What happens when thousands of librarians from around the country converge on a city for the annual convention of the American Library Association? Let’s just say they give meaning to the saying “All hell breaks loose!”
“Let’s face it,” said Anne Ewell-Lee, the Lead Global Integration Response Facilitator for the ALA, “librarians work in cubicles and quiet spaces all year long. They shush and hush others. They quell commotion, straighten shelves, and order and arrange things. Let them loose in a city with bars and restaurants flashing neon ‘OPEN’ signs, and it’s like a children’s free-for-all at a Toys-R-Us.”
This year’s conference and exhibition is in Orlando, and the theme is “Let’s Get Goofy In The Stacks!”
“It’ll be a fun environment for librarians to meet other librarians,” said Anita Mann, the Cross-Media Algorithm and Design Specialist for “DateDue,” the soon-to-be released dating app exclusively for librarians. “We are, after all,” added Mann, “Kinsman of the Shelf,” referring to a line in Emmett Lee Dickinson’s poem “Away from books – so good to turn.”
Dickinson’s poem (below on the left) is unofficially known as the “librarians’ anthem,” and throngs of librarians recite it in unison at the opening of every ALA conference. Dickinson’s poem also inspired his third cousin Emily to pen her poem “Unto my books – so good to turn” (below on the right).
“Let’s face it,” said Anne Ewell-Lee, the Lead Global Integration Response Facilitator for the ALA, “librarians work in cubicles and quiet spaces all year long. They shush and hush others. They quell commotion, straighten shelves, and order and arrange things. Let them loose in a city with bars and restaurants flashing neon ‘OPEN’ signs, and it’s like a children’s free-for-all at a Toys-R-Us.”
This year’s conference and exhibition is in Orlando, and the theme is “Let’s Get Goofy In The Stacks!”
“It’ll be a fun environment for librarians to meet other librarians,” said Anita Mann, the Cross-Media Algorithm and Design Specialist for “DateDue,” the soon-to-be released dating app exclusively for librarians. “We are, after all,” added Mann, “Kinsman of the Shelf,” referring to a line in Emmett Lee Dickinson’s poem “Away from books – so good to turn.”
Dickinson’s poem (below on the left) is unofficially known as the “librarians’ anthem,” and throngs of librarians recite it in unison at the opening of every ALA conference. Dickinson’s poem also inspired his third cousin Emily to pen her poem “Unto my books – so good to turn” (below on the right).
| By Emmett Lee Dickinson: Away from Books – so good to turn – And endless tired Days – Now wholly lose my Abstinence – And Joy – is found – in Waves – As Daq’iris –greet Enlivened Guests With Banquettings to come – So Spices – stimulate the drinks Of all Librarians – It may be Wild times – within -- The city where we Meet – Our Holiday – includes the night – And with it Bells – no sleep – I think these Kinsmen of the Shelf – Their Inhibitions Freed Hammered – in Perspective And satisfied – indeed – | By Emily Dickinson: Unto my Books – so good to turn – Far ends of tired Days – It half endears the Abstinence – And Pain – is missed – in Praise – As Flavors – cheer Retarded Guests With Banquettings to be – So Spices – stimulate the time Till my small Library – It may be Wilderness – without – Far feet of failing Men – But Holiday – excludes the night – And it is Bells – within – I thank these Kinsmen of the Shelf – Their Countenances Kid Enamor – in Prospective – And satisfy – obtained – |
For more information on the ALA and coverage of past conferences, click HERE.
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