Why did you decide to attend the conference?
Devina: I knew that it would be a great opportunity to network as a student, and I encourage other folks who are able to attend future conferences to do so. I also hope to present a poster and get involved in research in the future.
Before attending the conference, I didn’t know how others developed research questions or how far along a project needed to be to present a poster. I was thrilled to attend the iSchool networking reception, because it gave me a chance to learn from other students how they started their research process.
Yuna: I decided to attend the conference because I was interested in attending the sessions and meeting authors, illustrators and other creators!
Lindsey: I wanted to attend the conference to gain new experiences, step outside my comfort zone, and make connections with new people. This was my first ever conference, and I was really excited by the prospect of being in the same place as so many other library professionals from all over. Thanks to this conference, I got to meet people from the iSchool in person, chatted with professionals from all over the country and presented my first ever poster at the iSchool networking reception. I also wanted to get more involved with the ALA, because despite having a student membership, and being a member of the ALASC Executive Committee, I did not have much involvement beyond that.
How did you prepare for the conference?
Devina: I spent several months preparing for the conference. Starting with funding, I was able to get some funding through the iSchool for serving on the ALASC Executive Committee.
Then it was time to book my travel accommodations. Chicago is very expensive during the summer, so it took me a few weeks of searching to find the best deals. I also knew that I didn’t want to spend too much on travel when I was there, so I mapped out and noted all of the Chicago train and bus stops for the places I wanted to visit.
Each year, ALA creates a conference scheduler and posts it weeks ahead of time. I made and remade my schedule way too many times, trying to figure out what I wanted to see most. I like to have everything planned out ahead of time, so I didn’t feel so overwhelmed. Beyond that, I made sure to pack business casual attire.
Yuna: I prepared for the conference by downloading the ALA mobile app and starring all of the sessions and author signings I was interested in. The ALA mobile app was really helpful in helping me stay organized throughout the conference.
Lindsey: To prepare for the conference, I spent a lot of time using the ALA conference schedule on their website to take note of every event, panel, or presentation that interested me and created an itinerary for myself. Although my schedule was packed with activities each day, I’d say I got to do about half of what I had planned.
What was your favorite part of the conference?
Devina: My favorite part of the conference was getting to explore the beautiful city of Chicago. I was able to attend all of the sessions that I was interested in, and still had time to visit some landmarks. I got to check out a few different libraries in Chicago, such as the new library at the Obama Presidential Center.
Yuna: My favorite part of the conference was exploring the exhibit hall and meeting authors, illustrators and creators and having them sign their book!
What was your favorite panel that you attended and why?
Devina: I found myself gravitating toward panels and speakers that highlighted academic freedom and fighting censorship. My favorite was Academic Freedom and the Role of an Academic Librarian paneled by Christina Bell and Nicole A. Cook, Ph.D. This panel highlighted how academic librarians are responding to pressures in higher education from new laws, and how to safeguard academic freedom.
Yuna: My favorite panel/session that I attended was “Beyond the Book: STEAM-Focused Read Alouds and Hands-On Activities for Elementary Librarians and Teachers” presented by Maria Walther. Not only was this content something I was interested in, but Maria was an excellent presenter. She was engaging and interesting and offered a lot of resources and freebies that will be useful in the future. She wove in a demonstration of a STEAM-focused read aloud throughout her presentation which was helpful to see how what she was presenting looks in action.
Lindsey: I watched a particularly interesting presentation called “AI Information Practices of Undergraduate Students: Qualitative Evidence from Transcript Analysis and Student Experiences,” presented by Laura Costello and Michael Flierl. Through their research, they analyzed how undergraduate students are using generative AI in their schoolwork and discussed how academic librarians may shape their services with this research in mind.
What was your favorite booth that you saw?
Yuna: I enjoyed all of the booths that carried graphic novels!
Lindsey: I really enjoyed the Library of Congress booth, as a local to the DC area it was nice to chat with people from my area and had an interesting chat with them about internship opportunities. The exhibition hall as a whole surprised me as it was so large and people were handing me free books left and right, which was super cool but also overwhelming. I saw people were shipping books back home because they had so many, I managed to squeeze mine into my suitcase, but it was a tight fit.
Did you go to the Zine Pavilion?
Yuna: Yes, I briefly walked through it!
Lindsey: I did go to the Zine Pavilion, and I think it may have been my favorite booth in the exhibition hall. There were multiple crafting stations and workshops that could be joined, zine displays, and free zines that could be taken. I found myself returning to the Zine Pavillion multiple times during the conference for their workshop stations and an interesting presentation about running a zine program in your library.
Any tips for attending professional conferences?
Devina: My biggest piece of advice is to accept that it is extremely difficult and impossible to see everything you want to see. Sometimes things overlap, and sometimes you just get burnt out. Make sure to build breaks and downtime into your schedule. I made sure to plan some breaks in my schedule to go sightseeing and explore Chicago.
I also highly recommend checking out the New Members Round Table Orientation, which is typically a pre-conference event. This is a panel where some more experienced conference members give advice and recommendations. I ended up rearranging my schedule after going to the NMRT orientation.
Lastly, attend as many social and networking events as you can. They are a great way to meet new people, and they typically serve free refreshments which is a bonus. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to the person next to you before or after presentations, and while waiting in exhibition lines.
Yuna: Tips for attending: Download the ALA mobile app!
Tips for taking home the most books: If you’re traveling from afar, bring a checked luggage! It will be cheaper than shipping books back home.
Lindsey: For the ALA Conference specifically, I definitely recommend using the ALA Conference App. Through the app you could create your own schedule, access shuttle routes, a map of the convention center and the exhibition hall, all of which I relied on heavily throughout the conference.
I would also recommend selecting a hotel that is very close to the conference if possible. My hotel was a bit farther away, and although the conference provided a shuttle service, which was very useful, you will then have to factor additional travel time into your schedule.
If you attended any networking events, which ones? Did you feel that they were helpful? Did you attend the SJSU School of Information Networking Reception? If so, what was it like connecting with your fellow students in-person?
Devina: I attended the New Member Round Table (NMRT) Social because ALASC received this year’s Student Chapter of the Year Runner Up award. At the social I met the Current and previous ALASC Chairs and Vice Chairs of the University of Indiana at Bloomington. They won this year’s NMRT Student Chapter of the Year. Their executive committee told us that they looked to ALASC as a model while growing their own student chapter, which was rewarding to hear. We also passed along contacts and hope to network between groups.
I had my volunteer shift for the iSchool during the SJSU School of Information Networking reception. My shift was a lot of fun, and I had time to connect with the presenters before and after. I also met some people whose names I remembered from in class discussions.
All in all, I met so many wonderful people. Some of us in the ALASC executive committee met up for deep dish pizza at Giordanos.
Lindsey: In addition to the iSchool networking reception, I also attended the New Member Round Table Social, where Devina Martinez, Cat Tang and I received runner-up for Student Chapter of the Year on behalf of the ALASC. We also got to meet the winners from the IU Bloomington ALA Student Chapter, and discussed potential events and social media collaborations between our chapters. The New Members Round Table is for ALA members within the first few years of their membership, so it was nice to meet other people that are new to the ALA as well as many that are also in library school.I attended the SJSU School of Information Networking Reception as a poster presenter. I got to present my research where I expanded on a section of my INFO200 research paper and analyzed how the use of artificial intelligence in art libraries is impacting the information community of art historians. It was so wonderful to get the chance to present my research to fellow iSchool students, alumni and staff. I also got to walk around and talk with my fellow poster presenters and discuss their work/research as well, which was interesting and very enlightening. I also got to meet my fellow committee members, our current Chair, Devina Martinez, and our former Chair, Cat Tang, at the reception, as well as many iSchool students, staff, and alumni that I have gotten to know over the last year. Meeting my fellow students after only seeing them on a computer screen for the last year was a surreal experience and I am so grateful that I was given the chance to meet everyone in person and for the opportunity to present thanks to the travel funds provided by the iSchool that made it possible for me to attend.
