PLA Blog

This is my first: blog, PLA Conference, time in Minnesota…

First I would like to thank all those kind people who keep making me feel so welcome! I am new to Meridian Idaho having joined their team as Youth Services Coordinator on the 4th of February. I feel privileged to be here at PLA.

We, four of us are here, flew in on Tuesday and joined some others I’ve heard of who were wandering the streets with their luggage after climbing off the Light Rail. Thanks be we at least had the sense to wear coats but I for one have been delighted with todays lovely weather. I took pictures so it can go ahead and do its worst tomorrow. To start at the end of the day I held my breath and took the elevator to the 50th floor to attend the Ingram reception and catch the view from way up there! I even got my picture taken with two of the authors who spoke eloquently and then gave us signed copies of their books - yep more goodies to cart home! Where is the nearest post office?

Ingram’s was my second meet-and-greet supper snacking session as I also went to First timers reception and snapped a picture of our president. Someone is going to have to explain to me how to upload my pictures. (A picture is worh a thousand words so I wouldn’t have to write so much!) I can’t find any directions, I brought the wires for the camera but hey I’m new to this eh! (Had to get that is somewhere so you know I really am Canadian - eh!) I did a fast tour of the exibitors but honest I only ate a little and drank a bottle of water - very much appreciated. I thought John Wood was incredible and am sorry for anyone who missed him - he said he lost a girlfriend and our president said he might be able to rectify that problem here? I found it humbling to realize what one person can do. How many of you decided they would contact him and send money for more books for kids? Or did you want to take a sabatical and go and help others learn to be librarians and change the world for kids!

We came early to attend the preconferences. I went to “Who said, “Management Can’t be Fun?” Pam and Gail were inspirational and amusing with an example of management being a circus with a tent held up by the poles of communication, accountability, staff development, empowerment and influence. They also warned us that we would always face a few of the worlds clowns! The good news was that if we followed their advice we too could have a positive impact - but it doesn’t always work as one skit drove home rather graphically. Lunch was hosted by EBSCO - it was awesome and the information given was terrific - NoveList Plus has readers advisory for non-fiction as well as fiction!
EBSCO databases are getting a whole new look so check them out at the exhibits if you missed their presentation.

If your day was as busy as mine you’ll know why I am signing off to prepare for tomorrow.

My observations thus far:

• It’s kind of hard to get a cup of coffee!
  • There’s an espresso cart that closes at 10:30am (what is up with that?)
  • Espresso stands w/o soy milk
  • Only found one Starbucks in what must have been miles of walking on the
• Skyways — wow can you ever get turned around and lost on the skyways
• Different skyways have different “personalities”
  • shopping — Banana Republic, GAP, Starbucks!!!, Godiva, Saks 5th Avenue, Macy’s etc
  • fast food — Subway, Dairy Queen, a Thai Place, Taco Time etc
  • ??? (I haven’t explored them all yet)
• Street people who speak French
• Snow in the weather forecast isn’t a national emergency
• It’s not warm in Minneapolis, but
• People in Minneapolis are Really Nice (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2005/0213/cover.html)