The Overachieving Archivist Goes to ALA!

From June 20th-June 27th I will be in Anaheim, California at the American Library Association Annual Conference. North Carolina Central University School of Library Science IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) 2011-2012 scholarship recipients were awarded travel and expenses by IMLS to attend this wonderful one-of-a-kind educational and professional development experience. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to meet librarians, authors, and activists from around the world and network with librarians from all walks of life and library specializations. I keep trying to tell people how cool being a librarian/archivist is!

Even though Disney Land is right across the street from the Anaheim Convention Center where the conference is being held, this trip isn't all Mickey Mouse Hats and Fireworks. In addition to the requirement that we attend sessions in eight content areas: Management/Leadership, Reference Services, Technology, Community Engagement/Services, Professional Development, A User Population (children, teens, the elderly, the homeless, international students, etc.), Research, and One Major Area Session (I'm going to hear Sapphire, author of the book "Push" on which the motion picture "Precious" was based), we are to write a 3-5 page report (piece of cake!).

I am most excited about the sessions on increasing diversity (both ethnic and educational background) in academic libraries, meeting other young stereotype-challenging-21st Century librarians, all the free give-a-ways in the exhibit hall, and the bounty of career development workshops. I will be editing this post as the week goes on so please check back for more pictures and updates. Peace In Your Local Library!

Getting Registered

Free Shuttle Service: ALA Knows Hospitality!

Just a Taste of the Conference Offerings

ALA President, Molly Raphael During the Open Session

Exhibit Hall

Look at ALL the Librarians!

Me and the Flirting Robot

Cool Library Technology

Self-Service Library Circulation Kiosk

I Was Too Scared to Get Closer

ALA Highlights: Revitalizing Research for Young Adults

Another extremely informative session I attended was “Revitalizing the Research Process” which coalesced the interest areas of emerging technologies, information literacy, instruction, and social media and networks. The American Association of School Librarians sponsored this lecture which led attendees through the latest Web 2.0 platforms used by teachers and school librarians in an Illinois school district to introduce high school students to the best research strategies and keep them engaged by capitalizing on their creativity. The interactive lecture began with a poll asking about our professions (librarian, teacher, other). We answered by texting on our smartphones. The results were even tabulated in real time before our eyes! The presenters discussed the following methods involved in teaching research,

1.      Generating, narrowing, and evaluating sources

2.      Gathering, documenting and evaluating sources

3.      Authentic assessment

4.      Feedback

I learned about the computational knowledge search engine, Wolfram Alpha, which lists completely factual information about a search topic and condenses sources from the entire web into an easily accessible format. More great research tools I will use in preparation for upcoming papers is Bubbl.us, which allows users to organize information visually with bubbles and Piigo, which uses virtual sticky notes to annotate articles on the web, saving paper and allowing the visual learners to organize information in way that suits them. This workshop provided resources that I can use in both job interview presentations (Prezi, Piktochart, Weebly) and recommend in on the job in reference interviews.

ALA Highlights: Libraries as Safe Spaces for LGBT Students

The best workshop I attended at ALA by far was “Fabulous Havens: Libraries as Safe Spaces for the Needs of LGBT Youth”. This interactive workshop, presented by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) focused on ways libraries can create safe, respectful and healthy environments for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. The lecturer was absolutely amazing!

As a group ,attendees discussed times when we spoke up as allies for LBGT teens and young adults in our professional settings and offered one another suggestions for how to make LBGT materials more accessible for this population without being inflammatory or making them recipients of unwanted attention.

One of my fellow young librarians shared that she often assigns characters contrary voices during story time in the public library. She said that when the character is given a gender neutral name but the activity of the plot is masculine she'll give them a more feminine voice and vice versa. She also told the group that sometimes she changes stories to include same-sex partnerships. We laughed, exchanged Hi-5's and applauded her.

We watched videos featuring real youth discussing their triumphs, trials, and disappointments with authority figures in places like school and libraries where their safety is supposed to be ensured.  GLSEN ended the session by passing out “Safe Space” kits which feature stickers, signage, brochures and guides to being allies for LBGT teens.

 This was my favorite session because it is where I felt the most warmth and camaraderie amongst librarians. I hope the libraries I work in will be receptive to using the Safe Space Kit and creating a healthy environment for diversity in its various expressions.