Join Us in Chicago!
The Offical New Members Business Meeting will be held on Monday, May 19th from 6:00-8:00PM in the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Toronto .

Business Meeting II - Discussion Forum will be held on Tuesday, May 20th from 7:00-9:00AM in the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Gold Coast .

Co-sponsored Program!
Connecting the Dots: Strategies for Building A Portable Career (Leadership, Networking, Professional Development & Career Building and Career Reinvention) and Speed Mentoring.

When & Where: Monday, May 19th from 2:00-3:00PM in Columbus IJ

About the Session:

Connecting the Dots” is a two-part, hands-on session. In part one, attendees will participate in roundtables on professional development and job-searching skills and techniques. Part two is a speed mentoring session, in which mentees will have ten minute meetings with two to three library administrators to review resumes and discuss professional development opportunities. Featured table discussion topics include:

Table 1: Leadership - Facilitators: Lisa Boyd & Neville Prendergast
Table 2: Professional Networking - Facilitators: Gabriel Rios & Meredith Solomon
Table 3: Career Reinvention - Facilitator: Mary C. Congleton & Molly Knapp
Table 4: Professional Development/Career Building - Facilitators: Julia Player & Heidi Sandstrom. Register online by May 12, 2008.

Join Us for Dinner in Chicago
Sunday, May 18^th, 6:00pm at the Weber Grill, 539 N. State Street, Chicago, 60610. The restaurant is a short distance from the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Please RSVP to Ely Anderson, by Friday, May 9, 2008. Need Directions? Click here to view the Google Map.

About Weber Grill Restaurant
The Weber Grill Restaurant is the result of over 50 years of Classic Outdoor Grilling—from the people who invented the Weber kettle grill.

You'll taste the difference that decades of grilling expertise make. Our secrets: quality ingredients, grilling expertise, and Weber grills in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Folks who like barbecue will love our Grilled Appetizers, Flame Grilled Burgers and our thick, juicy Steaks.

For more information, visit the Weber Grill Restaurant web site.

Information for 1st Time Conference Attendees!
If the 2008 Annual Meeting is your first conference please review MLA 08 Tips for First Timers & New Attendees. These tips will help you maximize your time and get the most of your first conference experience.

Mark Your Calendars! - Colleague Connection
This popular networking program pairs a new member or first-time attendee with an experienced member. Once assigned, the pairs work out their own meeting schedules. To participate, either as someone seeking a connection or as a volunteer connecting with someone attending an MLA annual meeting for the first time, register online today!

You're Invited! - New Members/First-time Attendees Breakfast
Is this your first time attending an MLA annual meeting or are you a new member? Please attend the New Member/First-time Attendee Breakfast hosted by the Membership Committee, Sunday, May 18, in the Regency Ballroom A at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. For more information, contact Dean Hendrix, chair designate, Membership Committee, or MLA headquarters.