I attended my first ALA Annual Conference in 2008 as a relatively new children’s librarian. It was a great experience but also a little overwhelming. Since then, I’ve only missed one Annual for a family trip to Alaska. Over the years, I have become savvier about creating my schedule for each day. So, whether it is your first ALA or your 10th, these are some staples to consider adding to your schedule.
Attend ALSC organizational meetings. They are an excellent way to meet other ALSC members and for non-members to learn more about the work being done by the association.
- Leadership & ALSC on Saturday morning.
- ALSC Membership Meeting on Monday morning.
- ALSC Board Meetings on Saturday and Tuesday
Celebrate the kidlit award winners on a budget.
- ALSC Awards Presentation on Monday morning, including the new Early Learning Digital Media Award.
- Free to conference attendees.
- Pura Belpré Award Celebración on Sunday afternoon.
- Free to conference attendees.
- Newbery, Caldecott, Legacy Banquet on Sunday night.
- You can buy a ticket, should be done in advance, or you can just come for the speeches at no cost, doors typically open around 8:30pm for those without a ticket.
Visit the exhibits to see upcoming book releases, the newest in library technology, and meet your favorite authors and illustrators.
- Check out the Book Buzz Theater and the Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage for a chance to hear about publisher favorites coming out this fall/winter.
- Plan ahead with the Meet the Author page to see who will be signing when.
Stock up on professional development books, some written by ALSC members! Discover them at the ALA Store and booths like ABC-CLIO.
- Meet Stephanie Saba and Sarah Ostman, Book Club Reboot: 71 Creative Twists, at the ALA Store on Sunday, June 23 from 3:00-4:00pm.
- You can also catch Saba and Ostman at the Book Club Central panel – How to Book Club on Sunday, June 23 from 10:30-11:30am at the Marriott Marquis in the Monument Room.
- Meet author Mary Schreiber, Partnering with Parents: Boosting Literacy for All Ages, at the ABC-CLIO booth 1933 on Saturday, June 22 from 11:00-12:00pm or Sunday, June 23 from 3:30-4:30pm.
Round out your schedule with even more great ALSC events.
What programs or events are a must for your ALA Conference schedule?
This post addresses the following ALSC Core Competency: Vii. Professionalism and Professional Development.
Mary Schreiber, co-chairs the ALSC Public Awareness Committee and she is the Youth Collection Development Specialist at Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH. She can be reached at: mschreiber@cuyahogalibrary.org.
Bio photo – Courtesy of blogger.