ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

Noted author Cornel West to keynote Nashville conference

Cornel West noted author, philosopher, and professor of reli- gion and Afro- American studies at Harvard University, will keynote ACRL’s 8th National Conference in Nashville, “Choos- ing Our Futures,” April 11–14, 1997. West will speak on race matters immediately following the opening Exhib- its Reception on Friday, April 11, at 7:00 p.m.

For West, philosophy isn’t an abstract discipline, it’s a “polemical weapon that attempts to transform linguistic, social, cultural, and political tradition to increase the scope of indi- vidual development and democratic actions.” His work—influenced by tradi- tions as diverse as the Baptist Church, American transcendentalism and literaαire, the Black Panthers, and European philosophy—seeks to revive the best of lib- eralism, populism, and democratic socialism.

In his address. West will confront the “monumental eclipse of hope, the unprec- edented collapse of meaning, and the incred- ible disregard for human (especially black) life.” For West, the L.A. riots were not a solely economic or moral problem. “They are the consequence of a lethal linkage of economic decline, cultural decay, and political lethargy in American life.”

Cornel West

West is the author of nine books includ- ing the two-volume Beyond Eurocentrism and Multiculturalism, Breaking Bread, and the 1993 New York Times bestseller, Race Matters.

ACRL expects 2,500 aca- demic librarians to attend the three-day conference which will feature more than 200 exhibits and 135 program sessions. Full- and half-day preconferences on topics such as fundraising, digitizing collections, and li- brary buildings for the future will be offered on April 11, 1997. Regis- tration materials will be mailed to all ACRL members this fall. To request registration ma- terials e-mail Darlena Davis at ddavis@ala.org or phone (800) 545-2433 ext. 2519. ■