OIF invites you to help launch ALA’s new privacy initiative, Choose Privacy Week, at a fun and exciting event featuring social critic Hal Niedzviecki, author of The Peep Diaries: How We’re Learning to Love Watching Ourselves and Our Neighbors (City Lights Books, 2009).

This event will take place during the ALA 2010 Midwinter Meeting from 4 — 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, in Room 252 A/B of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, and will offer snacks and beverages for attendees. ALA President Camila Alire will be in attendance to welcome Niedzviecki and to introduce ALA’s first-ever Choose Privacy Week.

Niedzviecki’s talk will focus on what he terms the age of “peep culture”: a tell-all, show-all, know-all digital phenomenon that is dramatically altering notions of privacy, individuality, security, and even humanity. Peep culture is rapidly causing some of the core values and rights we once took for granted to be renegotiated, often without our even noticing. Following the program, the author will sign copies of The Peep Diaries, which will be given away for free to the first 100 attendees.

The event will also highlight key resources to aid libraries participating in the first-ever Choose Privacy Week, which will take place May 2-8, 2010. This civic engagement campaign invites library users into a national conversation about privacy rights in a digital age. Those attending the Saturday event at Midwinter will learn about new tools for libraries that will help to educate and engage their users, and encourage citizens to think critically and make more informed choices about their privacy. An exclusive discount and limited giveaway items will be provided at the event. Don’t miss it!

Those unable to attend can follow the event at http://twitter.com/privacyala. For more information on this event or on ALA’s privacy initiative, visit www.privacyrevolution.org or contact Angela Maycock, Assistant Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom, at amaycock@ala.org or (312) 280-4221.