As a new youth librarian, I was very excited by the opportunity to participate in the ALSC Mentoring Program. This is a free program open to anyone (you don’t have to be an ALSC or ALA member to participate as a mentee). I wrapped up my program by meeting my mentor in person at ALA Annual! As a mentee, I talked with my awesome mentor, Megan Egbert, once a month about our libraries and the various challenges we were facing. We set goals for our program, including: Reviewing what each ALSC committee does and submitting a volunteer application. (This resulted in me getting appointed to the Notable Children’s Recordings committee.) Sharing useful resources in a Google document and discussing our favorites each month. Interviewing a different youth librarian each month. This led to some awesome conversations with Mel Depper, Carissa Christner, Amy Koester, Claudia Haines, and more amazing youth library leaders. It…
Author: Annamarie Carlson
Exhibit Hall #alaac17
As an ALA first timer, the exhibit hall might have been the highlight of my conference experience. I ignored all advice, and I took almost all the ARCs I could get my hands on, resulting in a collection of about 50 books. Some of my favorites include: All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart Swing It Sunny by Jennifer Holm There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins Warcross by Marie Lu I did follow some advice, and I packed an empty duffel inside my suitcase. That helped tremendously with getting everything home. I have some excited coworkers and patrons who will love these books! In addition to ARCs, the exhibit hall contained The Playground @ ALA, an amazing area where attendees could play with some of the latest technology. I experienced virtual reality with a real head set and…
ALSC Notable Children’s Recordings #alaac17
Today I attended my first official Notable Children’s Recordings meeting! This was my first committee experience, and I have been looking forward to meeting my fellow committee members in person for the first time.
Printz Presentation #alaac17
The 2017 Michael L. Printz Awards Presentation and Banquet was a fantastic way to wrap up my first evening at ALA Annual 2017.
#alaac17 Tip #1: Be Flexible
It’s 5:30 am, and I am excited to get on my flight to my first ever ALA Annual. I have my favorite sessions planned, all of my committee discussion materials prepared, and what feels like a million booths that I am ready to visit. I arrive at the airport to find long lines, angry passengers, and one word: CANCELLED.