Audio version

MAY 2015 PREVIEW COGNOTES • 11

Take Time to Play

ALAPlay has been held for about 10 years. It is an evening of open gaming, learning and exploration that takes place on the Friday of Annual Conference. This year it will be at the Marriott in Yerba Buena Salon 7 from 7:30 — 10 p.m. It includes open gaming that happens with resources for the GameRT collection, plus the publishers that are on the exhibit floor are showcasing their games for attendees.

This year we will be running an Unpub during ALAPlay, where local game designers and designers from the library space are invited to bring their unpublished games to share with attendees. Games are played and the publishers get feedback, which is crucial when developing or refining a game for publication — similar to the editorial process or beta testing.

ALA's Gaming Round Table is partnering with The Unpub Network (http://unpub.net/) with the goal to showcase what an unpub event looks and feels like, so librarians can go back and start one in their library spaces. The event ties in well with gaming programs, maker spaces, and creates connections with local communities and businesses. Librarians interested in bringing in designs can contact Brian Mayer at bmayer@gvboces.org.

In the Gaming Lounge (booth 208), the fun, playful exploratory atmosphere of ALAPlay will be evidnent all conference long on the exhibit floor. The GameRT's library will be available for people to check out and play in the lounge. There will also be scheduled demo times from the game publishers that are ALA exhibitors. This year the GameRT has two publisher guests in booth 207 — Fantasy Flight Games, publishers of Battlestar Galactica, the Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings Living Card Games, Cosmic Encounter, and much more; Academy Games, publishers of award winning games such as Freedom: The Underground Railroad, 1812 Invasion of Canada, and 1775: The American Revolution!; and Paizo Publishing, who publishes the Pathfinder Role Playing and Adventure Card Games. Brian Mayer will be running two sessions using a giant (4’ x 8') version of his award winning game Freedom: The Underground Railroad. There will also be an hour sharing session on Sunday where librarians will be set up to talk about various gaming programs they are doing in their libraries.

The Gaming Lounge is interactive and exploratory, providing a space where attendees and publishers can engage with each other in a fun and relaxed environment. Librarians can experience first-hand game resources and gaming programs and take ideas back to their libraries to start programs of their own.

Sign up Now for Preconference Workshop with StoryCorps

Join StoryCorps and ALA's Public Programs Office for a one-day preconference workshop on Friday, June 26, and learn how you can bring successful oral history programming to your library.

The workshop, “StoryCorps @your library: Enhance Library Programming through Oral History Narratives,” will be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco as part of ALA's 2015 Annual Conference and Exhibition.

Registration is now open at http://alaac15.ala.org/register-now. (Find us under Friday's ticketed events). Participants need not be registered for the ALA Annual Conference to attend the workshop.

StoryCorps staff will lead this highly interactive hands-on workshop, offering practical tips for ensuring that your programs are a success. Topics will include establishing a StoryCorps-inspired program model; recording and preserving conversations; a discussion of equipment needs; and suggestions and strategies for creating engaging and successful public programs at your institution. Participants will also receive hands-on training on the new StoryCorps app, so you will be able to leave the training and begin recording immediately.

As part of the workshop, librarians who have already participated in the StoryCorps @ your library initiative will present about their program, as well as share their experiences and advice.

Register by June 20 and receive an advance rate of $235 (ALA member) or $290 (nonmembers). The onsite cost is $290 for members and $345 for nonmembers.

For more StoryCorps-related resources, download “StoryCorps @ your library: A Toolkit for Success” at http://www.programminglibrarian.org/storycorps/files/SCL_DIY_Guide_2014.pdf.

EXTENDED SERVICE

MICHAEL L. PRINTZ PROGRAM & RECEPTION at San Francisco Marriott Marquis

Buses for the event will pick up and drop off at the Moscone Convention Center.

ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE at Hotel Nikko

Buses drop off and pick up at the Hilton SF Union Square on Taylor St. Attendees to walk to and from the Hilton for shuttles. Shuttle service provided for Routes 5, 6, Walk hotels only. No shuttle service for Routes 1-4 hotels as the Hotel Nikko is within walking distance.

CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARDS & BREAKFAST at San Francisco Marriott Marquis

Buses for the event will pick up and drop off at the Moscone Convention Center.

NEWBERY-CALDECOTT-WILDER AWARDS at Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Shuttle service provided for Routes 5, 6, Walk hotels only. No shuttle service for Routes 1-4 hotels as the Hilton is within walking distance.

To make a reservation for a wheelchair-accessible shuttle
please see the supervisor at the Moscone Center or call Kushner & Associates at 310-975-4528.

THANK YOU FOR 50 YEARS SPONSORING SHUTTLE SERVICE

Be sure to stop by Gale, Cengage Learning Booth #703 and check out what's new!