What a Time To Be in San Francisco! How to put what I learned at ALA into practice

Posted by Brenda Sevigny-Killen on 7/7/15 1:54 PM

ALAAC15, Conferences, Events, Uncategorized

What a time to be in San Francisco! The weekend of ALA Annual coincided with the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage and the annual San Francisco Pride Parade. The weekend didn’t fail to deliver both in festiveness and ALA Conference fun!

The opening session featured Roberta Kaplan, the lawyer instrumental in defeating the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Her timely tales on DOMA were followed by the award presentation to the Enoch Pratt Library, which was a safe haven during the Baltimore riots. Nancy Pelosi joined with praise for the Enoch Pratt librarians and Kaplan. It was truly a jubilant opening act.

Nancy Pelosi, Enoch Pratt Librarians, TechSource Nancy Pelosi and Enoch Pratt Librarians

Choosing from the multitudes of sessions offered at this year’s conference was difficult. Highlights included the lively ACRL Copyright Discussion Group, where a bunch of us nerdy copyright “experts” shared our toils and troubles navigating the gray world of copyright.   Also spirited, informative, and fast-paced was ALA’s Library Instruction Round Table’s session “Help Yourself! Library Instruction that Supports Self-directed Learning” where alternatives to one-shot instruction were presented. The session on the lessons and follies of DDA acquisition plans was very illuminating as well.

Back at library, I have much to do to put what I learned into practice. As I anticipate a very full schedule of library instruction for the fall semester I am comforted by my newfound instruction techniques. With the help of my fellow copyright nerds, my newfound understanding will help create a “Copyright Short Course” for faculty.

I have much to share with my colleagues on Demand Driven (DDA) aka Patron Driven (PDA) acquisitions plans. Amid the buzz about DDA plans, the experiences of librarians are just now being told. Time will tell if fad or trend and I look forward to my experience with DDA acquisitions.

The Pride Parade on Sunday brought an interesting element to the ALA Conference experience. With shuttle bus delays and thousands of rainbow-decked people crowding the streets of San Francisco, all ALA attendees must have felt a part of this historical event!

A million thanks to Credo who made it possible for me to expand my professional skills and network with colleagues. It was truly a privilege to attend.

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