The PLA Blog | Official Blog of the Public Library Association
Who Needs Swag?
Seth Godin wrote recently that “if you’re remarkable, amazing or just plain spectacular, you probably shouldn’t have a resume at all.” The idea being that you market yourself by doing good work, not by writing lists of bulleted declarative phrases, formatting them in professional-looking typefaces, and printing them out on quality paper.
I just walked by [...]
From the Pages of Andy Warhol’s Diary
Okay, here’s why I love ALA. Keep in mind that I’m shy and also still very new to the profession.
While waiting for the shuttle to take me from the airport to my hotel, I met Judy Luther, a former academic librarian in Florida, now working as a library consultant in Philadelphia. It seems that [...]
Got Tweens? Serving Younger Teens and Tweens
Hi, everyone! I’m Anne Heidemann, Children’s, Tween & Teen Services Department Head at the Canton Public Library in Canton, Michigan. I’m a member of YALSA’s Outreach to Young Adults with Special Needs Committee, and an outgoing member of ALSC’s Membership Committee. I’m also a member of PLA and LLAMA. Today I attended a YALSA preconference, [...]
Coming Into Los Angeles
I live maybe ten miles from the Philadelphia airport—I was through security and waiting at my gate this morning less than an hour after leaving my house—and I’ve lived in the Philadelphia area most of my life. Yet from the air, on take offs and landings, it’s almost impossible for me to tell where I [...]
ALA first: libcast podcasting booth
Press credentials in hand, I headed down to the show floor (a.k.a. The Exhibits), which was still under construction, with Kathleen Hughes (Manager of PLA Publications and Editor of Public LIbraries magazine), to drop off booth stuff. John Chrastka was busy setting things up, and showed me the brand-new ALA libcast podcasting booth:
and I got [...]
Eating in Anaheim
Recently, reader Sean Aragon wrote in and asked “Where are some good places to eat around the Conference Center?” If you’re heading to ALA yourself, you might be thinking the same thing.
I’ve never been to Anaheim, so I don’t *personally* know what’s good, but here are a few places you can check out to [...]
The day before: Foresight 2020
How will the business of public libraries shift to meet the needs and preferences of next generation learners? How will libraries support knowledge creation in communities in 2020 and beyond?
That’s what I’m hoping to find out today.
I landed in Anaheim yesterday, and I’m doing a twofer this trip. The day before the beginning of the [...]
*Your* interview with Jamie Lee Curtis
If you could ask Jamie Lee Curtis a question, what would it be and why?
I have been granted the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jamie Lee Curtis after she speaks at the PLA Preisdent’s Program on Monday night, and posting the interview to the blog (in text format). Since the interview is for you, our [...]
Strut your (marketing) stuff at Swap & Shop 2008
Via an email alert from our friends over in the Public Relations and Marketing Section of the Library Administration & Management Association (LAMA):
Libraries of all types and sizes, share your creative, great public relations efforts with your colleagues! Gain international exposure for your library’s marketing and promotional items by sending them to “Swap & [...]
Public Programs Office sessions at ALA 2008
The Public Programs Office is offering 5 sessions by talented and interesting presenters at the upcoming 2008 ALA Annual Meeting, with a focus on arts and humanities programs in libraries (see the PPO Upcoming Events page for session descriptions):
Traveling Exhibits for Libraries: New Opportunities
Speakers: Denise Smith and Frank Summers, Space Science Telescope Institute, Baltimore, MD; [...]
