One of the things that I have learned in my conference journey is there are some things worth waiting for. Trevor Noah opening the ALA Annual Conference is one of them. So, at 2:30 PCT I sat outside of the ballroom to make sure that I was one of the first people inside. I wanted to make sure I had prime seats.
As I sat on the floor people watching (more on that in a future post), Teria Richardson from Akron, Ohio asked if she could charge her phone at the outlet I was sitting beside. I said of course, but only if she would be willing to talk to me. And there started a pleasant conversation between me, an almost veteran conference attendee with a first timer. We share names, and library stories. She asked me strategies and the most important thing I think I shared was to pace yourself. The first time at ALA annual can be overwhelming.
When the line started forming outside the ballroom doors, we picked ourselves up and joined the crowd where we met Amanda Lewis from Tacoma, Washington. The conversation turned to all things books and authors. There were many laughs on that line and two new library friends were made. Teria and Amanda joined me in the third-row stage right as we sat anticipating a conversation with Trevor.
ALA President Emily Drabinski gave a moving address. She told us about her presidential project The National Climate Action Strategy Working Group, a joint project of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative alongside Rebekkah Smith Aldrich. Two amazing New York librarians doing such important work. Emily shared her travels to various places, meeting new people and working diligently for ALA and libraries everywhere.
The President of the California Library Association, Shawn Thrasher came on the stage with a smile and greeting you might expect from a Southern Californian. His energy and enthusiasm was catching.
One blog post isn’t enough for the opening ceremony. You can expect a second post from me soon, but be prepared for me to wax poetic about a certain South African comedian and writer. He truly is just amazing.
All photos courtesy of Conference Blogger.
Conference Blogger Arlene Laverde (she/her/hers) is a very recent (July 1, 2024) NYCPS retiree. She has been the school librarian at Townsend Harris High School in Queens NY for ten years and worked in various high schools and elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens. When in school she never considered librarianship as a career. She started as an elementary school teacher and accidentally fell into the role as a school librarian. She hasn’t looked back since. She is currently serving as co-chair for the AASL 2025 National Conference in St. Louis and will be attending the Morris Seminar in Denver, Colorado this September. She’s looking forward to the Newbery-Caldecott-Legacy Banquet, as well as not only reconnecting with friends from around the country, but meeting new ones throughout the conference. Now that she is a retiree, all things are possible and looks forward to exploring her many interests, as well as the continued fight for library advocacy. Twitter handle: @THHSLibrary
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.