ALA President Jim Neal starts off the #ala annual 2018 conference! Musician and author Trombone Shorty roused the crowd and told us to “eat a lot of food.” He will see us parading in the streets. 2018 is tricentennial of New Orleans…300 years! Mayor Latoya Cantrell, New Orleans’ first female mayor also greeted the crowds. After Katrina, looked to the library…knew libraries not just about books but about community. Libraries share information and give information. First national convention in New Orleans after Katrina was ALA! Mayor thanks librarians….”we are in this together!”