PLA President’s Program
June 28th, 2005 by michelleWow - after laughing hysterically with David Sedaris and an enormous crowd yesterday, it’s a bit of a wake-up call to be back at work, sorting through e- and print mail. Sedaris read a couple of his works (including a new one regarding a salon visit between a baboon and a cat; he’s writing fables that probably will not end up in your children’s section) and then told us briefly about his experiences with libraries.
A unique experience during his childhood at the Raleigh Public Library led him to believe that he wasn’t alone in his homosexuality. It wasn’t the books that taught him, but well, a certain visual one night. He commented that life has taken him around to New York, Paris and London. Each city offered up their own versions of public libraries for him, although he seemed to have great affection for Raleigh PL and the orange-covered biographies that he spent hours with as a child.
Sedaris also said that he champions a book (usually relatively unknown) on each book tour. Find his recommendations on his site, under Recommended Reading List. He’s right on with Sarah Vowell’s Take the Cannoli, a hilarious look at a family that is almost as twisted as the Sedaris clan.
I had to leave five minutes early to catch the train, but heard the rest of the comments over the loudspeaker outside of the Grand Ballroom. You know it’s pretty funny when you’re laughing so hard while walking away that the carpet nearly trips you up.
Tags: ALA2005, conferences, PLA
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