What’s the difference between ALA Annual and Midwinter #alamw12?
In general, I think of Annual as being all about celebration and inspiration. There are publisher and vendor parties galore, the Awards Banquet, and plenty of juicy programs and sessions from which to glean ideas to take back home.
Midwinter, on the other hand, is all about business and books. This is when the committees, boards, and councils meet – and of course we’re all walking around in a Book Haze, drunk on the thought of the awards about to be announced and on the prospect of those luscious 2012 titles to be published over the coming year. Oh, the Youth Media Awards! Oh, the publisher previews (with snacks)!
But despite the lack of programs at Midwinter, I’ve found plenty of inspiration this weekend as well. For me, it was the weekend of Every Child Ready to Read 2, and more generally of early literacy principles and practices. The ALSC Preschool Services discussion group just met and shared some amazing things they’re doing in their libraries and communities to promote early literacy – and the great news is that PLA is launching a wiki in March where we can all learn about them and share our own. Stay tuned!
So I may be drunk on books, but I’m also fired up and ready to go back to work and roll up my sleeves. So much to be done…