San Diego | June 27 – July 2 | #ALAAC24 | ALAANUAL.ORG
UPDATE: I vastly overestimated what spare time I would have while attending ALA, haha. Give me a few more days and I’ll post a recap instead!
The American Library Association Annual Conference is the largest library event in the world! Library professionals, publishers, authors, vendors, and more gather to discuss best practices and education, current issues and legislature, new technologies, promote books, and network.
This year’s speakers range from writers like Trevor Noah to athletes like Maggie Nichols to actors Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures and The Color Purple) and Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog).
And of course, authors we know and love. Becky Albertalli, Veronica Roth, Darcie Little Badger, and a lot more but I’m running out of time so I might update this bit later!
This is my first time attending and I wanted to take you on this journey with me. I’ll update you when I can throughout the conference, you may also wish to check out my Instagram – @anxious.librarian – for updates in my stories.
Keep in mind this will not be a “professional” live blog. While I hope to provide a little insight into the library and publishing world along the way, I primarily want to document my own experience at the ALA Conference.
June 28th, Friday – Day 1
After a nearly four-hour drive from the Coachella Valley to San Diego, I finally arrived at my hotel in the Gaslamp District, just a stone’s throw away from the San Diego Convention Center where this year’s American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition is being held.
I am so excited! This is my first professional conference. There’s this feeling like I have to experience everything! But I also realize that given the size that is going to be near impossible.
Other than the Opening General Session, I have no real plans today! It will be a good time to get familiar with the convention center, connect with some librarian friends traveling from other places, and settle into the conference. (And pick up some swag, I’m really excited about the swag!)
Fictional Wanderings 