NEW YORK, NY -- September 10, 2003 -- The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and LearningTimes, LLC announced today that the ACRL, the largest division of the American Library Association, is the lead sponsor of the LearningTimes Library Online Conference 2003: "Innovations by information Professionals."

The 2003 LearningTimes Library Online Conference: Innovations by Information Professionals (LTLOC) will take place completely online over five days in October (20 - 24). LTLOC is the first online forum to address in depth the practical issues facing today's libraries, historical societies, archives, and museums. A complete description of LTLOC 2003 can be found on the conference website at http://www.libraryconference.org/.

"We are very pleased to partner with the LearningTimes team on this unique event," said Tyrone H. Cannon, President of the ACRL. "Sponsoring LTLOC 2003 is another step in our mission to enhance the effectiveness of academic and research librarians to advance learning, teaching, and research in higher education. The online conference will address the role of the library in the academic enterprise and the impact of information technology on library services. These crucial activities are a key part of the foundation of the partnerships and connections we must establish to ensure the success of learning communities and knowledge building."

"LTLOC 2003 responds to the pressing need for high quality professional development and community building in the information services field," said Jonathan Finkelstein, President and Executive producer of LearningTimes. "We've prepared five days of interactive and social learning opportunities online, with over 50 industry leaders delivering interactive webcasts, voice and text based chat sessions, and moderated discussion boards. We are pleased to be supported by the ACRL in bringing these human networking and learning activities to life for professionals across the globe - live from their desktops."

Keynote speakers include:

Steven M. Cohen is the creator of Library Stuff, a library weblog dedicated to resources for keeping current and professional development. He is also the Internet Spotlight columnist for Public Libraries Magazine. Steven's first book, Keeping Current - Advanced Internet Strategies to Meet Librarian and Patron Needs, will be published in October 2003.

Dr. Siva Vaidhyanathan, a cultural historian and media scholar, is the author of Copyrights and Copywrongs: The Rise of Intellectual Property and How it Threatens Creativity and The Anarchist in the Library: How Peer-to- Peer Networks are Transforming Politics, Culture, and Information.

Mark Weitzman, Director of the Task Force Against Hate and Terrorism at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, coordinates the SWC's research and activities on extremism, intergroup relations, the Internet, and hate crimes.

A complete list of presenters and a program of events is available on the LTLOC website at http://www.libraryconference.org/. LearningTimes is currently soliciting nominations for Innovations in Information Services Awards, which will recognize individual and organizational contributions to the information services community. The awards will be presented during LTLOC 2003.

For more information, registration or sponsorship opportunities please visit the conference website at http://www.libraryconference.org, write to library@learningtimes.net or call John Walber at 215-884-7321.

About ACRL

ACRL is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products, and services to meet the unique needs of academic librarians. ACRL's 12,400 members are comprised of individuals from a wide range of academic institutions, publishers, and vendors who sell in the academic marketplace. ACRL enhances the effectiveness of academic and research librarians to advance learning, teaching and research in higher education.

For more information about ACRL's programs and services please visit www.ala.org/acrl; call the ACRL at 800-545-2433, ext. 2522; or e-mail: acrl@ala.org.

ACRL is a division of the American Library Association.

About LearningTimes, LLC

LearningTimes, LLC is the leading producer of online communities and conferences in the education and library market. LearningTimes designs and manages learning programs and events, as well as the environments, applications and marketing strategies that make them successful.

The LearningTimes Network, a coalition of 30 vibrant, online learning communities, serves over 13,000 members and includes groups delivering educational programs, workshops and events in information literacy, poetry, museum education, professional development for college and K-12 educators, corporate training, continuing and professional education, and product user group support. For more information visit: http://www.learningtimes.net.