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it's like Brigadoon for librarians!
So, I saw that on one of ALA's twitter accounts for annual and not only did it CRACK ME UP but I couldn't help but think how accurate it was.
Brigadoon, naturally, being a reference to the 1950s musical about a magical Scottish town that appears for one night every century. Annual lasts longer than one night and comes around more often than a century, but the connotations and implications are right on.
And it's just the kind of nerdy jokes librarians love.
Which is, in itself, one of the best parts of Annual.
Annual is shorthand for the American Library Association's annual conference, or, THE BIG ONE. Every summer, over 25,000 people (the vast majority being library workers) and almost 1,000 exhibitors get together and spend many days talking about the future of the profession, handing out awards. networking, and basically just having endless good library times of every sort you can imagine. And, believe me, many more you cannot.
Children's book authors become rock stars!
Advance reader copies of books become more precious than gold!
Totebags are free and plentiful!
And, best of all, pretty much everyone speaks your language. Yes, even the people who have very little in common with you, say, academic cataloging librarians from Harvard, even they "know" what it's all about, even they are there in one big giant geek-gasm of ... well, what we do and why it matters and how we ended up there, in many different ways that are somehow very similar.
This is my third year attending annual.
My first was in New Orleans, with almost all the library girls. It was overwhelming and inspiring. I was still a student, but I came away from ALA more convinced than ever that I was doing the right thing for my life.
Perhaps most famously, I totally, totally lost my shit when I met Neil Gaiman.
Neil Gaiman: And who am I signing this book for?
Me: Duuuuuh. (internally: Neil. No, wait, Neil is HIS name. What is YOUR name?!! Say a name! Say any name! An 'A' name. Your name is an 'A' name!!) ANGIE!
Neil Gaiman: OK then, Angie. (signs book)
Me: (internally: tell him how much his work has meant to you, how Sandman was there for you in a very lonely time in your life, how glad you are he's writing children's books, how you appreciate his support of libraries! SAY IT! ) I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M MEETING YOU.
Neil Gaiman: And I can't believe I'm meeting *you.*
AND THEN I DIED.
My second was last year, in Anaheim, California. Only Erin was there, but we had an amazing time anyway. As a professional, it was an entirely different experience, but fun in its own way.
There's just something about Annual. It's not like a "serious" academic conference, because there's so much fun and so much experience based practical workshops and there's also rock shows and poster sessions and a chance to pose for pictures with Clifford the Big Red Dog. It's a giant pastiche, a family reunion of "people like us." You run into people you know, you get all these crazy ideas from libraries all over the country, you get to network, you are with "your people" ... and it's all so much fun, so much exhausting, library, book fun!
And before any of THAT starts, Elliot and I will be having vacation fun times! Yup, Elliot is coming with me this year, and you KNOW that means the adventures will just be BETTER THAN EVER. (in a city I've never been to before, w00t x 10!) And even when ALA isn't in session, we will be.
Assuming I survive the part with my duties and responsibilities and all that official stuff, I am going to enjoy this most special time in the most special way, learning more, thinking back to that first year, sweating in New Orleans and knowing with 100% clarity that I had come home to my tribe.
Erin and I will goof it up. I will connect with librarians I've met before and we'll brainstorm over margaritas and laugh about our bosses. I'll meet all new people and gossip about YA literature.
I couldn't ask for more. I can't wait to see if I can remember my name when Neil Gaiman asks this year, and I can't wait to see what brand new adventures I have this time around.
It's Brigadoon, you see, and I've got to dance while I can.
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| | Posted 7/7/2009 12:33 AM - 37 Views - 6 eProps - 4 comments
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