Wednesday in LA

24 hours from now I'll be home. I can't wait. I've enjoyed ALA but it is definitely time to go home. Today will be spent on a 7 hour guided tour of LA so that should be a hoot. Then it is on to LAX and an overnight trip to Newark on a full plane. I hope I can get some sleep. We get into Newark at 6 in the morning East Coast time and then I have a layover before my flight to New Hampshire. I just checked on my seats and I hadn't realized that it is a smallish turbo prop to NH. I'd rather be in a larger plane but if it gets me home, I'm all for it. Can't wait to get back on EST! But I do have a dentist appointment tomorrow. I hadn't thought too much about that when I made the reservations since the appt is on July 3 and I'm going home on July 2. Well, I won't be home til the 3rd! So I have about 2 hours from the time my plane is scheduled to land to my appt.

The one of the main ideas I'm coming home with is the issue of privacy. What is it and who has a right to it. As librarians, we try to protect our patrons privacy -- even to the point of not letting them know which books that have already read. I remember the feeling of going into the small library in Colchester Vt and looking at the book cards and seeing that B127 and knowing that I already took the book out. But it is not that simple anymore. We have tried to not collect information but that is probably not the way to go. We need to find a way to encrypt information so the patron has control over it and can use it the way they want. We don't need to have access to it but they have a right to their own data. It shouldn't be hard to do that. It is just a matter of getting the vendors to want to do it. We also need to educate our patrons about the issue and try to protect them from themselves. All over the exhibit hall, I saw people handing over their little cards to vendors for a chance to win some prize or other. What info is on those cards? And why are we so quick to surrender it just for a small chance to win a prize? OK, I admit I handed over my card several times to enter drawings. But it felt wrong somehow.

Another major theme is how to use web 2.0 tools with kids to help them become better users and producers of information. I read a summary of a session from NECC about having the kids use their cell phones in school in their education. I need to read more about that. We should be taking the kids from where they are to where we want them to be.

Lots of notes to go through but probably not on the plane tonight. I have an ARC of Let it snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle to occupy my awake moments on the way home. I'll spend tomorrow catching up with the family and sleep. But I need to look over the notes while it is still fresh!

So, hello LA today and then I bid a fond farewell to the west coast.

Tuesday at ALA -- last day

Today was the last day of ALA 2008. I went to the morning session -- a conversation with Khaled Hosseini. What a wonderful speaker. It was set up as a q and a with a moderator. Hosseini did a great job with the questions and didn't seem to shy away from any. He was a delight. I wanted to get a signed copy but when I looked at the line, I just couldn't face standing in line that long.

I finally got to spend some time in the exhibits but of course most of them were closing down. I did get to sit in on a few demos and, as usual, wanted everything I saw. If only my budget matched my imagination. I did get a few prizes though. Always like the free stuff. Does anyone know if you can change the message in the ProQuest fan?

I participated in the legislative day and sent emails to my congressmen (yes, they are all men). I got an automated response from one. Nothing from the others. They really should have an automated response. It gives some small sense of satisfaction that at least they got the email! I do have my bright red shirt now though. BTW -- I was wearing last year's "Support Libraries" shirt last week when we stopped at a rest area. A man walked by me and said he didn't want to support libraries. I guess I could have engaged in discourse but you never know if you are talking to a looney or not!

I missed Diane Carroll's closing session. I was in a demo and was actually enjoying it. I did pick up several 1/2 price books at Libraries Unlimited that I wanted but didn't want to spend a lot on. HarperCollins was selling all their stock for $1/each so I dropped some money there also. How can you pass up Fancy Nancy for $1?

Spent the afternoon at Downtown Disney. I have no idea what possessed me. I was looking for treats for the grandkids but went into way too many stores. I was good though and didn't spend a lot!!

Tonight I'll stay in to pack for the trip home tomorrow. I brought a second suitcase so will need to arrange everything into two less-than-55lbs suitcases. I should be ok but it will take a bit of finesse!

Tomorrow I have a ticket for a bus tour of LA. I just couldn't leave LA without seeing the "sites". So I booked the most touristy bus trip I could find. On the Grand Tour, I'll see Hollywood, Mann's Chinese Theatre, Walk of Fame, Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood sign, and so much more in 7 glorious hours. I just hope I don't miss my shuttle back to the airport!! My plane leaves a 9:30 and I'll be flying all night. I should be back in NH on Thursday morning. I hope!!

ALA has been fun. I've met some new people and caught up with old friends. I've been challenged and learned new things. I am tired but it was worth it. Until next year -- goodbye ALA.

Monday at ALA

The day started at the YALSA Technology for Teens poster session. This was sponsored by the committee I'm on and we were excited to see the sessions we invited. The presentations were great. Some amazing things are being done with and for teens around the country. I have lots of pictures that I will post in a few days. (I forgot to bring my camera connection for the computer!) A couple of the presentations were by the teens themselves. Way cool.

I finally got to spend some extended time at the exhibits and grabbed quite a few books. And got quite a few signed. Signings include Brian Selznick, Christopher Paul Curtis, Ellen Levine, Kadir Nelson, Geraldine McCaughrean, AM Jenkins, Roland Smith, Lauren Myracle, and Sherman Alexie. I always seem to follow someone who is very generously getting a signed book for a give away. I never give away the books. If I stand in line, the book is for me!!

I went to a program called Handmade Tales with storyteller Dianne de las Casas. She was quite entertaining. She showed us how to do some cut and tell stories as well as folding bandanas and string tales. I was not proficient in any of them. I don't think I'll be showing off that talent to the kids anytime soon.

I went to the preview showing of Journey to the Center of the Earth sponsored by Walden Media. The staff took my camera away from me on the way in and we were scanned with a metal detector. There was more security for the film than for the exhibit hall. The seats were very comfortable in the theater and I was afraid I'd fall asleep. But all the action in the film made that impossible. I don't dare tell anything about it but I will say that it is in 3D and totally not cheesy. There were a few shots aimed at maximizing the 3D effect but for the most part it was just a movie you felt you were in. Amazing feeling like you are standing next to Brendan Fraser!!! Josh Hutcherson (Bridge to Teribithia) played Brendan's nephew in the movie and he was in the theater to answer questions after the showing. What a presence he has. Only 15 years old but so self assured and poised. The teen girls in the audience were very excited. Probably how the rest of us would have felt if Brendan had benn there!!

Sunday at ALA

Started the day out as AASL Affiliates Assembly. I ducked out for a bit to attend the YALSA author coffee. This year was a bit more organized than last year. There were no gaps between authors. They should seriously consider doing away with that whistle though! If you haven't been to this, it is a little like speed dating. An author sits at your table for about 7 minutes before moving on to the next. We didn't get to talk with all the authors but seated next to me for a few minutes were John Green, Dana Reinhardt, Amanda Jenkins (she gave me a book!), Adrian Fogelin, David Levithan (he's teaming up with John Green on a new book!), Terry Trueman, Eleanor Garner, Jay Asher, and Stephanie Hemphill. What a great time it was!!

Back to Affiliate Assembly to finish the morning. I hit the exhibits a bit during the lunch time. I got to meet Susan Beth Pfeffer and gush embarrassingly. Also went to Cornelia Funke's signing and got a free copy of her new book!! Also Suzanne Collins, Tor Seidler (he's from New Hampshire!),n Coe Booth and Norton Juster. And free books for each!! I loved that Scholastic reserved the ARCs of Inkdeath to those who waited in line!

The afternoon was spent in a session on privacy. Cory Doctorow, Dan Roth (Wired) and Beth Givens (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse) presented a very interesting and paranoia evoking program on privacy -- or the lack thereof. Very good discussions about what we should allow and how we cannot go back. Our info is out there for anyone to use. Pretty scary stuff. Discussion of how people willingly give their info out in order to save money -- eg store membership cards that give you a few cents off an item. At this point, there is so much info on us that business and government has. It's just a matter of time before they figure out how to use it. Beth encouraged everyone to push for legislation to prevent the data mining. As librarians, we need to teach our patrons -- kids especially -- to guard their privacy. They have to be shown that it is worth it.

Saturday at ALA

No wireless in the hotel this morning. Boo! So I’m writing now and will post later. [Finally able to get on but boy do I hate it when I have to wait.]

Saturday at ALA was full of interesting people and events. I started the morning at a program on graphic novels and popular culture books for reluctant readers. The speakers were Holly Black, Barry Lyga and Kazu Kibuishi. Two other authors couldn’t make it. It was a great panel discussion with lots of give and take. Interesting discussion on genre blending in YA. The panel thinks that we will see more of that in YA but it wouldn’t work in adult fiction.

I then went to All Committee to meet up with the YALSA Tech for YA committee. Our program is on Monday morning -- a poster session on best practices. I can’t wait. Then we discussed our program for the 2009 conference. I think we pretty much have it fleshed out. We just have to find speakers!

Got to the exhibits a bit after noon time. It turns out you can have a rolling bag if you ask. So now my bag has a cute little pink tag and no one hassles me! By the time I got there, there were very few ARCs left. Pretty disappointing. I did talk to a couple of vendors who took pity on me and brought out the stash for me. I just can’t get to the exhibits before noon any day.

I got into the science fiction program in the afternoon. Vernor Vinge, Brandon Sanderson, Eric Flint and Cory Doctorow. Very interesting discussion on copyright issues. Also how fantasy and science fiction are similar and have similar aims. Cory was amazing. We were all hanging on his every word. Fortunately I have read Little Brother. TOR gave us free copies of the books and we were able to get them signed afterwards.

I then went to Disney for the ProQuest event. I am not too big on theme parks like that but I certainly couldn’t come to Anaheim and not go. It was fun. The fireworks were amazing. And everything ran like clockwork. The ProQuest people know how to get us where we need to go. Came back to the hotel exhausted and reading to sleep. Another long day on Sunday awaits.

Friday at ALA

Friday at ALA was a busy day for this jet lagged woman. The morning was spent at Doug Johnson's Eating Elephant 2.0. He really is a good speaker. He went over several web 2.0 applications. I have used most of them and heard of others. But the real juice for me was the sharing portion. We were able to interact with the other participants and hear their stories and concerns. I got a lot out of those discussions. Some points I had not thought of since I have not encountered them. We also talked about ethical considerations and concerns. This part is usually left out in the workshops I've attended before. Good stuff.

I went to YALSA's Turn Teens onto Reading workshop in the afternoon. I finally got to meet Joni Bodart. What a thrill. She shared a couple of booktalks with us. Wow, from the pro!! Walter Mayes was on the panel and it was great catching up with him again. He did an awesome presentation about what booktalking is like in a middle school. So true!! The other presenters were great as well. I finally got to see one of the digital picture frames in action. Cool stuff. I doubt I'll ever get one for my library but what you can do with it is awesome!

Ran into Linda Braun between sessions and said a quick hello. We got to talk about some interesting stuff. And then she videotapped me for her Simmons class. Just a quick video. She is doing some quick interviews for her class. Boy do I wish I had brought my Flip. I can't believe I forgot it. Should I run out and buy another?

Last night was AASL Affiliate Assembly. We mainly worked on fine tuning action plans to be voted on during Sunday's meeting. The east coast crowd was fading fast (especially me) but we got the work done.

Today I start out with a workshop on collaboration. I am then going to All Committee for the YALSA Tech meeting. Then off to the vendors. I haven't decided what to attend this afternoon but I am definitely going to the Disney bash tonight. If I can stay awake long enough!!

Arrived in Anahem

That was one long plane ride. Next time I think I'll take a plane that stops along the way. Five and a half hours -- not counting all the time on the ground waiting to take off -- was a bit much. I took a pass on the inflight movies. Nothing I wanted to see. Going back I just might buy those headphones though. It's Spiderwick!! I had planned to read the whole way anyway. But I was sitting next to a couple of chatty teen girls who kept me from concentrating on my book. Their conversation ran the gambit from typical teen talk -- music, boys, etc. -- to the origins of World War I. They also discussed science and debated the most important invention of the 21st century. From what I could tell with my eavesdropping, they were sisters --probably one finishing her first year of college and the other going into her senior year of high school. Now if I were an author and put two teens of a long plane ride, I doubt that I would have them discussing historical events.

I did finish my book though. Sucks to Be Me by Kimberly Pauley. She's doing a reading at ALA so I'll get a chance to read her. I liked the book and know that teens will as well. It examines the age old question "what will I be when I grow up." Of course, this is a bit different as the teen has to decide if she will become a vampire or not.

Tried to record a podcast last night with no luck. I have my junker travel laptop with me so I don't know if it is the computer or the mic I brought. I should have tested it before I left. I had to totally reformat the harddrive on this laptop after it crashed in a hotel room in DC so I thought everything would be fine. I'll play with it some more and see. I don't want to go out and buy a new mic if that isn't the problem.

I'm off to two half day preconferences today and then have the Affiliate Assembly meeting tonight. Hope I can make it. I may have to come back a grab a nap before assembly. I'm still on east coast time!