ALA Midwinter Medley/Wrap-Up

I've been home from ALA Midwinter for days now, yet it seems like the whole experience just hasn't sunk in. Perhaps it hasn't. It was a flurry of activities and people and happenings, and I suppose I'm having trouble categorizing all of it. That's why I have this blog.

My attendance at Midwinter was -- and I'm not exaggerating-- a life-changing experience. I was around fellow book people, and their passion inspired me. My time there also helped me reshape some career goals.

I attended the Youth Media Awards on the last day. Here was my view.

There was a lot if excitement and even though I'd attended Midwinter last year in Dallas, this was even more special. My students & I had read many of the books together, and we knew exactly how good they all were.

Things turned out well. Especially for a friend of mine named Ivan. (See previous post.)

Here I am after the announcements, which to me had the feel of the Academy Awards.

It was a little hard to leave the room. My #nerdybookclub friends and I walked together, sharing our joy about Ivan. ( See previous post.) We made our way to the exhibit hall and luckily we were there when THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN got his
sticker:

But there were other things about my trip to Seattle that were special and fun.

I found these beautiful tulips at the Public Market. Aren't the colors amazing?

And at one of the fish markets, I found this funny sign that welcome ALA visitors. I had to take a picture of it.

 

 

I will also never forget the people I met. Here I am with Nancy Pearl, "rock star" librarian and contributor to the book world. It was a special moment for this library school student! She was very kind and talked with our group for a while about her work.

 

I have more photos and memories to share, and like a future librarian, I will have to find ways to catalog them all.

 

In the meantime, I will treasure them in my mind and heart.

 

Thank you to all the people in Seattle who were so kind to me.