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.