ALA Annual 2019 marked my first return to Washington DC since 2007, when I attended my very first professional library conference there. I was a law librarian then. I am no longer that. Nor am I a rookie librarian anymore. In fact, at this year’s conference, I met up with my new ALCTS mentee. Either... more ›
I was appointed to the ACRL Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee as vice-chair this year and as such, I spent much of my ALA time focused on the work of the committee. Since EDI has been given special focus in ACRL this year, there were many programs on the subject. In addition, ALA had several... more ›
Here are a baker’s dozen of random and relative tibits from a variety of sessions I attended at ALA: ProQuest did a survey and in the results: faculty said they want students to use “a variety of content types including video” video is the largest growing category of content there are a growing number of... more ›
This post is on the late side, but there are good-ish reasons for that. I vacationed! Then I was sick! Yet I am embarrassed about my tardiness. Having a family and a body are insufficient excuses for professional negligence. I lived in New Orleans for seven years prior to joining the team at ZSR, so... more ›
Despite the sweltering summer heat of New Orleans, I had a great time at ALA Annual 2018. In addition to attending conference programs, I enjoyed the wonderful cuisine for which the city is known, reconnected with former colleagues who have moved on to other universities, and attended events that celebrated and honored my former (Wanda... more ›
I have three major takeaways to share from the 2018 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans. I’ll give the headline versions and then add more detail below, if you’re still interested: 1) As far as the Library of Congress is concerned, BIBFRAME is definitely going to replace MARC. Eventually. 2) A lot of libraries are... more ›
Here is a 1.5 page list of random items (in chronological order). I’m happy to talk in more detail with anyone who wants to know more about anything I learned (or pushed)! At the opening and closing sessions, officers of the ALA were introduced, including Wanda Brown as president-elect. Photos are courtesy of UNC-G classmate... more ›
My first visit to Chicago was 40 years ago on an excursion with the University of Michigan-Flint History Club. I was a student in Ann Arbor but my friend talked them into taking me along. My friend and I often found ourselves referring to a tourist map trying to figure out the “L” and getting... more ›
Traveling to Chicago on Friday morning for ALA Annual 2017 began with a flight delay and then a cancellation altogether. Fortunately I, along with Susan Smith, was able to rebook my flight for later that evening, but like Steve, I, too, missed the Technical Services Quarterly editorial board dinner meeting. Attending committee meetings and taking... more ›
My 2017 ALA Annual Conference experience got off to a bit of a bumpy start, because my flight was delayed about two hours and I wound up missing a dinner meeting with the editorial board of Technical Services Quarterly. But overall, it was more productive and enjoyable than my 2017 Midwinter experience, much of which... more ›