Conference News

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Advice for First-Timers

Why Go?

Never been to a YALSA event at ALA's Annual Conference? Here's what some attendees from the 2006 conference had to say:

"YALSA is dynamic and exciting. I'm proud to be a member."

"YALSA does a great job of offering networking opportunities and programs with enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenters."

"I thought the topics were great and covered a lot of ground. I also enjoyed hearing from so many authors. Overall, a superb job by YALSA!"

"It's the members that make YALSA such an inspiring organization."

"YALSA continues to get better and more diverse. It's great to see it so relevant."

Tips for Getting Support to Attend Conferences

1. Find out if your place of work or school has professional development or travel funds that you may be eligible for. Learn how the funds are dispensed (e.g. first come first serve, via application process, etc.). Be sure to meet deadlines and fill out all paperwork completely.


2. Do some research to find out which organizations offer professional development scholarships that may help defray your conference costs. Be sure to check with your state or regional library or other professional association. Sometimes other organizations may also be willing to support your professional development, such as a school's PTA or PTO. YALSA has a conference grant and the deadline to apply is Dec. 1 each year. Go to YALSA's Awards & Grants web page to learn more.


3. Make a case to your supervisor as to how you, your library and your patrons will benefit from your attendance. Here are some points to cover: a) Discuss the opportunity you will have to visit the exhibit floor and see the latest print & AV materials and newest emerging technologies. Point out that many vendors offer special discounts to conference attendees. Knowledge of these resources enhances your ability to serve your library's patrons. b) Identify which conference programs will help you meet your professional development goals at work and/or help further the library's mission. To find out what programs are being offered, check the March issue of American Libraries for a list of preliminary programs for the ALA Annual Conference. YALSA lists its complete slate of events and programs on this wiki for each Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting. The final list of all ALA Annual Conference programs will be available each May at the Annual Conference website. c) Offer to share what you learned at the conference with your coworkers via a presentation at a staff meeting or other means when you return. d) Point out the fact that most exhibitors offer special discounts for conference goers. Also, many exhibitors steeply discount or even give away books on the last day the exhibit hall is open. This is a way to enhance your collection on a tight budget.


4. Think about ways you can limit expenses. a) Register for the conference as early as you can to get the best rate. For the Annual conference the best is actually the bundled registration option where individuals can register for both ALA's Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference at one low rate. This option is only available during the month of Sept. After that advance registration rates apply. b) Become an ALA member to get discounted rates. c) Reduce hotel costs by sharing a room. d) Seek out airfare sales or use miles, if possible. Book your flight as far in advance as you are able. If driving is an option, consider car pooling.


5. Plan ahead. ALA's web site posts its meeting dates on this web page.


6. If you have any questions about YALSA at the ALA conferences or meetings, please don't hesitate to contact us.


What to Do Before You Get to the ALA Conference or Midwinter Meeting

Plan:

  • Read "Lady Luck or Good Planning? Get Ready for Conference," by Diane Chen, which is full of tips on how to get the most out of a conference.
  • If you want to minimize costs by sharing a room with someone, post your request on the YALSA wiki, or ask coworkers.
  • Find a coworker, classmate or friend who is also going to the conference and plan to meet up for a meal, to tour the exhibit hall and go to receptions. Milling around a gargantuan convention center with 20,000 strangers can be daunting, but having a friend or even acquaintance to join you in attending specific activities makes things less stressful.
  • Do some pre-planning to identify what programs and events you'd like to attend at the conference. You'll find information in:
  • Purchase tickets for the Printz Program & Reception, Edwards Luncheon, YA Coffee Klatch, or preconference. To purchase tickets, contact Nichole Gilbert at ngilbert@ala.org or 1.800.545.2433 x4387. Tickets for all of these events (except the Edwards Luncheon) will be available onsite, but they will have additional costs and they might sell out before the day of the event.

Pack:

  • Very comfortable shoes. Really.
  • An extra bag, or plan to ship books and other items that you purchase or get for free from the exhibit hall.
  • A sweater. It will definitely be hot and muggy in the summer, but almost everything is air conditioned, and the convention center especially can be chilly.
  • Lots of business cards to give to colleagues you meet, potential employers and to exhibitors for a chance to win prizes.
  • Bring cool clothes as July is usually muggy; you can always layer your sweater over your comfy clothes.

At the Conference:

Registration: Pick up your badge and conference information at the convention center (if you registered in advance, some of that is sent to you, but you still need to pick up your badge holder and conference program). Registration opens Thursday at 7:30 AM. For registration hours go to www.alaannual.org and click on Registration.

  • Wear your badge at all times when you're in the convention center.
  • Learn the layout of the convention center. This will save you time later. Also, check out what restaurants are within easy walking distance.
  • Check your conference program to see when your favorite authors will be signing books in the exhibit hall.
  • Visit YALSA's Booth in the exhibit hall to get your YALSA flair!
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