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Well, just over 2 months to left to go and counting…..

For many of the tourists who visit Washington, D.C., the “high point” of their time here is a trip to the top of the Washington Monument.  Did you know that there are two other places to get a great view of our nation’s capital (and avoid the crowds)?

 The Old Post Office Pavilion –

12^th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Near Federal Triangle Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines)

Built in 1899, the 315 ft. tower offers an observation deck at 270 feet, the third highest viewing point in D.C.  Enjoy the unparalleled views and check out the Bells of Congress, just below the observation deck.  Don’t forget to grab a snack or a souvenir at the shops and food court on the ground level.

Washington National Cathedral

Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW

Construction was begun in 1907 and completed in 1990.  The Cathedral is the seat of the Episcopal Church in both the U.S. and Washington but it also functions as a spiritual center for Americans of all faiths and has been the scene of many national moments of mourning, including several presidential funerals.  The observation deck in the southwest tower is over 200 ft, high, but because the Cathedral sits on a hill, you’re actually higher up than you would be in the Washington Monument.  The Cathedral is second largest in the U.S. and among its curiosities are a piece of the Moon contained within in the famed Space Window and Darth Vader hiding among the cathedral’s many gargoyles.

Did You Know?   Over 220 people are laid to rest at the Washington National Cathedral.  Among the best known are a U.S. President, one of America’s most revered advocates for people with visual and hearing disabilities, and the woman who taught her to overcome her disabilities.  Who are they?

http://wikis.ala.org/alsc/index.php/ALSC_%40_ALA_2010_Annual_Conference_in_the_Nation%27s_Capital

- Chris    

The Smithsonian Institution is affectionately called “Our Nation’s Attic” and it certainly earns that title.  The Smithsonian is made up of several different museums, each holding unique treasures.

Want to see Kermit the Frog, Jerry Seinfeld’s puffy shirt, the Star Spangled Banner, or an Inauguration gown worn by a First Lady?  Drop by the National Museum of American History.  This museum has undergone a big face lift, so even if you have been here before, it is worth seeing again.

At the National Portrait Gallery you can see Elvis, our Presidents, and many other faces – famous and not.

While the National Zoo recently said good-bye to the adorable panda Tai Shan so he could find a girlfriend in China, there are many other animals you can see at the Zoo.  If you need proof, drop by their website and check out one of the many animal cams they feature.

The Hirshhorn is THE place for modern and contemporary art, and the Sculpture Garden holds so much inspiration, at least one couple I know got engaged there.

The Air and Space Museum has so many aviation and space related exhibits worth seeing, they have two buildings – one in D.C. and one out in Virginia near the Dulles Airport.  This tends to be a favorite with children, teens, and anyone who dreams big, so if you are coming to Annual with family, everyone is bound to enjoy either or both museums.

The Museum of Natural History allows visitors to see the big (dinosaur bones) and the dangerous (the Hope Diamond – rumored to be cursed).

This is just a fraction of what the Smithsonian has to offer.  There are many more museums devoted to art, cultural heritage, and even the Postal Service that can be found on the Smithsonian website.  Admission to the museums is free (although they will get you for parking or a bus ride if you wish to see the Dulles branch of the Air and Space).  More information can be found on their website.

Do you have a fondness for James Bond or Jason Bourne?  If so, you do not want to miss exploring the International Spy Museum while you are in Washington D.C. for Annual this year!

The International Spy Museum is designed to appeal to both older children and adults.  As you wander through the museum, you’ll  learn about the history of spying and the many ways it’s been accomplished over the years.  Could Moses have been a spy?  The museum covers spying as far back as the Greeks, and moves up to modern day spying and the technology used.  The gadgets are a lot of fun to look at, and includes such innovations as a lipstick gun, invisible ink, and buttonhole cameras.  Using film, audio, and other methods, first hand accounts are included throughout so visitors can learn about real events, and maybe even get a glimpse at what might motivate a person to become a spy.  Interactive exhibits let the visitors get an idea of whether they might make a good spy…or not!

My personal favorite part of the museum was a room devoted to animals who have worked for spies.  Pictures taken using cameras attached to trained pigeons were amazing.  If you cannot visit the museum but want to learn more about animal spies, check out the book The Cold War Pigeon Patrols and Other Animal Spies by Danielle Denega.

The International Spy Museum is privately owned and operated, so adult admission is $18.00.  The museum also has a few special attractions for an extra fee.  More information can be found at the museum’s website.

If you’re planning an extended visit in the Washington DC area before or after the annual conference, consider a day trip to one of the near-by cities accessible from DC by car or public transportation.  During the week, commuter trains service both Frederick (MD) and Harper’s Ferry (WV)   and Fredericksburg (VA).   By car, these are a short drive away when commuters aren’t on the road.  These cities offer lots of charm, shopping, and tourist attractions.

Baseball aficionados may want to visit Baltimore (MD), also reachable by commuter rail and Amtrak.  Baltimore was the birthplace of George Herman “Babe” Ruth.  During the Annual Conference, Oriole Park at Camden Yards will be the site of the “Battle of the Beltways,” part of the MLB interleague series between the Baltimore Orioles (AL) and the Washington Nationals (NL).

Check out the ALSC Annual Conference Wiki for additional tips for theatre-lovers, shoppers, history buffs, and more.  The ALSC Local Arrangements Committee will be making additions every week as the conference approaches.

- Micki & Chris

The ALSC Local Arrangements Committee is ready and waiting to welcome to our nation’s capital for this year’s ALA Annual Conference, June 24-29.  We’ll be periodically sharing tidbits of information about D.C. and the conference here on the ALSC Blog during the next 2 1/2 months as we blogdown to the Annual Conference.

Getting Around D.C. – The Metro

The key to getting around Washington is familiarizing yourself with our Metro Transit System.  Known to locals as simply the Metro (several of its lines run at or above ground level, so it’s not strictly a subway), the transit system’s rail portion has been in operation since April 1976.  If you find yourself traveling on the Red Line through Downtown D.C., you’ll be on the oldest part of the system.  With 106.3 miles of tracks and 86 stations in 2 states and the District of Columbia, Metro is the 2^nd largest rail transit system in the U.S. 

• Metro’s train lines are organized by color (Red, Blue, Orange, Green, and Yellow)
• You can find what colors serve each station by looking at the colored stripes on the top of the brown station identification pylon outside the station entrance. 
• Fares are higher during peak travel times (Weekdays, Opening-9:30am and 3-7pm and Weekends, 2am-Closing)
• Don’t put your farecard near your cell phone – it’ll become demagnetized and useless.

Most hotels and attractions in downtown D.C. (including the Convention Center) are within a few blocks of a Metro station so hop aboard and enjoy your ride.

 Metro’s Wheaton Station in suburban Montgomery County, MD has its own claim to fame.  Find out what truly uplifting record it holds and as well as other more helpful information for your visit to D.C. at our ALSC Annual Conference Wiki at http://wikis.ala.org/alsc/index.php/ALSC_%40_ALA_2010_Annual_Conference_in_the_Nation%27s_Capital.

- Chris    

Do you ever find your conversations with teens veering more toward the personal than the professional?

Are books on sex, drugs, abuse or depression constantly going missing from your shelves?

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I’m a librarian, not a therapist!” (…or a social worker, or a nurse, or a police officer?)

Would you like to hear how some of the hottest YA authors incorporate tough subject matter into their books–and their interactions with teens?

If you answered yes to any of the above, YALSA’s full-day preconference on June 25 is for you!

It’s Perfectly Normal: Dealing with “Sensitive” Topics in Teen Services will take an in-depth look at topics like sexuality, abuse, privacy and others that can be tough for young adult librarians to tackle with teens (and the adults in their lives). We’ll hear from experts in the field of adolescent development, along with authors and librarians, about how to successfully maneuver these conversations and the services and programs that come with them, along with collection development strategies geared toward “sensitive” topics.

Authors Ben Saenz, Laurie Halse Anderson, Nina LaCour, David Levithan, and Ellen Hopkins will all be participating.

You don’t need to register for ALA Annual to attend the preconference. If you’ve already registered and would like to add a preconference or special event, you have two options: (1) By phone: Call ALA Registration at 1-800-974-3084 and ask to add a workshop to your existing registration, or (2) Online: Add an event to your existing registration by clicking on this link. Use your log in and password to access your existing Annual registration and add events in the “Your Events” section (screen 6). Then simply check out and pay for the events you’ve added.