Stacey Aldrich and Jarrid Keller

Stacey Aldrich and Jarrid Keller. Stacey is State Librarian of Hawaii, and was previously State Librarian of California and Deputy Secretary for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries in Pennsylvania. Stacey was a board member of the Association of Professional Futurists, and Library Journal named her one of the library profession’s Movers & Shakers in 2003. An engaging futurist, speaker, and workshop facilitator, Stacey challenges librarians to envision and actively shape the future of libraries. Stacey Aldrich will present the Stacey and Jarrid Show with her favorite California sidekick, Jarrid Keller, during the Night Track on Friday, November 6.

Ben Bizzle

Ben Bizzle is a library technology and marketing specialist, national speaker, consultant, and author of Start a Revolution: Stop Acting Like a Library. He is director of Technology at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, as well as creator of the library’s YouTube comedy series, administrator of the Facebook page, and member of the creative team. In 2013, he was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker.

Scott Bonner

Scott Bonner had been serving as director of the Ferguson Municipal Public Library District, MO, for just over a month when the turmoil in Ferguson put his small library on the map. When fears of violence caused many businesses to close, Bonner kept the library open and conveyed the importance of it as an oasis for all the people of the town. Over months of unrest, the message remained intact: the library is a safe space and resource for all the members of a community. Scott’s actions have served as an inspiration for libraries and librarians everywhere. Scott was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2015. He will appear in conversation with CLA President Elect, Misty Jones, on Saturday, November 7.

Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro

Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro. Mike and Christina are CLA’s lobbyists. Mike was hired as CLA’s lobbyist in 1978, and has ably represented CLA’s interests at the State Capitol since that time. In 2010, he was the 2010 recipient of CLA’s President’s Award for his outstanding compilation of successful advocacy work for CLA. Christina joined Michael F. Dillon and Associates as a lobbyist in 1994, and since that time has worked on issues on behalf of the California Library Association, ranging from protecting the privacy rights and circulation records of library patrons, defeating legislative mandates to require Internet filtering at the library, drafting and securing passage of library construction bond legislation, advising on the bond state campaigns, and monitoring the regulatory process involving the bond grants. Christina developed the concept of CLA’s “Day in the District,” a grassroots advocacy campaign, which has become a popular way to engage CLA members with legislators in their district offices, on issues of importance to the library community.

Sari Feldman

Sari Feldman is the 2015-2016 ALA President. Her compelling agenda for the future of the American Library Association is to persuade policymakers and funders that librarians are crucial participants in the formulation of national information policy that will help provide solutions to the challenges facing the nation. Sari Feldman will speak at the CPLA Awards Dinner on Thursday, November 5, and in conversation with Susan Hildreth and Patty Wong on Friday, November 6.

Theo Gluck

Theo Gluck is the Director of Library Restoration and Preservation for the Walt Disney Studios. Join Theo and Past CLA President Deborah Doyle on Saturday, November 7 as he examines the concept of “Analog Asset Management” and the techniques employed in preserving and restoring millions of feet of film for subsequent digital distribution, using “before and after” examples of classic Disney content.

Jonathan Gold

Jonathan Gold is the restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times. He won the Pulitzer Prize in criticism in 2007 and was a finalist again in 2011. A Los Angeles native, he began writing the Counter Intelligence column for the L.A. Weekly in 1986, write about death metal and gangsta rap for Rolling Stone and Spin among other places, and is delighted that he has managed to forge a career out of the professional eating of tacos. Jonathan Gold will appear in conversation with CLA President, Robert Karatsu, on Saturday, November 7.

Susan Hildreth

Susan Hildreth is a library legend who is currently Executive Director of the Peninsula Library System, Pacific Library Partnership, and Califa. Prior to this, she served as City Librarian of San Francisco, State Librarian of California, and City Librarian of Seattle Public Library. Most recently, she served a four-year term as Director of the Institute of Museum of Library Services (IMLS) in Washington D.C. Susan will speak in conversation with Sari Feldman and Patty Wong on Friday, November 6.

R. David Lankes

David Lankes is a Professor and Dean’s Scholar for the New Librarianship at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies and Director of the Information Institute of Syracuse. A passionate advocate for libraries and their essential role in today’s society, he also seeks to understand how information approaches and technologies can be used to transform industries. His book, Atlas of New Librarianship, won the 2012 ABC-CLIO/Greenwood Award for the Best Book in Library Literature. R. David Lankes will speak alongside industry experts Lori Ayre and Cheryl Gould at the Expect More preconference on Thursday, November 5.

Attica Locke

Attica Locke’s first novel, Black Water Rising, was nominated for a 2010 Edgar Award, an NAACP Image Award, as well as a Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was short-listed for the prestigious Orange Prize in the UK (now the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction). Her second book, The Cutting Season, published by Dennis Lehane books, is a national bestseller, and is a winner of the Ernest Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. Ms. Locke is a writer and producer of the Fox drama, Empire. Attica Locke is a special guest at the Party @ the Pasadena Public Library on Saturday, November 7.

Dan Santat

Dan Santat is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator who won the 2015 Caldecott Award for the most distinguished American picture book for children for his book Beekle. He also wrote The Guild of Geniuses and created the Disney Channel animated series The Replacements.  He will be joined in conversation with his buddy (and Caldecott Honor Book winner and Percy Jackson illustrator) John Rocco on Friday, November 6.  Immediately following this program, follow Dan and John to the exhibit hall where they will do a book signing.

Stephanie D. Vance

Stephanie D. Vance, also known as the “Advocacy Guru”, is the author of five books including Citizens in Action: A Guide to Influencing Government and the recently released The Influence Game. She’s a 25 year veteran of Washington, D.C. political scene and has held positions as a lobbyist, grassroots consultant and Congressional aide.

Ms. Vance holds a Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University and a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies at Georgetown University. She lives and works in Washington D.C. Stephanie will be speaking at the preconference workshop Lessons in Influence from Washington D.C. on Thursday, November 5.

Jessamyn West

Jessamyn West is a librarian and community technologist. She helps run the Internet Archive’s Open Library project and writes a column for Computers in Libraries magazine. She works with small libraries and businesses in Central Vermont to help them use technology to solve problems. Jessamyn will be speaking during the Night Track on Friday, November 6. Jessamyn also says that she is already practicing and plans to take the 2015 CLA Battledecks championship back with her to Vermont unless someone from California steps up and shows some game.

John Rocco

John Rocco is an author and illustrator of books for children. He is the winner of the Caldecott Honor for Blackout, as well as the illustrator for Rick Riordan’s multimillion copy bestselling series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Kane Chronicles and The Heroes of Olympus.

Patty Wong

Patty Wong is County Librarian/Chief Archivist for Yolo County Library and ALA Chapter Councilor for CLA.  She also serves as Secretary/Treasurer for the California County Librarians Association and faculty at the San Jose State University School of Information.  Patty was previously Deputy Director at Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library and a manager at Oakland Public Library and Berkeley Public Library.  Known for her work in diversity and inclusion, Patty was named the 2013 CLA Member of the Year, 2012 ALA Equality Award recipient,  and was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2007.  Patty will speak in conversation with ALA President Sari Feldman and Susan Hildreth onFriday, November 6.