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Events

PALA – The Annual Meeting program

Librarians and other educators from all over the country will come together June 23 at the Polish Museum of America in Chicago for the 7th Annual Meeting of the Polish American Librarians Association. The meeting is scheduled to coincide with the American Library Association’s June 22-27 Annual Conference, also scheduled this year in Chicago. The meeting will commence at noon and run until 4:00 p.m., featuring keynote speaker Mary Wisniewski, Chicago Tribune reporter and columnist and author of a new biography of legendary Chicago writer Nelson Algren titled Algren: A Life. Wisniewski will discuss discoveries she made about her heritage and Polish culture in Chicago while researching the book.

The Annual Meeting program will also include a panel discussion titled “What Librarians Need to Know about Polish Genealogy” and featuring Matt Rutherford of Chicago’s Newberry Library and Justyna Cwynar and Amanda Jensen of the Wilmette Illinois Family History Center. An optional tour of the Polish Museum of America is scheduled for 11:00 and a one-hour tour of the PMA Library will commence at the conclusion of the meeting.

If you have never been to the Polish Museum, or if you haven’t been there lately, you are in for a treat. The museum is the largest of its kind in the world and features an art gallery, exhibits, numerous events and programs for adults and children, and a splendid Gift Shop. The meeting will take place in the Sabina P. Logisz Great Hall, at 984 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60642. Admission is free to PALA members. Membership in the Polish American Librarians Association is $25. A $10 donation from nonmembers will be happily accepted.

Please reserve your spot now: RSVP by e-mail: palalib@gmail.com or register online at palalib.org. Join us! Bring your friends! You don’t have to be Polish, and you don’t have to be a librarian to love libraries!

The schedule in a nutshell:
Optional: Polish Museum of America tour 11:00-Noon RSVP

Noon-12:30
Check-in: Refreshments and Treats

12:30-1:00
Welcome, Introductions, Year in Review
Leonard Kniffel, PALA President & Member PMA Board of Directors
Joanna Klos, PALA Secretary & Librarian Wood Dale (IL) Public Library

1:00-2:00
“What Librarians Need to Know about Polish Genealogy” Panel Discussion
Matt Rutherford, Newberry Library
Justyna Cwynar & Amanda Jensen, Wilmette Illinois Family History Center
Leonard Kniffel, Moderator

2:00-3:00
“A Journalist’s View of Polish Heritage”
Keynote Address by Mary Wisniewski
Q&A to Follow

3:00-3:30
Closing Remarks & Attendee Announcements

3:30-4:00
Visit to Polish Museum of America Library
Mary Wisniewski & Leonard Kniffel, Book Signing, Gift Shop
Proceeds to Benefit Polish Museum

RSVP to palalib@gmail.com

Great Hall

Sabina P. Logisz Great Hall was originally designed as the auditorium for the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America headquarters. In 1939, it was adapted for the needs of the Museum. The center space of the Great Hall presents rotating temporary exhibitions of documentary and historical content, as well as art and artists, both local and international.

Learn more