ALA Midwinter – Philly – Sunday, 1/13

Sunday’s highlights:

 

 

The REFORMA Board meeting was a well attended one where we discussed exciting projects for the association. If you serve Latinos and Spanish speakers, you want to join REFORMA! New officers: an orientation will be offered to you soon. I will post news about that as I receive them.

 

 

Greenwood Advisory Board lunch took place at the Public House. These folks have exciting databases such as the Latin American Experience, the African American Experience and coming up, the American Indian Experience. Greenwood also hosts a blog about Latino issues by Ilan Stavans. Greenwood people are cool: shouts to Kevin, Vince and Brien

 

 

 

President’s Program: Dr. Kareen Abdul-Jabbar was in the house. The Harlem-born, shared four points about the importance of our own history, background, and loving our heritage. They deserve their own entry- I am posting an entry solely about that soon.

 

 

 

REFORMA National Conference III (Sept. 18-21): Look out for celebrities and fabulous authors at this event. More informatoin (soon): www.reforma.org

 

 

AILA reception was really cool and I got to talk to interesting people. From there, few of us went to meet other friends at the Elsevier reception where we exchanged more ideas and continued networking. The day was long but it was good!

 

People who rocked the day: Robin, Julia, Nannette, David, Miguel F, Miguel GF and Cecilia

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALA Midwinter – Philly- Saturday, 1/12

Saturday was an extremely busy day. Highlights:

 

 

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to talk to first-timee attendees to an ALA conf. at the New Members Round Table (NMRT) Orientation. While waiting to speak to newbies, I listened to various speakers, one said that the way one carries the conference program might attract attention to one hotness. wao! I didn’t know that. She went on to say that you can even find the love your life – yay yay

 

 

The Orientation is a fantastic concept to help newbies to navigate the conference. The NMRT is doing a great job. I look forward to talk to more newbies at the next NMRT Orientation in Anaheim.

 

 

I am speaking at the NMRT President’s Program @ ALA-Anaheim in June. The program seeks to address a critical issue for library associations and librarianship. Don’t miss it! Title: Crossing the Intergenerational Divide.

 

 

Virtual everything: Many members of divisions are thinking of increasing virtual membership, committees and perhaps conferences. While I am all for technology and online work, I still favor conferences where we have the unique opportunity of networking with colleagues on a face-to-face basis. It is my experience that many agreements (detailas) are worked out in halls, coffe breaks, gatherings, after conference drinks and dinners. That is priceless and cannot be replaced by virtual conferences which, don’t take me wrong, I love too.

 

 

IFLA Update: I will highlight a few points but for more information visit ifla.org // 2008 IFLA Conference will be in Quebec. 2009 @ Milan, Italy. 2010 @ Brisbane, AUS. Central America and the Caribbean has been selected as the next region for IFLA Conference – yes!

 

 

LJ Movers & Shakers: Two very good friends are part of the 2008 cohort. Love to Robin Kear and Mario Ascencio. I am a 2007 Mover & Shaker.

 

 

Camila Alire Campaign Kickoff was a very telling event. Camila’s event attracted so many ALA members that attendees had to move to the hall in front of the room reserved for the occasion. I counted at least 6 ALA past Presidents.

 

 

How I closed the day? Dining at Prime Rib – yummy! – at the Radisson Plaza Warwick hotel. I made a new friend, the manager of this high-end establishement was introduced to me by Mario my fellow REFORMA colleague and I seriously voted to return. Gentlemen, remember to wear a jacket when you go