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Could there possibly be another profession whose members throw themselves into their jobs with as much zest and joy as librarians do? Every ALA conference I attend convinces me that we are truly blessed among all professionals.
My first ALA was in San Francisco in 1987 — I was a new college graduate and had been accepted to what was then known as UCLA’s Graduate School of Library and Information Science. My mom is a librarian and I literally grew up in libraries (was even brought to a few library school classes at Berkeley as an infant), but I had never encountered librarians en masse.
The tote bags! The swag! The sensible shoes! The sheer enthusiasm of everyone I talked to! I was hooked.
Countless ALAs later, I’m still hooked on the excitement of our annual conference. Even after more than 20 years, there’s always something to learn and plenty of inspiration to be gleaned. But I have learned that it’s not all about taking scads of earnest notes. Nope, the bits of madcap craziness are just as important, not to mention the opportunity to play tourist in the host city.
Here are the highlights of this year’s ALA, from the sublime to the ridiculous:
Bugs and Bones! Before stepping foot in the Washington Convention Center, I spent Friday morning in the National Museum of Natural History, holding a Madagascar hissing cockroach in one hand (it didn’t hiss or even scuttle) and an elegant and serene giant grasshopper in the other. Next came an exhibit called Written in Bone, about what forensic science tells us about the brutal life of colonists in Virginia and Maryland. Fascinating! The dental issues alone are shudder-inducing.
Teens and 2.0! As a brand-new YALSA member, I relished the opportunity to spend 4 hours with Dr. Eliza Dresang, John Green and David Leviathan, Dr. Kristin Purcell of the Pew Internet and American Life Project, and a whole host of awe-inspiring YA authors and librarians. It was a just-right mixture of theory, research, and practice, and I’m more of a convert to 2.0 in libraries than ever.
Ice-cream! Not that I’ve ever needed an excuse to eat ice-cream but the combination of hot weather and traveling seems to make it not just a privilege but a right. And how delightful – both Georgetown and Dupont Circle supplied me with home-made ice-cream shops. Bliss…
ECRR update! Well, not exactly. The New and Improved Every Child Ready to Read product won’t be officially unveiled until the ALSC Institute this September, and the presenters were a might cagey about giving any secrets away. However, it sounds like it’s going to be great! For all those for whom “phonological awareness” does not roll easily off the tongue, rejoice. There will be much less jargon and much more emphasis on these 5 strategies for parents of young children – reading, talking, singing, playing, and writing. And that’s not all! All those elements we’ve wished for – more interactivity in the workshops, talking points rather than scripts, an emphasis on the physical environment in the library and in the home, sensitivity to the diversity of our patrons, and
more – will be included. I can’t wait!
Best view in DC! And no waiting, no crowds, no fee. Where? The Old Post Office Tower. Plus there’s a food court.
0 Comments on Mixing business and pleasure as of 1/1/1900
Risky Business
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The mission of the Young Adult Library Services Association is to advocate, promote and strengthen service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to this population.
Mission Moment
How Recent YALSA Activities Support the Association’s Mission and Strategic Plan
At their Annual Conference meetings the YALSA Board discussed recommendations, made by an ad hoc committee of the Board, related to the use of William C. Morris Endowment funds. Following their discussions, the Board voted that over the next three years the Association would use the funds to support Teen Read Week in three areas that connect to the YALSA strategic plan. These three areas are: research, marketing, and member recruitment and engagement. By supporting these areas with Morris funds, not only does YALSA support its mission and strategic plan, the Association also helps librarians to participate actively and successfully in Teen Read Week. The document discussed by the Board which led to their vote is available on the YALSA website.
Accomplishments
Much of the work in June centered on getting ready for Annual Conference in D.C. and then participating in the Conference.
- Agendas and supporting documents for the Annual Conference Board and Executive Committee meetings were finalized. This process included gaining feedback from Board and Executive Committee members prior to completing the agendas. Agendas and supporting documents for all YALSA Governance meetings held during Annual are available on the YALSA website in the Governance section.
- A Board planning conference call was held in mid-June to provide Board members with the opportunity to plan for their work at Annual Conference. The call covered the programs and events which Board members needed to attend during Conference and a conversation about working as a Board Liaison during Conference.
- Last year YALSA began to consider ways in which to help prepare new Board members for their Board role. One activity that was started in 2009 and continued in 2010 was a Board training lunch held during Annual Conference. In June I worked with YALSA’s Executive Director, Beth Yoke, and Kim Patton (the President Elect at that time) to develop an agenda for the training meeting/lunch. The lunch was held with all incoming Board members on the Tuesday of Annual Conference and included discussion of Board member roles and responsibilities, duties of Board members when not at Midwinter Meeting and Conference, and the Board Liaison and committee chair relationship.
- YALSA Board members discussed and acted on several items of import to Association members during Annual Conference. These include:
- Deciding to continue to fund stipends for librarians to attend library advocacy/legislative days at the national level. In 2010 YALSA provided funding for five teen librarians to attend Library Advocacy Day. The YALSA Board determined that this is an important activity for the Association to support as it provides teen librarians with opportunities to not only advocate at a national level, but the selec
Everybody has a different conference experience. Some folks run around from event to event and class to class, while others peruse the exhibit floor to learn about new releases, meet authors, and get up to date on the latest technology. Some folks are die-hard book cart drill team fans, and others are inspired by the words of the leaders in our field. But one thing united all of these choices of activities: you could find someone else from ALSC wherever you went!
My own Annual started this year with a quick train ride from NYC, and I soon arrived at the ALSC Happy Hour that was held at Gordon Biersch, right down the street from the Convention Center. While I wish I could have attended the pre-conference “Drawn to Delight”, enough ALSC-ers at the happy hour had attended and were more than happy to fill me in on the day’s events. One of the reasons I like attending the social events that ALSC offers, is because it allows me to chat and network with people who I might not otherwise meet. Members of the ALSC Board were there as well, and were more than happy to answer any questions about the organization, which is always a helpful thing!
The next day I hit the exhibit floor, and then attended the President’s Program offered by our sister organization AASL on Leading the Transformation of Education for the 21st Century. Allison Zmuda led us in an interactive examination of our own work, the new AASL standards, and the mission statements of our schools. I always find sessions like this inspiring, not only because I walk away with some tools to bring back with me, but because I recognized some best practices that are already happening in my library!
Of course I had my own committee work to attend to as well. On Sunday morning I met up with the rest of the Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee to fine tune our work for the coming year and to welcome our new chair.
I do have to say that the absolute highlight of my conference was attending the Newbery Caldecott Awards Banquet on Sunday night. This was the first time I attended, and what an adventure it was! A room filled with people who are in love with children’s books as much as we are! A mix of publishers, authors and library types were in the room, and the overwhelming feeling of the place was one of celebration and joy. The speeches of Jerry Pinkney and Rebecca Stead (not to mention those of Thom Barthelmess, Rita Auerbach, and Katie O’Dell) were both touching and inspiring.
These are some of my highlights of the 2010 ALA Annual Conference. What are some of yours?
I’m back home after a whirlwind of a long weekend in D.C. and it’s strange indeed to be wearing a sweater against the cool and overcast weather here in Venice, CA after that astonishing and record-breaking D.C. heat.
Here’s a report on the first ALSC program I attended this weekend. Please find handouts and more information under the program name on this page.
Taking Libraries into the Community: Beyond Brick Borders:
Presented by Shawn Brommers of South Central Library System in Madison, Wisconsin; Mary Fellows of the Upper Hudson Library System, and Evelyn Walkowicz of the Henderson District Public Libraries in Las Vegas, NV.
Ms. Brommers discusses a variety of community programming, including:
- Motheread/Fatheread – literacy program using children’s books to teach adult (parent) literacy; for example, working with incarcerated dads.
- Reach Out and Read – bringing books and early literacy info, through pediatricians and clinics, to new parents
- Think Outside the Book – book discussion and civil participation
- Book vs. the Movie – teens read a book, then as a group, watch the movie and discuss the differences
- Reel to Real – librarians trained to facilitate discussions and go out to senior citizen centers to watch certain public television shows and then discuss them. The public television station provides guides, etc.
Ms. Fellows told us about the “Community Relations Challenge” she issued to the library systems under her jurisdiction, during which they were required to fulfill such tasks as:
- Contact two community organizations and explore informal partnership possibilities
- Get one organization to advertise the Summer Reading Club on its website, and vice versa
- Get five prizes from local businesses (give businesses feedback – photos, etc – to show how their gift was received; ask for specific things; develop script detailing what the SRC is and what this will do for business, ie how many kids will be reached, etc)
- Encourage social media – Facebook page, blog, etc
The result was that these library systems made strong and hopefully lasting ties with organizations and businesses in their communities, gaining both added donations and added visibility.
And Ms Walkowicz told us of HDPL’s efforts to revamp its early literacy services, beginning by asking the crucial questions:
- What do we do? Why do we do it? Who are we doing it for? Are we doing it well? Could we do anything better?
- Henderson determined that while their storytimes were successful, they could do better at modeling and promoting early literacy techniques; storytimes needed to be evaluated more rigorously; and the library needed to reach out more to the underserved.
- As a result of this close self-evaluation, “Bright Beginnings” became a focused and highly effective early literacy program that reaches out to more families than ever before.
The programs were all inspiring and seemed in most cases to be the sort that could be replicated, to a greater or lesser extent, in most libraries.
What did I take away? It’s crucial to take a good, close look at one’s mission statement, goals, and objectives before one embarks on a new program, large or small. And don’t forget to assess those programs and services you already provide – there’s got to be a better reason for their existence than “we’ve always done it that way” or “the patrons like it”! Finally, always include plans for both partnering with o
Even if you aren’t going to be in D.C. for Annual Conference you can participate in some of YALSA’s Conference activities. Here’s How:
- Twitter will be a way in which many YALSA members and those attending teen related programs will keep others posted about Conference events and programs. Follow attendee Tweets by keeping track of the hashtags #ala10 and #yalsa during Conference.
- Over the past year YALSA added liveblogging to the Association’s virtual conference opportunities. This Annual there will once again be liveblogging of a variety of programs and events. Watch this blog for more information in order to get involved in these Conference events in real-time.
- We will continue to publish blog posts during Conference. While these posts won’t give you the chance to participate in Conference programs and events in real-time, they will give you the opportunity to keep up with what happens at Conference. Along with blog posts about teen-related Conference programs and events, I’ll update readers, via the blog, on the work of the YALSA Board at Conference.
- This year’s President’s Program is going virtual. The President’s Program Planning Committee has put together a set of panelist videos that are sure to inspire librarians serving teens. You’ll be able to access the President’s Program content starting later this week.
I know that for a variety of reasons it’s not always possible to attend Annual Conference. YALSA wants to provide as many opportunities as possible to those who won’t be in D.C. so they can still benefit from the programs and events that take place there.
For our final blog post, the Washington D.C. Local Arrangements Committee decided to do a round-up of all the information we have shared concerning Washington D.C. We hope you have found our info valuable and that you have a great time at Annual!
At the YALSA Wiki:
Here at the YALSA blog:
Post a comment if you have any last minute questions or concerns!
As YALSA member Beth Gallaway mentioned in her comment on my post about getting involved in YALSA at Annual, just before Midwinter 2010 I wrote a YALSA Blog post highlighting the fact that YALSA is made up of a welcoming and friendly group of people.
As Annual is just a week away, really it’s just a week away, I wanted to once again point out the welcoming and friendly nature of YALSA members and member leaders. As I mentioned in that previous blog post, sometimes YALSA members can seem like a very cliquey group. But, that cliquey look is really because many of us have had the opportunity to get to know each other over several years and are excited to be finally talking once more face-to-face. If you think about it, the way we ended up looking like a clique was that sometime in the past each one of us walked up to another one of us and started a conversation. It can be scary and intimidating to do that, but it’s well worth it. If you are willing to take the plunge and walk up to a group of people excitedly talking during a YALSA event, you’ll find that what looks like a clique is a friendly group of people who are more than willing to bring you into the conversation.
But, it’s certainly not just the new person’s responsibility to do the hard thing and walk up to a new group of people, or even one individual, and say “hello.” YALSA members who are already active and already friendly with lots of other Association members, I’d like to ask you to look out for new people who will be attending Conference (and YALSA events) for the first time ever. Bring them into a conversation you might be having. Walk up to someone standing on their own and start a conversation. Remember what it might have been like for you as you got involved in the Association. Show those attending YALSA programs and events just how friendly and welcoming we are.
As YALSA has been doing for the past several years, Board members and staff will be ready to greet you at the Leadership Development and All Committee meetings. These meetings can be a little hard to walk into for the first time as they usually take place in large rooms and there are lots of people milling about. If you are new to these meetings, look for a YALSA Board or staff member at the door – we’ll be wearing ribbons that will let you know who we are – and we can help you to get started.
And speaking of ribbons, don’t forget to wear your badge at all events. As I mentioned in that Midwinter post I was probably one of the worst when it came to wearing my Conference badge when at events. But, I realized that without the badge I was making it more difficult for others to connect with me. By wearing the badge it’s easier for someone to walk up and start a conversation. Your name and where you work are easily visible. I can walk up to someone I’ve never met and say, “Hi Craig, we’ve never met but I’m Linda Braun. You work at (insert institution name here) I’ve heard great things about the library, what do you do there?” Just from your badge I am able to engage in conversation.
I’ve included my picture in t
I cannot believe that Annual starts next week! If you are like me and my colleagues, you have begun thinking about what to pack and what to do. If you are new to Annual, the Local Arrangements Committee thought we’d share some last minute tips to help you:
- D.C. summer weather is usually hot and humid. We have already had many days in the 90s with high humidity, so pack with this in mind.
- On the flip side, sometimes the conference rooms are chilly due to the A/C so you might want to carry a light sweater or something that can help keep you warm.
- The following is said so much it has become a joke, but wear comfy shoes. You will walk a lot.
- Try to review the program on-line ahead of time so you don’t feel overwhelmed when handed that big book at registration. The program track information found on page 64 can be helpful in narrowing your focus.
- When you figure out a schedule for yourself, be sure to include time to get from place to place.
- If there is more than one program you want to attend that is happening at the same time, make note of it in case you find yourself closer to one option than the other. Also, don’t be afraid to leave early or arrive late. Attendees come and go all the time.
- Be flexible with said schedule to allow for serendipity and rest.
- Pack snacks so you don’t have to always buy expensive convention center food.
- Bring business cards – you can always make them or order free cards from a site like Vista Print – these can come in handy when meeting new people, networking, or providing info in the exhibit hall for drawings.
- If you are attending with people you know, collaborate on your schedules and split up if there is more than one interesting program – share notes later!
- The exhibits can be huge and overwhelming – you don’t have to do them all in one day.
- While in the exhibits, don’t pick up too much – ask vendors to email or mail things to you if possible. Your back will thank you later.
- The exhibit hall has a shipping center so you can ship things home.
- Cognotes, the daily conference paper, is great for last minutes changes and to give you an idea of what has been happening. ALA also publishes advance editions, which can be found on ALA.org.
- Don’t wear your badge in the street – it can mark you as a tourist and leave you vulnerable.
- Make wise choices about what you carry every day – you will pick up a lot and your bag(s) will get heavier and heavier. Try not to carry the whole program book – just rip out pages you need for that day.
- Use the free shuttles when you can to save yourself energy and give yourself the chance for random conversations on the bus. You never know who you will sit next to!
- That said, if you need to get somewhere ASAP, walk, cab, or use public transportation if it’ll get you there faster than the shuttle.
- If you can, attend a program that is out of your own “library world.” Getting to listen in on other types of library talk can expand your world, and maybe you can contribute something that will expend theirs.
- ALA has an open meeting policy for almost eve
We’re in the home stretch — less than a week and a half before thousands of librarians and library staff from all over descend on Our Nation’s Capital. And just in time in time for everyone’s arrival, Washington’s Metro transit system will be implementing round one of its FY ‘11 fare hikes. Not unlike many libraries around the country, Metro has been struggling to keep its budget balanced amidst declining revenue. Thus, to keep a long story short, fares on Metrorail and Metrobuses will be increasing on Sunday, June 27 (pending final approval from the Metro Board on June 24), right during the Annual Conference. Metro’s Trip Planner has already incorporated the new fares, so check it out to determine the price of your trip.
Here’s a quick rundown of the changes in Metrorail fares:
Regular Fare (Weekdays before 9:30am & 3-7pm, after 2am on Weekends)
$1.75 minimum, $4.60 maximum (before June 27)
$1.95 minimum, $5.00 maximum (June 27 and After)
Reduced Fare (Weekdays 9:30am-3pm & after 7pm, Weekends before 2am)
$1.45 minimum, $2.45 maximum (before June 27)
$1.60 minimum, $3.00 maximum (June 27 and after)
Note that Metro fares are based on the distance you travel. The farther your trip, the more you’ll need to pay. Metro farecard machines display one-way fares from your station to each of the other stations but these may not be updated right away on June 27. (Metro instituted a temporary fare hike earlier this year, so add .10 to each listed fare for the pre-June 27 cost. I still forget to do this myself.)
Don’t forget to visit our wiki page for more D.C. information and helpful hints.
- Chris 
P.S. On a lighter note, if you’re in the mood music and BBQ, while you’re here, check out the Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 9th and 14th Streets on June 26 & 27. There’s an admission fee ($10/adults, $5/children 6-12, children 5 & under are free).
There are several Association activities scheduled for Annual Conference that new and not so new members and member leaders should definitely take note of. Here are a few not to miss:
- YALSA Happy Hour: What better way to start Conference then by meeting YALSA people at a Happy Hour? The Happy Hour is scheduled for Friday, June 25, from 5 to 7 PM at the Old Dominion Brew House, just a short walk from the Convention Center. For those new to YALSA this is a good way to get to meet members and member leaders. You can talk with YALSA’s incoming President Elect, Sarah Flowers, about how to get involved in the work of YALSA’s member groups, network, and relax with a welcoming and friendly group of people.
- Membership Meeting: Monday, June 28, at 1:30 PM at the Washington Convention Center Room 140 A/B is the time and place for YALSA’s annual Membership Meeting. This meeting is an excellent time for current members of YALSA, and those interested in getting involved in the Association, to learn more. This year one way members (and potential members) can learn about YALSA is via the question and answer portion of the meeting. Attendees will be able to ask questions during the session, but If you won’t be able to attend you can still submit questions by sending me an email at [email protected]. Along with the Q&A this year’s meeting also includes reports from the Association’s President and Executive Director, recognition of YALSA’s 2009-2010 award winers and new members, and Presentation of the Gavel to the Association’s incoming President, Kim Patton.
- Using District Days & Other Events to Advocate for Teens & Libraries: Instead of the traditional President’s Program following YALSA’s Membership Meeting, this year the Association is sponsoring a special advocacy program. During this program attendees will learn how to advocate for teens and libraries by being a part of ALA’s Day on the Hill and YALSA’s District Days. The Day on the Hill is June 29th, and District Days can be held at libraries nationwide in August during the Congressional recess. A portion of the program will be set aside to give attendees time to make signs to bring with them to the Rally on the Hill. (By the way, this year YALSA’s President’s Program is going virtual. You’ll be able to take part in that program on the web later this month by visiting the 2010 YALSA President’s Program site.)
- Leadership Development: Each Annual Conference, YALSA sponsors a Leadership Development session for those who are chairs of a Division member group and/or interested in leadership positions in YALSA. Over the past few years the YALSA Board has dedicated time to finding the best way to present these sessions in order to provide attendees with a useful experience. This year’s Leadership Development meeting will include time for chairs of YALSA member groups to discuss successes and challenges in their work and mini-training sessions on how the work in which YALSA’s member groups participate supports the Association’s strategic plan. Leadership Development is scheduled for Saturday, June 26, 8:00 to
Just under two weeks and I’ll be in D. C. for ALA Annual. I know I feel this way before every Annual, but I have to say it, “OMG, Annual is only two weeks away, how can it be so soon?”
That said, I’ve got a lot on my schedule for Annual Conference and as YALSA President there are a few things I want to make sure to highlight related to the meetings of the YALSA Board.
The agenda and supporting documents for YALSA’s Board meetings is now available on the YALSA website in the Governance section. When you take a look at the documents you’ll see that the Board is ready to have some interesting and important discussions related to the Association, projects in the works, and projects in planning and early implementation phases.
The Board plans to take action on:
- A proposal related to spending of Morris Endowment funds.
- The implementation of the Reader’s Choice list.
- The creation of a new interest group that will focus on managing teen services.
- An addition to the Association’s strategic plan which focuses on the member engagement and recruitment portion of plan.
Several topics are listed in the discussion portion of the agenda. These discussion items can have an action, but often when the Board discusses these items these discussions lead to a next step that may result in their appearance as an action item on a future Board agenda. Topics that will be discussed by the Board this Annual include:
- An evaluation tool under development that when completed will help librarians analyze how well their programs, services, staffing, and space meet the standards set-out by YALSA’s recently revised Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth.
- How to support chairs and members of the Association’s member groups in order to provide what’s needed to get the work of the Association accomplished.
- The role that YALSA can, and should, play in helping the profession succeed and move forward.
The agenda also includes informational items of which Board members and membership need to be aware. These items aren’t specifically discussed, they do however provide useful background and supplementary information for Board and Association members. These informational items cover:
- A report from YALSA’s Web Advisory Committee on the Association’s For Members Only section of its website. The report includes recommendations on what the section should include and how it should be revised.
- An update on the BBYA/BFYA transition that includes an overview of the work that’s been accomplished following the vote by the YALSA Board to transition BBYA to BFYA.
- A report from the Association’s Division and Membership Promotion Committee with information on the results of a membership survey which was made available to members after Midwinter 2010.
- Reports from YALSA staff on membership, communications, continuing education, and more.
The above is just a sampling of the topics, actions, and discussions the YALSA Board will focus on at Annual Conference. YALSA members are encouraged to read through the documents the Board will be working with at their meetings.
All Association Board meetings are open and members should feel
When visiting the Washington D.C. area this June for ALA’s Annual Conference, fans of this country’s Colonial history, or fans of forensic science will want to book time for a trip to the Smithsonian: National Museum of Natural History to see Written in Bone: Forensic Files of the 17th Century Chesapeake. The exhibit runs through February 6, 2011, but why wait?
Forensic Anthropologist, Doug Owsley, provides an excellent online introduction to the exhibit and mentions two of the not-to-be missed “bone biographies” featured. He also mentions the forensic anthropology lab, which is open for self-guided, hands-on exploration and is also available for more traditional class-oriented school programs. Check into the details for the lab on the website, especially if you are bringing a group.
Whether you are a Maryland/Virginia history buff, a Forensic Files fanatic or a fan of Sally M. Walker’s award-winning companion volume, Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland (Carolrhoda Books, 2009), this exhibit has something to capture your attention.
National Museum of Natural History Hours:
Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Weekends 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Annual is only two weeks away, and I am sure everyone is figuring out where you have to be and when. Is your schedule packed, but you still want to get out and explore Washington D.C.? Here are some “after-hours” options for you to consider!
Most of the monuments and memorials are open 24 hours a day (although they are not staffed with park employees around the clock). Some are actually much more stunning when lit up in the darkness. The National Mall is patrolled all hours, so it is a relatively safe area to visit, although you should always be cautious. Visiting at night also allows you to avoid the tourists and the D.C. heat and humidity. “Solemn Dignity” by Jonathan Berohn can give you an idea of what is worth seeing. Additionally, the Jefferson Memorial is pretty at night, and the Washington Monument will be open until 10 pm for the summer.
Some of the museums offer evening options. The National Gallery Sculpture Garden has a special “Jazz in the Park” program every Friday evening. Some Smithsonian museums have later summer hours (this includes the zoo). The International Spy Museum is open until 7 pm. The Phillips Collection is open until 8 pm on Thursdays.
If you are interested in venturing outside of the city, two cities in Virginia can be fun. Arlington has a lot of nightlife options that cater to the young professional crowd; Yelp lists some under Restaurants and Nightlife. Old Towne Alexandria offers a lot of history, great restaurants, and fun places to shop. The Torpedo Factory is a great place for various types of art.
Looking for nightlife in D.C.? Adams Morgan and Georgetown are two very popular places within D.C. city limits. If you want to stick closer to the Convention Center, Yelp can be a resource to browse for restaurants and other nightlife near by.
If you have any other suggestions, be sure to leave them in the comments!
Less than 3 weeks to go, Conference fans!
Attendees to the Annual Conference this year will have the good fortune of visiting Washington during the Smithsonian’s annual Folklife Festival on the National Mall (June 24-28 & July 1-5). Each year, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival spotlights some of the many cultures that make our country and our world so special. This year’s festival celebrates the cultures of Asian Pacific Americans and Mexico. There will also be a tribute to Haiti as well as a special area dedicated to the Smithsonian itself – Smithsonian Inside Out, which serves as a kick-off to the Institution’s bold new vision for the future. Enjoy each culture’s arts, crafts, music, food, and more!
Be sure to visit our wiki page for more tips and information at
http://wikis.ala.org/alsc/index.php/ALSC_%40_ALA_2010_Annual_Conference_in_the_Nation%27s_Capital for much more on D.C. and the Annual Conference.
- Chris
If you are attending the 2010 ALA Conference in Washington D.C. and you like to write, please contact me at [email protected] to learn more about how to share your conference experience with the readers of the ALSC Blog.
Thanks!
Teresa Walls
Manager, ALSC Blog
Risky Business
Please feel free to forward this report to others whom you think are interested
The mission of the Young Adult Library Services Association is to advocate, promote and strengthen service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to this population.
Mission Moment
How Recent YALSA Activities Support the Association’s Mission and Strategic Plan
Advocacy is the first goal listed in YALSA’s strategic plan and in May several activities of the Association supported this goal.
- Five YALSA members were selected to receive a stipend in order to make it possible for them to attend Library Advocacy Day on June 29 in Washington, DC. Thanks go to the Task Force (chaired by Chris Shoemaker) that reviewed applications and selected to whom the stipends would be awarded.
- YALSA held a webinar on advocacy which was facilitated by Karen Keyes. Association members can access the webinar on YALSA’s Members Only website.
- A packet of information was sent to faculty at library schools to highlight the importance of YA services in libraries, encourage expanded teen service oriented curriculum, and inform them of the resources and support YALSA can provide.
Accomplishments
- Each year ALA Division Presidents are asked to submit an annual report to ALA Council. YALSA’s report was submitted in May and is available in the Annual Reports area of the Governance section of the YALSA website.
- Incoming, outgoing, and continuing chairs of YALSA member groups participated in a chat that covered planning for Annual Conference, planning for Leadership Development and All Committee meetings at Conference, and the updated Job Description for YALSA Chairs and Job Description for Member Group Members, both recently approved by the YALSA Board. The updated job descriptions are designed to assist those planning on joining or chairing a YALSA member group, and those who have accepted member group appointments, understand expectations of service.
- As mentioned in the April President’s Report, the YALSA Board worked last month to develop a document that provides insight into the benefits of serving on the YALSA Board. That document is now available on the YALSA website.
- In order to continue to support members successfully, YALSA launched three new Task Forces in May. A Mentoring Task Force is charged with reading through mentor and protege applications submitted for YALSA’s new mentoring program and matching mentors to proteges. A Space Guidelines Task Force is charged with continuing the work of a previous Task Force in order to develop a set of teen space guidelines which will be presented to the YALSA Board at Midwinter 2011. And, the Table Talk Task Force is charged with planning and implementing a table talk session at Annual 201
As a Baby Boomer, I have always been a bit smug about my generation’s effect on American society. Because of our sheer numbers, we have influenced opinions and procedures regarding public education, child-rearing, music, home ownership, and yes, even menopause. I’m confident my generation will continue to demand change as we move into retirement and old age.
My conceit at being part of this highly-influential demographic was humbled recently, however. I read a report stating when the 2010 census is complete, the Baby Boom generation will officially lose its number-one status. Due to rising immigration as much as to rising birth rates, the Millennial generation is now the largest demographic group in America.
“Millennials” are those born between the years 1982 and 2000. The teens we serve every day in our libraries are members of this newly-crowned “largest generation in American history.” And just as the Baby Boomers required new services and new policies and new attitudes, so also we need to expand our vision to accommodate this exciting new population.
A few weeks ago I posted an entry here on this blog concerning services for older teens and twenty-somethings. The post generated several comments, both pro and con. Many question whether we can or should expand our focus to include the entire Millennial generation. But I ask, how can we not? How can we ignore the specific needs of this huge group?
Teen librarians can’t do this alone, however. Most of us are already balancing several job descriptions wrapped up into one position. So we need to seek ways to collaborate. Can we enlist the help of the adult department in our public libraries? Can we partner with a community college? Can we create a TAB or TAG for graduates?
YALSA also cannot be expected to lead this initiative alone. Collaboration among different ALA divisions such as AASL, ARCL, and PLA will be vital as we seek to provide specific services for our teen graduates.
A good place to begin this collaborative conversation will be at Annual in a few weeks. I encourage all of us to attend presentations offered by other divisions and sections that will help us garner ideas for expanded focus and collaboration as we serve ALL of the Millennials. An example is the Saturday afternoon offering, “Helping Students Transition to College” hosted by the LIRT Transitions to College Committee, affiliated with ACRL. Attendees will discuss strategies and challenges in helping students succeed in their first year of college.
I welcome more ideas and suggestions on how we can begin this process. Do you have other Annual presentations to recommend? Have you already found partners to help you expand services to older teens and twenty-somethings? Tell us about it!
Oh, and by the way, I’m alright with giving up my status as a member of the largest generation. It’s been a good ride. Now I’m excited to see what changes the Millennials will engender, and I want to be part of making those changes happen. Hurray for progress!
If you need a few quiet moments away from it all, we recommend taking time to visit and reflect at the Pentagon Memorial.
Perhaps few events in our lifetimes have had as large an effect on us as the tragedies that struck our country on September 11, 2001. In September 2008, the nation’s first permanent national memorial to those we lost that day was opened on the west side of the Pentagon (the same side that was severely damaged that fateful day). Each of the 184 memorial units (benches and lighted pools of water) commemorates the lives of the 59 passengers and crew of Flight 77 and the 125 Pentagon personnel who were taken from us that day. The memorials are arranged along a timeline from the youngest victim to the oldest and are in alignment with the path of airliner that crashed into the building. Additionally, each of the memorials to those on Flight 77 are facing such that you’re looking toward the sky when you read their names. Likewise, those of Pentagon personnel face such that you’re looking at the Pentagon when you read their names. And yes, you are welcome to sit on the benches and reflect, for that is, in part, the purpose of this memorial.
If you have an iPod or other mp3 player, we recommend that you download the audio tour to enhance your visit to this sacred space. Download it at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/interactives/pentagonmemorial/audiotour/index.html.
The Pentagon Memorial is accessible via the Pentagon Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines).
Be sure to visit our wiki page at
http://wikis.ala.org/alsc/index.php/ALSC_%40_ALA_2010_Annual_Conference_in_the_Nation%27s_Capital for much more on D.C. and the Annual Conference.
- Chris
Hop On the Bus to Storyville!
Take advantage of your stay in Washington, D.C., as part of the ALA conference, to see Baltimore County Public Library’s newest Storyville at the Woodlawn Branch. Storyville is an interactive learning center for children birth to five with their parents and caregivers to promote school readiness.
A bus will leave the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G Street NW) on Friday, June 25 at noon and will return to the library at 4:00 pm the same day. Reserve your space by emailing Cecily Pilzer, a member of the ALSC Local Arrangements Committee at [email protected]. To confirm the trip, thirty-five participants must send payment of $21.50 made out to the Baltimore County Public Library by June 11. Send payment in the form of a check to Maralita Freeny, Chair, ALSC Local Arrangements Committee, MLK Jr. Memorial Library, 4th Floor, 901 G Street NW, Washington DC 20001. Your check will not be cashed if the trip is canceled, and it will be returned to you.
For more information about Storyville, visit http://www.bcplstoryville.org/storyville_home.html
Advanced registration for ALA Annual Conference ends next Friday, May 14! Registering before advanced registration ends can save YALSA members $50 over onsite fees. Register today!
YALSA has a lot planned for Annual this year! You can download a full schedule of events and meetings (PDF) and find details on the conference and DC at the YALSA Annual Wiki.
Preconferences: YALSA is offering two exciting preconferences on June 25! You do not need to register for Annual to attend either preconference.
Join us at our full-day preconference from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., It’s Perfectly Normal: Dealing with “Sensitive” Topics in Teen Services, with authors Ben Saenz, Laurie Halse Anderson, Nina LaCour, David Levithan, and Ellen Hopkins. Lunch and a swag bag included! (Ticketed Event– YALSA Member: $195; ALA Member: $235; Non-Member: $285; Student/Retired Member: $195.)
Or participate in our half-day preconference from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Promoting Teen Reading with Web 2.0 Tools, with authors Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl, Malinda Lo, John Green, David Levithan. Tickets cost $99.
Special events: YALSA will honor its award winners and authors featured on its selected lists with several special events during Annual 2010! Join us June 26 from noon to 1:30 p.m. for the Margaret A. Edwards Luncheon ($55 in advance/not available onsite), honoring this year’s winner, Jim Murphy. On June 27, start your day at the YA Authors’ Coffee Klatch ($19 in advance/$25 onsite) from 9 to 10 a.m., featuring authors from YALSA’s literary awards and selected booklists. On June 28 from 8 to 10 p.m., finish out your Annual at the Michael L. Printz Program and Reception ($29 in advance/$35 onsite), featuring this years’ winner, Libba Bray, as well as honor book authors Deborah Heiligman, Rick Yancey, Adam Rapp, and John Barnes.
In addition to our ticketed events, YALSA will honor its Alex Award winners at a free program on June 27 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. YALSA and ALSC will also honor the Odyssey Award winner, Louise: The Adventures of a Chicken, at a free reception on June 28, 4-5:30 p.m., sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association.
How to register: If you are planning to attend ALA Annual Conference, you can add any of our events to your registration at www.ala.org/annual.
If you have already registered and would like to add this special event to your registration, you have two options: (1) By phone: Call ALA Registration at 1-800-974-3084 and ask t
Better late than never — this is the final post in Museums Month!
One of Washington D.C.’s newest museums is the Newseum, devoted to the history of news. The front of the building includes a stone wall engraved with the beginning section of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This overlooks Pennsylvania Avenue, making it something every president will see on his or her Inauguration Day parade route. The lobby of the museum displays the daily front page of 80 newspapers from around the world.
Permanent exhibits within the museum cover a variety of topics, including the flow of news, news in the Web 2.0 world, and photography in the news. Major events also receive their own exhibits, including 9/11, Watergate, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. (The Newseum claims to hold the largest collection of Berlin Wall pieces outside of Germany!) A map displays the current condition of free press around the world, which recently changed a bit according to a story in the Washington Post. Special exhibits that are currently on display are devote to Elvis, Sports Illustrated Photography, Tim Russert, and the one I am dying to see – First Dogs: Presidential Pets in the White House.
The Newseum does charge admission but the tickets are good for two days. Tickets purchased online receive a 10% discount. If you are not able to visit the Newseum, the website is worth exploring. It has resources for students and teachers, games, and even a virtual tour of the museum.
Other museums we did not cover during Museum Month but worth checking out include O Mansion, African American Civil War Memorial and Museum, National Museum of Health and Medicine, and the National Museum of Crime and Punishment.
As we get closer to Annual, are there any other topics you would like the Local Arrangements Committee to cover? Leave a comment and let us know!
Heading to our nation’s capitol this summer? Whether you’re a brand new or seasoned YALSA member, we need your help manning our action-packed booth in the exhibit hall!
This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues, learn more about your organization, and engage wandering attendees about the wonders and glories of ALA’s fastest growing division! The YALSA Booth will be open the following hours, so email the Division and Membership Committee at [email protected] now to reserve your preferred shift!
*Fri., June 25, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
*Sat., June 26, 9:00am – 5:00pm
*Sun., June 27, 9:00am – 5:00pm
*Mon., June 28, 9:00am – 4:00pm
More information on volunteering for the YALSA Booth is available here: http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/Exhibits
Please volunteer your time and expertise by hosting the ALSC booth at ALA Annual in Washington D.C. Two-hour slots are available starting Friday, June 25th through Monday June 28th. Exhibits will be held in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Halls A, B and C. The ALSC booth will be located in the Membership Pavilion, booth #2525.
Friday, June 25 (Opening Celebration)
5:30-7:30 pm
Saturday, June 26
9:00 – 11:00 am
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
1:00 – 3:00 pm
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 27
9:00 – 11:00 am
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
1:00 – 3:00 pm
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Monday, June 28
9:00 – 11:00 am
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
1:00 – 3:00 pm
3:00 – 4:00 pm* (1 hour slot)
Please send me an email by Friday, June 4th if you are interested in this wonderful opportunity. Please include your preferred time slots.
Thank you!
Kerry Gleason
[email protected]
ALSC Membership Committee
Nearly 6 more weeks to go!
Washington, D.C. was first laid out by Pierre Charles L’Enfant in 1791. L’Enfant’s plan was never fully recognized after an argument broke out between him and Andrew Ellicott, who had been conducting the survey of the District’s boundaries along with Benjamin Banneker. Ellicott’s revised version of L’Enfant’s plan is the basis for how Washington is presently laid out. When traveling around town, it will be hard to get lost if you keep these few things in mind:
1) The Lettered Streets (A-W) run east/west (parallel to the Mall). A Street is closest to the Mall with the letters following alphabetically as you work north or south of the Mall.
a) B Street is now Constitution Avenue north of the Mall and Independence Avenue south of the Mall
b) There is no J Street
c) I Street is sometimes referred to as Eye Street to avoid confusion with other letters or numbers.
d) A Quadrant designation (NW, NE, SW, SE) follows the name of each street to signal what part of the city it’s in.
2) The numbered streets run north/south (perpendicular to the Mall).
a) 1st Street is the nearest north/south street to the Capitol. 2nd, 3rd, etc. are further east/west of the Capitol.
b) A Quadrant designation (NW, NE, SW, SE) follows the name of each street to signal what part of the city it’s in.
3) Streets named for states (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Connecticut, etc.) run diagonally through lettered and/or numbered streets.
Look for the blue directional signs that point the way to nearby Metro Stations and other important landmarks.
Weather
Be prepared for heat! The average temperature in D.C. during the last week of June is around 86° F. However, those who have been to other ALA Annual Conferences know that the week of the conference tends to be the hottest and most humid of the year in the host city. (We did get very lucky in Chicago last year though.) When the ALA Annual Conference was last held in D.C. back in 2007, the temperatures held mainly in the low to mid 80s with moderate humidity but we did hit the low 90s with high humidity before the conference ended. Bring a good pair of walking shoes, some sunscreen, a hat, and an umbrella just to be safe. Be prepared for a chill as well.
Be sure to visit our wiki page at
http://wikis.ala.org/alsc/index.php/ALSC_%40_ALA_2010_Annual_Conference_in_the_Nation%27s_Capital for much more on D.C. and the Annual Conference.
- Chris
P.S. It may be hot outside but one never knows how cold the meeting rooms at the convention center and various hotels will be. Bring your sweater with you if you have one.
For those of you considering driving to a Metro station, parking there and taking the subway into the conference, please note you may need to buy a SmarTrip card for $5 (you must then add money) to exit the parking lot! None of the lots take cash. Most are free weekends, but not all. That card will also serve as your farecard to get around on the Metro.
And the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is also taking place the weekend of June 26-27 on the mall. Free to attend and walk the displays, and not too far from the Convention Center.