Whistle stop sort of a day, typical SLA conference then? Started with the IEBD roundtable, a great way to just share ideas and pick each others' brains (what's left of them); I apologise to the chap who said this, I can't remember your name, but the wonderfully apt phrase for that research enquiry you get for which you know there is no data out there: "The Holy Grail Question". Had a few of those in my time: "what did the driver of the Flying Scotsman have for lunch?" etc.
I was whiling away a frivolous moment or two waiting in line for a handwriting analysis at the Dow Jones booth when I got talking to Jane Meyers about the highly impressive Lubuto Library Project setting up libraries for homeless children in Zambia. This is why we are librarians, please take a moment to look at this project, it's wonderful.
Next to a session on visual literacy, I now have an appreciation of this wonderful picture:
Winslow Homer, The Lifeline. © Philadelphia Museum of Art
Later in the day to hear Sharol Parish encourage us to Speak As If Your Career Depended On It: all about expansiveness of posture, effective use of gesture and intonation and the power of silence.... this was a fabulous session but runs counter to so much of what I, as an English person, have been brought up to do. But you know what, I feel like someone gave me a secret weapon, so I'm going to take it home to England and use it! Mwaaaahhaaaahaaaaaa, the power!!!
Up to the 35th Floor of the Sheraton for stunning views of the city in the early evening sunshine and a big thankyou to SLA Europe for sponsoring me and my three fellow students to come out here and mingle, learn and party with so many wonderful librarians. Hot foot it over to the Pacific Science Center for fun and food with Thomson Reuters then back to the Sheraton to meet the IT, Eng and SciTEch guys for drinks and then.....Greg Bear and Donna Shirley share the passion and enthusiasm for science, science fiction and libraries (natch). And Greg Bear signed my book!!!!!!!! Wahey. I may be a 34 year old woman, but the fanboy in me lives! Donna Shirley's fascinating and inspiring work to get Mars missions through to fruition and Greg Bear's erudite and personable views on all things texty - what a way to end the day. And so, I must to bed, before my head pops with the overwhelming stimuli of the day - start again tomorrow? Of course!
Comments