As others have noted, I love all the varied means for scheduling ourselves to do way-too-many things at conference. Many of us are habitual double-bookers, especially when faced with the array of exciting options that each conference offers.
Based on previous experiences, though, I know that I’ll also face “game day” decisions, last-minute changes, … and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When I think back on previous conferences, some highlights were programs I hadn’t planned on attending. Based on a colleague’s suggestion, I finally made time to watch an incredible documentary RBG (in 2018) at the “Now Showing @ ALA Film Program”. I’ve also stopped in at a room designed for quiet meditation, and felt it was time well spent. Of course, it’s always worthwhile when we get a chance to celebrate and tell authors and illustrators how much their work means to us and readers in our communities.
Marilyn Taniguchi (she/her/hers) was a children’s librarian and library services manager at Beverly Hills Public Library for over 20 years. Since retiring at the end of 2020; she’s worked a stint as a temporary part-time librarian at South Pasadena Public Library. She’s also been an ALSC mentor, and continues to review children’s books for School Library Journal. This will be Marilyn’s first live conference since 2019, and she hope to gain insight into current trends and issues, as well as meet other attendees from a variety of libraries, large and small. She loves to snack on dark chocolate covered California raisins.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.