Press Release

ONTARIO, Calif., November 3, 2005 – Teachers, librarians and others committed to enhancing student learning have bookmarked their seats for the California Reading Association Annual Conference and the California School Library Association Annual Conference scheduled for November 3-5 and 17-20, respectively, at the Ontario Convention Center.

"Ontario will be ground zero for educators with mandates to improve the way students are taught to read," said Bob Brown, general manager of Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Educators will learn new tactics to enhance the future of education in California."

Brown estimates the conferences will provide $1,042,625 in economic impact to the City of Ontario.

The California Reading Association Conference will bring together language arts and reading educators at the primary, secondary and high school levels. Special workshops and sessions will take place at the Ontario Convention Center during the three-day event while professional development institutes will take place at the nearby Doubletree Hotel. This year, the conference will focus on integrating literacy with other content areas.

The California School Library Association Annual Conference will focus on enhancing student learning by building a better future for school libraries. The four-day conference will provide "conflict free" exhibit time and free seminars, including Successful Strategies for Grant Writing and Developing a Library Media Education Class. Its goal is to showcase the latest advancements in the library industry in a comfortable atmosphere.

Both events are scheduled for the Ontario Convention Center at 2000 Convention Center Way.

The California Reading Association Conference is scheduled for Thursday, November 3 through Saturday, November 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday). Three-day admission is $200 for members, $235 for non-members, $120 for group members and $75 for students. One day admission is $125 for members, $175 for non-members, $65 for group members and $50 for students. For more information, contact Kathy Belanger at (714) 435-1983 or visit www.californiareads.org.

The California School Library Association Annual Conference is scheduled for Thursday, November 17 through Sunday, November 20 from 1-8:30 p.m., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 9:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 11 a.m.-1 p.m., respectively. Four-day admission is $185 for members and $260 for non-members. One day admission is $85 for members and $110 for non-members on Friday and Saturday and $70 for members and $85 for non-members on Sunday. For more information, contact Sue Dalrymple at (916) 447-2684 or visit www.csla.net/conf2005/index.html.