As noted by many conference attendees, and my fellow bloggers, being at #alaac24 is exciting and energizing, but the options are overwhelming. I like to block chunks of time to tour the exhibit hall where conference attendees can meet with vendors, take a peek at advance copies (ARCs) of new titles, and meet authors and illustrators. I usually plan these trips to the exhibit hall around one or two authors or illustrators whom I’d like to meet, and I have a backup plan in case the line is too long, so I don’t endlessly stroll the exhibit hall eating free candy.
After a few times attending ALA annual, I’ve learned to be realistic about what I can achieve, so even though I had a long list of people I wanted to meet while in San Diego, and ARCs to pick up and take back to my library, most days I had to make some tough cuts. So, when you can’t meet every author, pick up every ARC, or attend every session, how can you make the most of being at the conference?
Making connections, as I’ve written about in a separate post, is one way to truly make the most of this unique opportunity. I think it’s important to select a few events which you’re really excited about—those sessions, authors, or round tables which you find yourself talking about when you tell coworkers that you’ll be going to Annual—and make time for those. Stick to those, and let your new acquaintances know that you’re going. If you can, book a few ticketed events in advance to free yourself from some decision fatigue during the conference. The Newbery-Caldecott-Legacy Banquet and the CSKBART Book Awards Breakfast were two of the highlights of my time here. (I would have loved to attend the Magical Comics Tea, but I was glad to be able to read about it.)
If you have a list of a few authors to meet each day, two or three sessions each afternoon, and a meeting, breakfast, or dinner to attend (or whatever is realistic for you), remind yourself that you might not be able to do it all. You can’t pack all the books. You can’t meet all the authors. You cannot visit every vendor booth. What you can do is share what you learned, and reflect on what you achieved, the people you met, the books you’re excited to read, and the new ideas you have. I recommend taking time at the end of each day to write down highlights from the sessions you attended, send a photo to your coworkers back home, or make a list of ideas to explore in the coming weeks. If you picked up business cards, send a note to those new connections. Then, make sure to get some rest once you finally manage to put down that ARC you picked up. (In my case, that’s Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds).
Conference Blogger Celeste Rhoads (she/her/hers) is originally from John Steinbeck’s hometown of Salinas, California, where she read on the beach, in trees, on road trips, and everywhere in between. She moved to Paris in 2005, and immediately found a home at the American Library in Paris. As the Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, she oversees the Library’s collections, policies, and programs for ages 0–18. Celeste has a master’s degree in Library Science from Rutgers University, where she focused on digital libraries, and children’s literature. Celeste enjoys connecting people of all ages with great reads—especially contemporary titles.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.