ALA Reflections

Now that I've been home a week, I have had some time to reflect on our experiences at ALA in Washington, D.C. There was so much to do and so many people to meet and listen to. The number of activities and events was simply overwhelming, especially for folks who have not attended an ALA conference before. I have gone to a number of AASL conferences and have loved going to them and meeting other librarians and library media specialists. This ALA, however, was much larger, with close to 30,000 people in attendance. Going to a conference, either ALA or AASL, is probably one of the most useful and fun professional development opportunities that will ever come along. All librarians and library media specialists should try to attend at least once or twice during her/his career. You will not regret investing the time, nor the money. Consider it an investment in your professional future and a gift to yourself that will keep on giving to your colleagues and your students when you return.

Many things made a huge impression on me. Some of those I am listing below (unfortunately, I can't list everything) :

Ken Burns and his presentation on the importance and power of history and a preview of his new documentary about World War II, entitled War. The documentary deals with the war as seen through the eyes and remembrances of regular Americans and brought tears to my eyes. I am eagerly looking forward to its debut on PBS in September, 2007.

Judy Blume's presentation when she spoke of how and why she became a writer and how she has become reinvigorated and eager to continue writing.

Meeting and chatting with author Walter Dean Myers during a Holiday House reception.

Meeting, talking, and having our picture taken with Nancy Pearl during a Publishers West Group reception. I have had her librarian action figure on my desk for several years.

Attendance at the two AASL Affiliates--this provided me with opportunities to see how AASL actually operates. I met many terrific and hardworking library media specialists from throughout the United States, and I look forward to meeting with them again at AASL in Reno.

The Library of Congress Reception where we were greeted by Librarian of Congress Billington and were allowed to wander into special exhibits and some parts of the building. The building itself is certainly noteworthy and beautiful. The exhibits served their purpose in whetting my appetite for viewing more of the extensive collection that the LOC contains. I still marvel that my fellow librarians and I were chatting, eating, and drinking while studying the Gutenberg Bible that was in a nearby case. I still shake my head when I think about it.

Seeing and listening to Julie Andrews and then nearly bumping into her in the hallway after her presentation.

Library Day on Capitol Hill when it was annnounced that the SKILLS Act had been filed in both the House and the Senate. This bill has the potential to enormously impact every media center in the nation, and the ramifications to student opportunities and achievement are mindboggling. Please write to your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support the SKILLS Act.

My reflections are complete, although, unfortunately, I don't have room to include all of them. I want to thank the four other members of MSLA who also went to ALA and helped me to have fabulous personal and professional experiences. I hope that all of you will attend a national conference. Consider it an investment in your professional future.