I’m all packed and ready to catch a plane back home, tired but re-energized & excited to begin to utilize some of the resources and information I’ve learned while at ALA Midwinter in Boston.
Reflecting on the highlights of the conference, I think of:
- The information I learned at the ALSC Collection Management Discussion Group session and the decision to create a Facebook page for the group; this will surely be a good place for ongoing discussions.
- The announcement of Pat Scales as the 2016 recipient of ALSC’s Distinguished Service Award. A former middle school and high school librarian and a passionate advocate for children’s intellectual freedom, it was exciting to see her receive this well-deserved award.
- Sitting in on book discussions
- Visiting the exhibits and talking with vendors
- The number of ARCs in my suitcase which I will bring back to my library to offer to excited young readers and to start work on our 2017 Mock Election programs
- Learning new ideas about creative programming in libraries
- Networking
- Participating in ALSC Board meetings and working to move the division forward
- Meeting authors & illustrators and hearing them speak about their work
- The excitement of being among the hundreds and hundreds of people at the YMA Press Conference as the 2016 Awards were announced.
- Seeing old friends and colleagues; meeting new friends
- Learning more about the importance and usefulness of ALSC’s newly revised Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries.
So much to process!
Thanks, Boston! It’s been a great conference.