2010 TLA Conference Reporting

In just one day I've experienced the generosity and attitude of service that comes from librarians. As a roving reporter I've been interviewing librarians from all over the state during the 2010 TLA Annual Conference. I find so many good stories about how we learn from one another and how valuable sharing information, principles, values, and hopes is for our profession. That's share-enity in a nutshell.

I only have time for two more days of the conference before my library calls me back but it is a great experience to mingle and network with people who really care about the instruction and service they provide for their patrons and communities. Maureen Sullivan, leader extraordinaire, challenged us to "lead from wherever you are". Those of us new to this profession have a real chance to put this into practice from positions that are not overtly leadership positions. This is exactly where we want to be!

A TLA Riff in 1-2-3-4 . . .

As a new member of the Texas Library Association and a fresh attendee at this year's 2010 Annual Conference in San Antonio, I'm hoping to learn a few riffs from my fellow library professionals. Like jazz musicians and other some such music cats, picking up on a riff here or there is as much a part of the learning and participation process as any formal, academic training. Having done a master's in music and also about to complete my graduate LIS degree, I am well aware of the limitations of theoretical knowledge and the importance of showing up and learning directly from my colleagues. This week I'm hoping to hear what themes, motifs, riffs, and rhythms are currently working for library professionals in a chaotic universe of information, technology, social media, and tough economic times. Although I currently work for the San Antonio Public Library, I will be looking for working themes at academic, special, and school libraries. Suffice it to say that, as attendees share their success and challenges with one another about their work, greater levels of value and experience will arise for users of libraries all over the state. The rhythm and blues of library work, like other institutions that serve our collective education, growth, and leisure, keeps rollin' and I hope to learn a few riffs to take back to my library and create a little share-enity music for everyone.