ALA is officially underway. Washington was busy yesterday with those that came for pre-conference sessions and everyone just getting to town. The lines were long at the Convention Center for those picking up their ALA promotional bag and other materials, but the lines seemed to be moving quickly. Today the sidewalks are crowded with librarians finding their way around the Convention Center and between the hotels. I lucked out when a vendor was giving away ice cream on a corner outside the Convention Center at lunch time. An unexpected pleasure!!
In general, the Convention Center seems to be well organized for the event. Computers and projectors are working. Bathrooms are clean and accessible. Rooms have comfortable seating and the air conditioning is working.
I’m attending my second ALA so I learned a few things last time that I’ve incorporated in my strategies this year. I can leave a session early, and have. Not that the sessions were bad, but I hoped to pick up handouts at another session for future use. The strategy worked quite well this morning. When I stepped into a session that was half over I was immediately interested with the discussion and the speaker. Forty five minutes later I had learned a lot and was quite glad I had split my time between both sessions.
I have also learned that I don’t have to carry everything with me – because it WILL get too heavy by the end of the day. I’ve torn pages out of the program book that I need for today. I’ll tear more out for tomorrow. Simplify!! Simplify!!
I’m writing this (though I can’t post it) as I wait for my next session to start. l expect to attend the opening session with Toni Morrison. I hope to post some details from the sessions I’ve attended later this evening.