While #alaac25 did not officially kick-off until 4:00PM today, my day was jam packed! I started off my experience by helping to set up the Zine Pavillion. I have never been in such a quiet and calm exhibit hall during Annual before. It was so interesting to watch the exhibits spring up around me as I worked to display hundreds of donated zines in the pavilion. From masking guides to gardening handbooks, the zines displayed were diverse in topic, size, shape, author, and more.
After we unpacked all of the zines, I worked to cut and fold a few hundred additional giveaways for people to take as they walked around the hall. I spent this time connecting with other zine makers and advocates, as well as members (and creators!) of the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table. The hours of my shift flew by and before I knew it – the Exhibit Hall opened!
I was so excited to get the lay of the land and find all of the amazing nametag badges. After walking for what felt like at least 2 miles, and obtaining three totes bags full of freebies, I called it a night. I am looking forward to tomorrow and checking out the Books Unbanned Breakfast in the morning!
Anna Melvin (she/they) is a children’s librarian at the Cleveland Park Library in Washington, D.C. She is originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, and is happy to head home for this year’s conference to where her love for libraries began. As an elementary school student, Anna used to come in early to help her school librarian reshelve books and to discuss their most recent reads. This is her third time attending ALA, but her first working at the Zine Pavilion. She is very excited to be able to volunteer this year, and hopes to be able to connect with a larger range of library professionals while working at the Pavilion. Anna is most looking forward to this year’s conference because at the conclusion, she will begin a two-year term serving on the Library Service to Underserved Youth and Their Caregivers Committee. Anna is also eagerly anticipating attending sessions on serving patrons with disabilities, expanding her at-home library with some great reads from this year’s conference, and fan-girling over Geena Davis. Come say hi to Anna at the Zine Pavillion, or at the ALSC Membership Meeting!
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I’ve always been curious about volunteering at the Zine Pavilion—your description really captures the energy and community around it. Looking forward to hearing how the Books Unbanned Breakfast goes!