(ThyBlackMan.com) I was able to fit the bill and travel to Dallas, Texas this past week for my first experience at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Conference. I was nervous due to all of the crazy stuff that has been going on with me since the beginning of the semester. However, I knew that this was just what I needed to further acknowledge that what I am doing is what is right for my life.
I remember when I wanted to become an anthropologist; I was able to travel to Philadelphia, PA, to visit their national conference. I courted several 
universities, rounded up a couple of mentors, and was ready to enter in to the profession without looking back. After some things were revealed to me, I came to realize that being an anthropologist was not in my destiny. I sat for a year and thought about where I wanted to be in the world of academia and my career profession.
At the beginning of 2011, I was sitting at my computer and the word librarian came to my mind. I immediately started researching what librarians were all about and I was amazed. I found my niche. As I walked in to the Dallas Convention Center, I began to feel what I felt when I first started researching the field of librarianship. This time around, I had a similar image as all of my peers: They All Read Books. All of the conference attendees had their own unique styles and glasses too.
The entire conference was interactive. As I entered the conference, there was an ALA greeter who offered me the daily newspaper. Then, I was able to download my schedule at the ALA Computer Station. Starbucks was right in the middle of the literary traffic as I maneuvered through the traffic. This was too much for me.
I attended the following conference sessions including:
- Lita 201 Interest Group
- Re-Imagining the Public Library in a Post Recession Economy
- The Midwinter Conversation: Understanding Your Communities
- History Librarians Interest Group
- Midwinter Wrap-Up, featuring Lisa Loeb
Undoubtedly, the best part of the conference was the ALA Conference Exhibit. There were a lot of technological aspects in the field that I learned about and tested. In addition, I was able to get free posters, books, bags, t-shirts, and tips. I also met a lot of interesting people that I am going to stay in contact with for the duration of my career.
Lastly, I won a scholarship (the E. J. Josey Academic Scholarship) through the Black Caucus of the American Library Association for an essay I wrote during my first semester of graduate school. I was honored at the Dallas Marriott Hotel during the conference and accepted the $2000.00 award with a smile. The American Library Association’s Midwinter Conference 2012 put a stamp of approval on what I have wanted to do all along with my life.
Associate Editor; kYmberly Keeton
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