My goal in this series of “Attendee Highlights” is to interview random ALSC Institute attendees and get their take on conference tips and tricks, including their takeaway from the day. But also, I’m hoping to share other little tid-bits of random questions. My hope is to highlight random members who are attending the conference and get their feedback.
Our first interview is with forward thinking and fashion forward librarian, Shani B. Shani is no stranger to ALSC and library land. Here’s her take on 10 rapid fire questions.
- First Name: Shani
- Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
- Professional Role: Supervising Librarian
- Location: San Rafael Public Library in San Rafael, California
- Newbie or returning ALSC Conference attendee: Returning attendee
- How did you pick the outfit you’re wearing today: When I decided on my outfits for the conference this year, I didn’t want to wear any bookish t-shirts because I did that last time. So, I picked concert t-shirts. That is why I’m wearing my Missy Elliot concert t-shirt today and I have my Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert t-shirt for Saturday. And tomorrow is kind of a loophole with a cute outfit.
- Tips and tricks as a conference attendee:
- Drink water.
- Don’t carry more books than you can take back home. Don’t take them. That’s extra weight. You don’t need them.
- Takeaway from today: I went to the training, Navigating the Library with Generative AI. The instructor said, “AI is the starting point, and the library is the destination.” She was talking about how we can’t tell people not to use Generative AI, if they are already using it. Specifically, we discussed doing reader’s advisory using AI, how to fact check, to bring the conversation back to library resources and how we can further help with reference work and book recommendations. For me, that should be the library’s motto: The library is the original data center. We are the destination. So, embrace it. Let that be our tag line.
- Favorite book, recently read: Dead Beat by Leigh Bardugo. It was so good! It was the third book in the series. The trilogy itself was a great ending. Bardugo’s book is adult fantasy fiction, dark academia.
- Favorite snack to read with books: I don’t. I was not great with library books as a kid. I was never allowed to have food because my mom didn’t want smudges on the pages. Fines existed back then. So, I don’t. If I’m snacking after having read, it’s usually the dark chocolate, jalapeno, pistachio bricks from Trader Joe’s. They are so good. But the jalapeno is spicy, so you’ll bite into it and the spice will get you. It’s mixed with chocolate, so it’s so good.
(Feature image at top of page is courtesy of guest blogger, Jen Woo)
Today’s Conference Blogger is Jen Woo (she/her/hers). Jen is the Family Engagement Coordinator at San Francisco Public Library (the unceded Ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples). With ten years of youth services librarianship, she is most looking forward to the Bill Morris Seminar, meeting folks, sharing ideas and later – making ideas happen at the Library. As a child, she wanted to be a veterinarian and a fire fighter. Alas, she is neither but does own a cat named Bird and is an avid birdwatcher. You can find her drinking coffee, tea and trying to stay warm and cozy at the Institute.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!