Tulane University's
Louisiana Research Collection

The American Library Association annual conference and exhibit is being held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other local venues, June 23-28, 2011. This conference “is the world’s largest event for the library community… Bringing together more than 25,000 librarians, educators, authors, publishers, literacy experts, illustrators and the leading suppliers to the market.” * The most recent ALA annual summer conference to be held here was in 2006, at a time when our hotels and restaurants were trying to recover from the Katrina disaster. For more information about the exhibits and events, see the official conference web site and this article in nola.com describing some free events over the weekend. If you have the opportunity to take a break in your busy schedule, please come visit the Louisiana Research Collection and other special collections in Joseph Merrick Jones Hall on the Tulane University campus. Mayor Mitch Landrieu addressing the Opening General Session on Friday...

Filmmake Joe Sanford has recently made his documentary on John Kennedy Toole, the Omega Point, available to watch online. Sanford used images, correspondence and other materials from the John Kennedy Toole papers in this documentary. Having seen special screenings of the documentary around town, we are thrilled that Sanford has made it available to the public, and encourage you to watch and learn more about one of New Orleans' most famous authors. The Omega Point can be viewed online here . Posted by Eira Tansey. (Image of John Kennedy Toole, John Kennedy Toole papers, Manuscripts Collection 740, Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University Libraries. Image may not be reproduced without permission.)

Today is #AskArchivists day on Twitter, in which over 120 archives and archival organizations from around the world are fielding questions from the public. The Louisiana Research Collection (@LA_Research) is participating, and we invite you to ask us questions - today or any day! You can keep up with the activity by following the #AskArchivists hashtag on Twitter, and following us @LA_Research . Posted by Eira Tansey.