Welcome to Chicago!

I’m Rick Roche, a reference librarian from the Thomas Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs, Illinois, one of Chicago’s western suburbs. I will be one of your reporters for PLABlog over this long weekend. The next few days should prove interesting as thousands of librarians descend on the city and others follow the conference programs from their homes via the Internet. I will be concentrating on reference, readers’ advisory, and technology issues in the programs that I attend. I will also try to hear several of the noted speakers.

I start in just a few hours with the Unconference. Everyone attending the Unconference submitted topics for the consideration of the group, specifying whether they would like to speak before the entire group or facilitate a discussion of a subgroup. Everyone voted and the agenda was set. My topic Nonfiction Readers’ Advisory in an Online World was one of the discussion alternatives chosen. I will try to report on the full-day Unconference tonight. Maybe early tomorrow. Stay tuned to this channel.

If you are new to Chicago and have free time today, you might visit the Field Museum, which currently has a great pirate exhibit. I was fascinated by the irregular shapes and sizes of the silver coins in the pirate treasure. The exhibit of photographs from the Civil Rights Movement is also excellent. Another great museum is the Art Institute of Chicago, which just open a new wing for modern art. A side benefit of the new space for modern and contemporary art is that there are more pieces from all eras of art now on display in the older part of the building. Everyone wins at the Art Institute. At 6:30 p.m. there is a free Gilbert & Sullivan concert in Millenium Park. I hope the rain holds off.

Enjoy your day. I plan to enjoy mine.