REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Registration is now open for the National 3rd Annual Celebration of Latino Children's Literature @
The University of Alabama, April 23rd – 24th. For more information visit the conference website: http://www.latinochildlitconf.org/. Registration is limited so hurry before you miss your chance to interact with 6 Latino/a children's and young adult author's and illustrators, and to network with professionals serving the literacy needs of Latino children in classrooms, libraries, and educational settings around the U.S.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: PANELS, PAPERS, AND POSTERS 
 
The Latino population has been rapidly growing in the United States for several years with 1 in 6 (approximately 46.9 million) residents identifying as Latino. Population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that 1 of every 2 people added to the nation’s population is of Latino heritage and that 1 in 4 children under the age of 5 are Latino. At the same time, the U.S. has the 2nd largest population of “Latinos” in the world, surpassed only by Mexico whose population is 110 million. 
Considering this tremendous growth in the Latino population, the need for information, resources, mentoring, and research on how to serve the informational, educational, and literacy needs of this richly, diverse population is critical now more than ever. It is imperative that schools and libraries reach out to Latino families in ways that are culturally and linguistically relevant. As preservice and practicing educators and librarians, we must strengthen our understanding of the Latino cultures and learn ways to create intercultural connections. 
The Connecting Cultures & Celebrating Cuentos conference was created for the purpose of promoting high-quality children’s literature about the Latino cultures and to offer a forum for librarians, educators, researchers, and students to openly discuss strategies for meeting the informational, educational, and literacy needs of Latino children and their families. Featuring nationally-acclaimed Latino literacy scholars and award-winning Latin@ authors and illustrators of children’s books, this exclusive conference is truly an unforgettable experience.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: In keeping with the idea of celebrating Latino children’s literature and creating intercultural connections, we invite poster and program proposals that contribute to and extend existing knowledge in the following areas: Latino children’s literature, bilingual education, Latino family involvement in the school curriculum, Latino cultural literacy, library services to Latino children and their families, literacy programs utilizing Latino children’s literature, educational needs of Latino children, educational opportunities and collaborations with El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), Latino children’s responses to culturally-responsive literature, social influences of children’s media on Latino youth, Noche de Cuentos literacy programs in schools and libraries and other related topics. Presentations and posters can share recent research or provide practical suggestions for current or preservice librarians and educators.

PROGRAM PROPOSALS: To submit your program proposal, please provide the following information:  a 250 word (maximum) abstract of your presentation along with the program title;  the name of the program organizer; the names of all presenters and their affiliations along with their preferred contact phone, email, and address; and your preferred presentation day (Friday or Saturday) to conference chair Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo at [log in to unmask] Please be sure to put “program proposal” in your subject heading.

POSTER PROPOSALS: To submit your poster proposal, please provide the following information:  the title of your poster; a 200 word (maximum) abstract of your poster; the subject of your poster (choose Literature/Media Studies, Programs & Services in Libraries, Educational & Literacy Strategies, or Exemplary Programs); your name and affiliation; and your preferred contact phone, email, and address to conference chair Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo at [log in to unmask] Please be sure to put “poster proposal” in your subject heading.


The deadline for proposal submissions is February 26th, 2010 with notification of acceptance by March 1st, 2010. Conference registration begins January 31, 2010. Conference registration began January 31, 2010. Additional conference information will be available at that time via the conference website: http://www.latinochildlitconf.org/ 

 We look forward to receiving your proposals and seeing you in April at our Celebracíon of Latino Children’s Literature! Need more information on the conference? Contact Conference Chair Jamie Naidoo at [log in to unmask] or 205-348-4610.

--
Jaime Campbell Naidoo, Ph.D.
Assistant & Foster-EBSCO Endowed Professor
School of Library & Information Studies
University of Alabama
513 Gorgas Library  - Box 870252
Tuscaloosa,  AL 35487-0252
Phone: (205) 348-1518
Fax: (205) 348-3746