Bookmobile

I recently saw this posting on the Unshelved Blog about a Pimp My Bookcart contest. Somehow, this must have missed my radar given the date of the posting and contest. At the ALA conference in DC, there was the annual book cart race and I assume that some of the carts in the race were all decked out.

Check out some of the designs! I have to admit they are pretty cool and it gives me some ideas of my own. More information about the contest is available here.

Lock Me Up Scotty!

I returned from the ALA conference in DC last night. Milo greeted me at the door with is big smile and wagging his tail.

I enjoyed the conference and DC a great deal. The weather was perfect and the hotel was great- with the exception of a very last minute freaky incident that brought on a slight panic attack.

I was checking out of the hotel on my way to a meeting yesterday morning and when I went to leave the hotel room, I could not get out of the room!!! For some unknown reason, the door handle would not turn to open the door. I tried and tried with no luck and called for help at the front desk. A few minutes later, the manager of the hotel showed up and took his card key to open the door and he couldn't open the door! It was not cool. He was baffled and for several minutes (which seemed forever) he tried to get the door to unlock.

I heard him call for back-up and power tools. Hearing him on the walkie-talkie only made me panic even more. I envisioned the fire department showing up and having to climb out the window onto and ladder!

Suddenly, I heard this steel crowbar prying the door open- or attempting to pry it open- with NO success. The manager was trying to be apologetic and assured me help was on the way. I was thinking the whole rescue squad was on the way at this point. Headlines- "GUEST LOCKED IN HOTEL ROOM FOR SEVERAL HOURS".

The manager was using all his power to break the door and pry the frame away from the lock. He was not having much success! We are talking steel frames here- not a wooden door.

Ten minutes went by and I was breaking a sweat. The manager finally took the crowbar and smacked the door handle on the outside so hard he broke the latch and KICKED the door open. In my usual way, I stood there and gave a slight chuckle, grabbed my bags and walked out. I was not a happy camper.

The sad thing is that I didn't make it on the news and there wasn't a picture of me climbing out the window down a firetruck ladder!

Information Overload

Prior to coming down to ALA in DC, I was speaking with several librarians who were to attend their first annual library conference. Giving my 2 cents, I gave them some tips. I tried to make it very clear that it would be overwhelming. Not only will there be so much information- in every shape or form- but there would also be about 20,000 in attendance.

Was I right? I have been here in DC since Thursday, somewhat earlier than the most. I had a few meetings and a pre-conference to attend. By Friday evening, it was obvious that librarians were taking over DC. On Saturday morning, when the exhibit floor opened, it seemed as 20,000 people mobbed the floor. The scope and size of the convention center is the equivalent to 4 football fields.

Saturday and Sunday are the main 2 days of the conference. The bulk of the programs are scheduled during these days. Unfortunately, there are so many programs of interest that it is impossible to get to see all of them. On average there are morning and afternoon sessions with scattered early morning sessions and evening sessions. In addition, there are several speaker programs that are in the evening.

After the programs, there are plenty of dinners and parties and librarians clubbing. This is a great time to network with 20,000 folks. I already ran out of business cards.

Stay tuned...

Is this for real?

I have made it down to the ALA conference in DC and I am taking a moment to post a story about the Grey's Anatomy brew haha over Isaiah Washington's comment about fellow actor- T.R. Knight. Washington was "let go" from the show because of his comments and he figures that he can let it all out. According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, more fallout has hit the press. This opens the door for controvesy soon to hit the media by storm.

I will be back with more LIVE from ALA...