Okay, everyone, to the tune of “Do Your Ears Hang Low?”:
At the end of a conference,
Do you find you’re not quite through?
Do you want to make more friends,
And bounce ideas off someone new?
Have you used up your per diem
Or your energy to schmooze,
But just aren’t quite through
Then try ending your next conference,
In Las Vegas or before,
With a session that allows you to
Do all of this and more.
Have informal conversations
On the topics that you choose
Without sitting on the floor.*
In Chicago, 30 campers came
With much wisdom to share.
With four topics at four tables,
They played musical chairs:
Social media, community
Engagement, mentorship,
Multicultural affairs. (Whew!)
More than one of the attendees
Asked to have Camp every day.
It’s a place to network that’s not a
Dark bar or cramped café;
It’s a chance to process new ideas,
Ask questions, and reflect;
It’s a time for play.**
*Library Camp resembles an unconference, but the ALA Annual Unconference on Friday, June 29 was standing-room only.
**But no one will make you sing camp songs unless you really want to.
BRITA ZITIN is participating in the ALA Student-to-Staff program.