By Arlene Cohen
For Variety

THE Pacific Islands Association of Libraries and Archives is holding its 2007 annual conference this week at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino and the island’s new public library.
The theme for the conference from Nov. 12 to 17 is “It Can be Done: With Advocacy, Libraries can Thrive on Pacific Islands.”
The theme follows from the advocacy work being done throughout the region stemming from a library advocacy workshop held at last year’s conference in Palau.
A conference highlight will be Karen Peacock, curator and librarian of the University of Hawaii Hamilton Library Pacific Collection, who will lead a session on Pacific Ocean adventures, Micronesians surviving danger at sea and how library resources can be used for historical research.
Participants will also have the opportunity to take training sessions on map cataloging, searching the Internet effectively, new software library applications and much more.
In keeping with the goal of networking between librarians, archivists and museum personnel, there will be traditional Chamorro barbeques and island hospitality.
A pre-conference workshop in Tinian on “Protecting Library & Archive Collections: Disaster Preparedness, Response & Recovery” is also planned from November 12-14 with sponsorship by the Western States & Territories Preservation Assistance Service.
This funding will allow librarians from throughout the region to attend this important event.
PIALA extends a warm invitation to all librarians, archivists, museum employees, and all others interested in attending the conference.
For further information and registration information, please contact Richard Creecy, the PIALA 2007 conference chairman at 433-0504 with e-mail address tplibrary.Richard@gmail.com.