There are so many wonderful things that come along with attending Annual. Amazing and innovative sessions; the exhibit hall . . . the accompanying blisters, and of course the people. Librarians from all corners of the profession come together to talk, share, laugh, and sometimes get a little silly. (I’m looking at you, J. P. Porcaro.)
One of the common conversational threads this year has been money: Not having enough, needing to justify expenditures, and furloughs and layoffs all seem to bubble up to the top of the most casual of hellos.
But what should be troubling and saddening has instead been inspirational. We are librarians. We breathe information. Our colleagues are not venting frustrations but sharing answers with their peers or seeking solutions to their situations from those who can help. Some people are doing both.
Here’s my advice to any librarians who may be discouraged: Draw strength from your peers and know that we have and are creating solutions. So stand strong and let loose your librarian yawp over the roofs of the world.
BRIAN MAYER is gaming and library tech specialist at the Genesee Valley (N.Y.) Educational Partnership.
