I’m still coming down from ALA. I’ve uploaded pictures and videos, started many posts about it, posted a couple, and thought a lot about what it all means.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about what to get involved in and where to draw the line. Next year, I’ll be working full time and attending school full time, and I’m running for secretary in two divisions of the Nebraska Library Association (I think – and sorta hope – I’ll only win one.) I hope to give another presentation next year, or at least a give poster session or two. One of the big things I got from ALA was that it’s important to get involved- and I want to. I don’t know how past conferences were, but there seemed to be something in the air at this conference- the consensus seemed to be that change is coming, and it’ll be great.
At the same time, I don’t want to push myself. And I am itching to get involved with something real, and local – maybe some kind of volunteer work at the Lincoln City Libraries? I don’t want all my participation to be in the form of meetings and committees, and my job does not involve much in the way of actual library work. I need to get my hands dirty, so to speak.
So for now, I’m sitting back, and seeing what happens. I’m enjoying my break from school, and reading a lot. I’m sure going to miss this next week….
I’ve never been to ALA, but a lot of conferences I have been to give off that feeling. I find them energizing. I do think it is easier to meet people and interact with them in more meaningful ways at smaller conferences, but that is just my experience.