Heading to Chicago for ALA Midwinter at the end of the month? Check out these conference sessions hosted by The ALA Washington Office:

Whither Washington?: The 2014 Election and What it Means for Libraries
Saturday, January 31, 2015
8:30–10:00a.m.

A panel of experts from the ranks of politics, academia and the press will explore the implications of the November mid-term Congressional elections for America, libraries and library advocacy at the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. ALA invited U.S. Senator and Democratic Majority Whip Richard Durbin to keynote the conference session. The session, titled “Whither Washington?: The 2014 Election and What it Means for Libraries,” takes place from 8:30–10:00a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015, in the McCormick Convention Center, room W183A. With critical bills to reauthorize federal library funding, efforts to reform key privacy and surveillance statutes, and changes to copyright law all likely to be on legislators’ plates, libraries will engage heavily with the newly-elected 114th Congress.

An Hour a Week: Library Advocacy is Easy!!!
Saturday, January 31, 2015
10:30–11:30a.m.

In her inaugural column for American Libraries, titled “Advocate. Today.,” American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young challenged librarians of all types, and friends of libraries, to commit to spending just an hour a week advocating for libraries. To take the mystery out of just what “advocacy” means, how to do it and how to have fun along the way, ALA’s Offices of Intellectual Freedom (OIF), Library Advocacy (OLA), Public Information and the Washington Office will partner with all ALA divisions to present “An Hour a Week: Library Advocacy is Easy!!!” during the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Chicago.

The session, which will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015, from 10:30–11:30 a.m., will be led by the ever-popular “Advocacy Guru,” Stephanie Vance, who will walk “newbies” and “old pros” alike through just what advocacy means today–from engaging with the local PTAs and library boards to lobbying the White House. With the help of panelists from OIF and OLA, Vance will share easy advocacy strategies and lead a lightening tour of the many terrific ALA advocacy resources available to give “ALAdvocates” everything they need to answer Courtney’s call.

All Eyes on IMLS: Funding Priorities and Reauthorization
Saturday, January 31, 2015
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Thinking about new funding sources for your library? Join leaders from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) when they discuss federal library funding resources at the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session, titled “All Eyes on IMLS: Funding Priorities and Reauthorization,” takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015, in the McCormick Convention Center, room W183A.

Library 3D Printing—Unlocking the Opportunities, Understanding the Challenges
Sunday, February 1, 2015
10:30–11:30 a.m.

Technological developments in 3D printing are empowering people to learn new skills, launch business ventures and solve complex health problems. As this cutting-edge technology becomes more common in libraries, what do librarians need to know? Join a panel of information professionals for the session “Library 3D Printing—Unlocking the Opportunities, Understanding the Challenges” which takes place during the 2015 American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session will be held from 10:30–11:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015, in the McCormick Convention Center room W470A.

What is a Policy Revolution! Anyway?
Sunday, February 1, 2015
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Library and policy leaders will discuss Policy Revolution!, an initiative to advance national policy for libraries and our communities, during the 2015 American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session, titled “What is a Policy Revolution! anyway?,” takes place from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015 in the McCormick Convention Center, room W196A. In a time of dramatic technological advances and increasing competition for federal resources, the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy launched the Policy Revolution!, a grant-funded effort that focuses on establishing proactive policy priorities, engaging decision makers and influencers and upgrading the organization’s policy capacity. Come to learn more about the initiative, discuss a preliminary policy agenda and how it all relates to the ALA’s overall strategy.

ALA DCWG: Libraries and Ebooks—Where Do We Go from Here?
Sunday, February 1, 2015
10:30–11:30 a.m.

How much do you know about the current library ebook lending environment? A leading panel of library and publishing experts will provide an update on the library ebook lending market and discuss the best ways for libraries to bring together authors and readers in the digital age at the 2015 American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session “ALA DCWG: Libraries and Ebooks—Where Do We Go from Here?” takes place from 10:30–11:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015, in the McCormick Convention Center in room W196B.

During the session, leaders of ALA’s Digital Content Working Group (DCWG) and an expert panel provide insights on new opportunities available to libraries now that five of the world’s largest publishers provide libraries with access to their full ebook catalogs. The expert panel will explore new ebook lending issues, such as business models, pricing structures, privacy terms, and digital preservation. The working group will provide a summary of recent DCWG advocacy activities and explore new opportunities for collaboration between libraries and authors.

Tell the IRS: Tax Forms in the Library
Sunday, February 1, 2015
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Want to comment on the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) tax form delivery service? Discuss your experiences obtaining tax forms for your library at “Tell the IRS: Tax Forms in the Library,” a session that takes place during the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015, in the McCormick Place, the Chicago Convention Center, room W187. Trish Evans, administrator of distribution for the IRS, will lead the discussion that will explore library participation in the agency’s Tax Forms Outlet Program (TFOP). The TFOP offers tax forms and products to the American public primarily through participating libraries and post offices.