As memories of our 116th Annual CLA Conference fade into the sunset...and the Connecticut Convention Center moves onto to another event, we want to thank all of you,our attendees, our volunteers, our speakers, our vendors, our wonderful venue and our outstanding CLA Executive Board led by President Barbara Bailey. Everyone worked very hard to make this Conference a sucess.

I would also like to thank our student blogger Brenda Mitchell-Powell for her observations. She has articulated much of what I wanted to say but ran out of time to write down. I invite all of you to join in on this conversation, tell us the good things, tell us the bad things, tell us anything that you think might be important in planning the 117th Annual CLA Conference.

Also, if you have not yet completed your evaluation forms, please do so and fax them to Paula Cook, (860)512-3411.

See you all soon! Perhaps Book Expo at the Javits Center in New York, perhaps ALA in Washington, D.C.

And now, in closing....

Once again, we had a day filled with both practical and theoretical sessions. In my 18 years of attending conferences, few have matched the quality of programming and the perfection of organization as this 2007 CLA experience! The board, committee members, and organizers deserve our deepest gratitude and respect. Thanks for providing us with a memorable experience! And "Thank you!" to Leslie Burger for honoring us with not just one but two days of participation. In the midst of a perpetually busy schedule, your sacrifices on our behalf are deeply appreciated.

I really want to make mention of Rita Vine's presentation titled "Personalizing the Reference Interview." Her insightful analysis of reference queries framed in the context of information versus communication was brilliant! This was truly one of the best sessions of the entire conference! We were challenged to rethink our approach to interacting with patrons to ensure that they left the library satisfied with acquired knowledge and with the librarian who serviced them. We were reminded that our patrons are unique individuals who deserve our full attention and commitment, even when they're asking a question previously posed by numerous classmates. Thanks, Rita, for inspiring us to honor our profession by representing the best we have to offer each and every user!

I'm sorry the conference is over. I have met colleagues with whom I hope to correspond for years to come. My conference attendance filled me with admiration for our profession and its practitioners. I'm thrilled to think that this time next year I'll prepare to matriculate and to begin the next chapter of my life. An enormous "Thank you!" to all those who contributed to a defining experience. See you next year!
Brenda

Something for Everyone!

Today was amazing! The CLA Conference team assembled a program that truly included something for everyone. After the official ribbon cutting ceremony, there were sessions for children's librarians, reader's advisory librarians, techies, library administrators, librarians working in public libraries or technical services, and librarians working with immigrant populations or populations of native-born constituents with limited educational skills. Marketing and publicity strategies were addressed by Trumbull Library Foundation members Rick Bolton and Charlie Slack, who oversaw the evening's fundraiser, as well as a daytime event; Yale librarian Fred Shapiro spoke about compiling the Yale Book of Quotations; Chris Bradley moderated a panel with CT State Librarian Kendall Wiggin, Barbara Gibson, Vince Juliano, and Kevin McCarthy that addressed the implications of large-scale boomer attrition. ALA President Leslie Burger generously devoted another day to our conference with a presentation on national initiatives and co-membership opportunities that included Chapter Relations Office Director Michael Dowling and ALA Manager for Development John Chraskta. Polly Labarre mesmerized the luncheon audience with alternative perspectives and strategies for success in life, as well as in library settings.

The last event of the afternoon was the awards ceremony. Honorees were cheered by colleagues and friends who clearly lauded their accomplishments and shared their successes.

The most important component of the day, however, was the co-mingling of librarians from various specializations and settings, who shared challenges and solutions, and fortified their spirits with mutual moral support. It was a day in which we were extremely proud to be librarians. I, for one, can't wait to formalize my association with this admirable community that dedicates so much time and energy to the benefit of others.

Here we are, beautiful downtown Hartford. The Convention Center is really great. Bring your good walking shoes, it takes good hiking skills move about the Conference.

The pre-conferences went well despite the weather and we are now ready to cut the ribbon for the exhibits and begin.

Last night the Hartford Public Library held a wonderful reception. Thank you Louise Blalock and Catherine D'Italia for the lovely and gracious event. ALA President Leslie Burger honored our own Connecticut Four and made all of us proud of our profession and the dedication of our colleagues.

See you on the convention floor.

A Great Beginning!

If the rousing success of today's Pre-Conferences is any indication of the course of CLA's 2007 Annual Conference, then it's safe to assume that the organizers have a hit. It was clear that much thought, time, energy, and planning had gone into the opening sessions. Attendees were greeted with enthusiasm and warmth by the CLA team at the conference registration desk, and the staff members of the Convention Center and Marriott Hotel were helpful and courteous. Thomson/Gale provided attendees with really (really!!) nice tote bags that I suspect will be used for years to come. Breakfast goodies and lots of coffee prepped us for the excitement to come.

As I mentioned yesterday, I registered for Linda Braun's Pre-Conference III: "How'd They Do That? Using Technology for Innovation in Your Library." Linda was tremendous! Her dynamic, interactive presentation left us eager to implement Library 2.0/Web 2.0 projects in our own facilities. We were treated to thorough demonstrations of Twitter, Podcasts, Second Life, Library Thing, and tagging, as well as to discussions of technology's implications not only for libraries, but also for existing and would-be patrons. Most important, we were reminded of our obligation to reach out to patrons, rather than waiting for them to come to us. Kudos to Linda and to the Public Library Section that organized the event!

The day concluded with a gracious reception hosted by the Hartford Public Library and its Director, Louise Blalock, in honor of "The Connecticut Four" -- George Christian, Barbara Bailey, Peter Chase, and Jan Nocek. ALA President Leslie Burger delivered a moving introduction, which underscored the gratitude and pride we feel toward our courageous colleagues.

More tomorrow!
Brenda

Off to a Running Start!

April 16th is the big day -- Pre-Conferences for the 2007 CLA Annual Conference! My name is Brenda Mitchell-Powell, and I'm a student in the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. I'll contribute a student perspective on the conference to our blog. Though I've attended CLA conferences in the past, I did so as a library paraprofessional. Formal education and training (I'll reach the half-way mark toward my degree at the conclusion of this semester) mean that I'm significantly better prepared to reap big rewards from my attendance at this year's conference.

I've registered for Linda Braun's Pre-Conference III titled "How'd They Do That? Using Technology for Innovation in Your Library." After a technology course at Simmons, I've become something of a tech junkie, so I'm hoping Linda provides some constructive ideas for implementing cutting-edge technolgies. Stay tuned for a wrap-up of the pre-conference session and the first day's events!

It's almost Conference time and some quick reminders to those who have yet to sign-up for the social events. Please try to let us know if you plan to attend the reception Monday night at the Hartford Public Library or the Golf & Jazz event on Tuesday evening at the Capital Community College. You can either e-mail me at clahey@newcanaanlibrary.org or CLA at
cla@ctlibrarians.org. Walk-ins are fine but we are trying to get an estimate of number of people attending for planning purposes.

Also, we will have a Job Posting Board in the registration area at the Convention Center. It will have three sections: Positions Available, Positions Wanted and Messages. There will be forms to use for each of the categories but it is advisable to bring your own postings.

On Tuesday, April 17th at 8:00 am Conference attendees and vendors are invited and encouraged to join the VIP ribbon cutting for the opening of the exhibits.

On Wednesday, April 18th at 8:00 am CLA holds the Annual CLA Meeting. Each person attending the meeting will be given a ticket for some fabulous raffle baskets.

Don't forget the great social events, Monday evening at the Hartford Public Library and Tuesday evening at the Capital Community College.