Monday and Tuesday in Chicago

This day started with a cutting edge presentation on Sex in YA Literature: From Blume to Block and Beyond. It was indeed informative and thought provoking. Authors Lynn Biederman and Laura Ruby used statistics and literary examples to answer the question, "How well does today's YA teen literature reflect teen reality?" The third panelist, Dr. Marty Klein, is a published author on sexuality and a licensed marriage counselor. He brought the clinical perspective to bear with pragmatic good humor.

I heard author Lisa Scottoline speak at the convention center and then shuttled to the Fairmont to hear her again at the Gala Author Tea, sponsored by ALTAFF and Reference Group. Four additional authors joined Ms. Scottoline to tell a little about themselves and their books. Yes, we had tea, and yes, we had scones, but the big highlight was receiving copies of each of their books. I received Kathryn Stockett's The Help; Jane Stanton Hitchcock's Mortal Friends; Jill McCorkle's Going Away Shoes: Stories; Gillian Flynn's Dark Places; and Lisa Scottoline's Look Again.

That evening I attended the Michael Printz Awards Program and heard Margo Lanagan accept an award for Tender Morsels, a recasting of an age old fairy tale, Snow White and Rose Red. Other honorees included Terry Pratchett, Nation; Melina Marchetta, Jellicoe Road; and M.T. Anderson, author of Octavian Nothing, Vol. II.

Tuesday was the exciting SuperTuesday, the last day that the Exhibit Hall was open...lots of free food, free books and opportunities to win good stuff...iPods, Kindles, etc. I didn't win but I got a free T shirt for showing up!

My last official event was a lovely dinner at the Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom where the newly elected ALA officers were installed. Lots of fancy dresses, a properly served multi-course dinner and some inspirational speeches were all highlights. The new president, Camilla Alire, has entitled her Presidential Initiative, "Libraries: The Heart of All Communities." She is emphasizing family literacy, teaching reading skills to adults and training future librarians, including the more mature career- changing candidates.

At every event I attended, my experience was enriched by conversations with librarians, advocates and trustees from all over the nation and occasionally from other nations across the world. What a privilege to represent Farmers Branch Manske Memorial Library!