AASL 2021: Salt Lake City

Welcome to our first hybrid blog post. This format was dreamed up while NSLA members got together for dinner in Salt Lake City during the conference. If you like it, please let us know!

So, what did I learn other than what I shared in the video? Tons!

• Comfy shoes are life. There will be lots of walking. Also, check the weather forecast. I didn't, and I froze. Lesson learned.
• A good conference bag is your best friend. You need ALL the space and very few things.
• Take the time to meet the authors and interact with the vendors. I came back with so many things that just made me excited about books, literacy, and our amazing profession.
• Plan ahead for dinners. Call and make reservations. Walking around unfamiliar areas may produce memories, but it does not produce delicious food on the table for a group.
• Find a good roommate who you can talk and process with. This was the most crucial part of my experience. So much information is thrown at you. My brain went numb. Having someone to process with was incredibly valuable and helped me frame what I was learning.
• I definitely want to go in 2023. First, it's in Tampa so it's warm! (See the first bullet.) Second, I have so much more to learn and try. School librarians are constantly evolving, and I can't wait to see what we do between now and the next AASL National Conference.