunday, June 27
5:00pm EDT A Little Schmooze and BYO Nosh
A great networking opportunity for any AJL member interested in learning more about the American Library Association (ALA) and vice versa. Come meet members of AJL’s Board and Council, network with librarians from around the country, and listen to publishers and authors discuss their upcoming work.
7:00pm EDT Virtual Hospitality Suite
Pop in to chat with past AJL Presidents and connect with other conference attendees in a casual, informal environment.
Monday, June 28
5:00pm EDT How to Nurture a Meaningful Career in Jewish Education
Rabbi Aharon Assaraf from TalentEducators will give insight into recent hiring trends in Jewish education, along with tips and techniques for navigating the job market.
7:00pm EDT Author Showcase
Calling all conference participants with a new book coming out in 2021 and 2022: Here’s your chance to share your work with AJL! Fill out this form by May 14 if you are interested in participating.
Tuesday, June 29
5:00pm EDT Judaic Perspectives, Public Spaces
Jonina Duker will share her experience discussing Jewish books in public libraries (and other interesting places).
7:00pm EDT Book Discussion: The Lost Shtetl by Max Gross
Join members of the AJL Fiction Award Committee for a discussion of the 2021 Award Winner, The Lost Shtetl by Max Gross.
Wednesday, June 30
5:00pm EDT SSCPL Vendor Roundtable
Meet exhibitors and vendors who provide books and services for schools, synagogues, centers, and public libraries. Discuss your concerns about the future of Jewish literature, online access for schools, and cataloging challenges. Participants will receive special offers and be eligible for exclusive giveaways. Note: The RAS Vendor Roundtable will be on Monday, June 28 at 1:00pm.
7:00pm EDT Storytime Showcase
Experienced librarians and early childhood experts, Max Handelman, Amy Lilien-Harper, Amy Meltzer and Heidi Rabinowitz, will share techniques and tips for successful storytimes.
7:00pm EDT Film Event: The Last Cyclist
The Last Cyclist is a scathing satire, originally written in Terezín, in which bicycle riders are blamed for all of society’s ills and systematically hunted down and murdered. The play was banned because the Jewish Council of Elders feared that the allegorical sendup of the Nazis was too dangerous. Nearly lost to time, The Last Cyclist was painstakingly reconstructed, first as a play and more recently as a film, earning several awards at 2020 festivals. Conference attendees will receive a link and promo code to stream the film from home in advance of the panel discussion with writer Naomi Patz, Dr. Lisa Peschel, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television at the University of York, and Lukas Pribyl director of the Czech Centre in Tel Aviv.
Thursday, July 1
5:00pm EDT Virtual Hospitality Suite
Another opportunity to chat with past AJL Presidents and connect with other conference attendees in a casual, informal environment.
7:00pm EDT Game Night!
Who has the most unique Zoom background? Dare to try your luck at AJL & Library Trivia! Prizes will be awarded! Bring your own beverage and/or munchies and encourage all of your AJL friends to celebrate the end of the conference with us.
The full conference program is available on the AJL website. Abstracts and presenter bios will be available to conference registrants through the Socio app. The registration fee is $65 for AJL members and $35 for students. We welcome non-members to register for $150 but we encourage you to join AJL to benefit from the member rate.
REGISTER HERE
For more information, go to www.jewishlibraries.org, or e-mail conference@jewishlibraries.org.
Contact ajladmanager@gmail.com to place an ad in the conference program book or to become a sponsor, exhibitor, or vendor.
Visit the AJL Zazzle Store to purchase t-shirts, pens, notebooks and more!