As I’m packing up my stuff and moving on home, I’m so grateful to ALA for providing me the opportunity to grow and learn. Thanks not only for the memories but for all the exciting things I am going to take back with me. Next up is Boston in JANUARY! I can’t wait to see what I will take away from that adventure in snowy (but hopefully not to snowy) Boston!
Author: Katie Richert
#alaac15 When I Worry for No Reason @ ALA
The Pride Parade really made me a Nervous Nelly today! Okay, we have known it for a while that ALA also coincided with San Francisco’s pride parade. And this made me incredibly nervous. I am a planner and when I can’t plan for things it makes me uneasy. But I was so surprised on how easy it was -at least for me- to get from all my ALA plans and more importantly back to my across market street hotel! Thank you BART stations for easily making me walk UNDER Market Street! All my worry was for nothing! It was less of a big deal and more of an interesting walk through a parade of color and happiness. How often do you get to do that?!
#alaac15 From my one moment of non- chaos on the Exhibit Floor
I am always overloaded on the exhibits’ floor. Look! Over here is Books. And over there is a cool new product that could perhaps change my life! There are authors and galleys and exciting deals-oh my! I have a limited about of room in the extra suitcase I brought empty( yes I did that). But it so wonderful to see and actually read what is coming next. There are so many passionate people here- librarians, vendors and publishers alike. I love the excitement of finding something great that really is special. I hope to find many of those today and tomorrow!
#alaac15 My Committee Time
Committed to Committee Work When you go to Annual while on a committee, that is your priority. This year as I sit in super secret meetings I can help but think about the time and effort that goes into ALA Annual! There are tons of committee meetings in tons of spaces all over the Moscone area. The planning must be intense. As I sit here on break from my first committee meeting, I think of everything else happening at ALA right now. There are other committee meetings. People are swarming the exhibits. Librarians are conducting programs and board meetings. It is such a well- oiled machine that is moving 20,000+ librarians around the very busy city of San Francisco this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing more of the conference after my meeting, but it is so nice to be in an environment that is planned out and full…
#alaac15 Reflecting on ALA Annuals of the Past
As I prepared for ALA Annual this year, I reflected on my three former Annuals that I was able to attend. My first conference ever I was still in library school and had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully, it was in my home town, so I drove downtown spent 4 hours being overloaded with vendors in the exhibit hall and then I went home to take a long nap. The next time I was on a committee. Navigating the shuttles from hotel to hotels took more time than I thought. Meetings were long and prepared us for the Midwinter . I was better prepared, and wasn’t as overwhelmed as the young library student a few years previously. Last year, I was at Annual. It was in Vegas. It was 105 and chaotic. But I had a plan. I discovered the scheduler online and the program book. I made…