Librarians and library staff from across the state of Oregon will gather at the Riverhouse Convention Center in Bend, Oregon for Oregon Library Association’s (OLA) annual library conference from April 25 through April 27. This is the first time since 1994 that Oregon Library Association’s annual conference has taken place in Central Oregon.   Please note: Deschutes Public Library’s six branches and administration office will be closed Thursday, April 26, 2012 to allow staff to attend one day of the OLA Conference.

“We are proud to share the wonders of Central Oregon with Oregon’s Library community,” said Deschutes Public Library Director and OLA Conference Chair Todd Dunkelberg. “At this year’s conference, we have an exciting array of speakers, educational sessions, and exhibitors lined up for conference attendees.”

 The conference will draw in more than 400 people from across the state and the Library hopes the local community feels a boost in the economy during these three days.

Library futurist, Stephen Abram, will present at the conference regarding the future of libraries.  Mr. Abram is regarded as one of the top 50 people influencing the future of libraries as listed by Library Journal.

“Libraries transform lives and will continue to do so in the future,” said State Librarian MaryKay Dahlgreen. “The conference allows library staff the opportunity to see what other libraries across Oregon are currently doing and what the future may hold. I am especially excited that we are meeting in beautiful Deschutes County, one of my favorite parts of Oregon.”

This year’s conference also includes Robert Killen, Executive Director of the City Club of Central Oregon, as the keynote speaker to discuss ways to build community connections in his presentation, Building Dialog in the Age of Demons.

“The Oregon Library Association represents a wide variety of libraries, their patrons, volunteers, staffs and advocates,” said Abigail Elder, OLA President and Tualatin Public Library Manager. “Speakers come from universities, public libraries, law libraries, state government, K-12 schools, and other institutions, so the Conference is the perfect place to learn from our colleagues,”

More information about this year’s conference can be found at www.olaweb.org/page/conf2012.