Yesterday was an exciting day. As an American Library Association (ALA) Emerging Leader, I presented my poster at the ALA Annual Conference. Reflecting on this journey, I feel grateful and excited about the future.
My journey to becoming an ALA Emerging Leader has been one of growth and learning. When I first heard about the program, I was drawn to its mission of fostering leadership skills among new library professionals. Although the application process was rigorous, it reinforced my commitment to making a positive impact in the library community.
The highlight of my journey so far was yesterday’s poster session! Preparing for this moment took months of research, collaboration, and revisions. As I stood next to my poster, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Engaging with fellow librarians, sharing my findings, and receiving feedback was incredibly rewarding. The questions from attendees sparked new ideas and perspectives. I was inspired by the diverse projects presented by my peers, each reflecting a unique approach to library challenges.
If you’re passionate about the future of libraries and eager to take on new challenges, I encourage you to apply to the ALA Emerging Leaders program. It’s an experience that will shape your career, broaden your horizons, and connect you with inspiring professionals.
Yesterday’s poster session was a milestone in my journey of learning and growth. I look forward to the future and hope to see many of you join the ranks of Emerging Leaders. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the library world!
I’m attaching a video, and hopefully you can have a better idea about what was happening in the Posters Session today.
Conference contributor Elizabeth Hurtado (she/her/hers) is a Children’s librarian at Springdale Public Library. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Elizabeth has lived in the United States for the past seven years. Coming from journalism, her journey in library services began around five years ago when she started working at SPL, and from day one, she fell in love with this career! Elizabeth has dedicated herself to fostering a passion for reading and learning among children in her community. She enjoys writing articles, too, so the opportunity to blog for ALSC during the National Conference will bring her two big passions together! Coming from an island, Elizabeth’s favorite place to be is the beach!! She’s excited to visit one in San Diego this summer because there is no seaside in Arkansas, where she lives. Elizabeth is also happy about her group project presentation as an Emerging Leaders 2024. This is an outstanding achievement on the librarianship path!
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.