A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved at the Helnan Palestine Hotel for workshop participants. In order to guarantee your reservation at the special rate of $85 per night for a single occupancy room or $95 for a double, non-Egyptian participants must send arrival and departure dates to Carolyn Loether, Assistant to Dean Ron Larsen at The University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences at cloether@mail.sis.pitt.edu BY DECEMBER 22. Each participant will pay his or her own hotel bill upon check-in.

The University of Pittsburgh administrative offices will be closed for the holidays from December 23 to January 3, so all requested information must be provided to Carolyn BY DECEMBER 22.

Carolyn will also handle travel reimbursement for participants whose travel will be reimbursed through grant funds. Note that the information on travel reimbursements applies ONLY to those participants whom IMLS has approved IN ADVANCE to receive reimbursement. Carolyn has a list of the travelers who have been approved for reimbursement. If you have any questions about your reimbursement status, please contact Joyce Ray at jray@imls.gov before making travel arrangements. If your travel will be reimbursed, please read the following travel policy and instructions regarding reimbursement before making your travel arrangements:

Travelers should plan to arrive in Egypt by Saturday, January 14, in order to get the best air fare. Air fare will be reimbursed at the lowest economy rate, which includes a Saturday overnight stay. The workshop will end at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17. You may fly directly into and out of Alexandria. Alternatively, you may fly into or out of Cairo if doing so will result in lower travel costs overall (e.g., reducing the number of nights' lodging and expenses). Travelers must book their flights through an American-flag carrier.

The weather in Alexandria in early January is moderate, with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and lows in the 40's at night. Moderately warm clothing, including a rain coat and umbrella, is recommended. Occasionally heavy rain may be expected.