by Holly Boyer, former INALJ Senior Editor
Your Unofficial Guide to Socializing at ALA Midwinter Meeting 2015
Going to Chicago later this month? Great! I bet you’ve got a pretty good idea which sessions you’ll be attending. You’re going to learn so much and bring all that Midwinter energy and enthusiasm back to work with you. You are going to make amazing things happen for your library of place of work. But while you’re in Chicago, take some time to hang out and socialize.
Social events are an excellent way to meet your special tribe within libraryland. Are you interested in leadership? Social responsibility? Storytelling? Whatever it is, there’s probably some kind of social event going on at Midwinter.
The Networking Uncommons at the Convention Center is a great place to meet other people, charge your devices, and participate in impromptu sessions.
You can find Erica Findlay’s excellent #partyhard map here.
And if all else fails, come find me! I’ll be wandering around the conference center talking to strangers.
Thursday, January 29
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9pm – 12am | #ALAMW15 “All-Conference” (pre)party! | TBA |
Friday, January 30
| Time | Event | Location |
| 1:00 – 2:00pm | Leadership Council Networking Session | Sheraton Ballroom 3 |
| 3:00 – 4:00pm | IRRT Welcome Session | McCormick Place West W177 |
| 6:00 – 8:00pm | ALCTSFest | Swissotel Chicago Vevey Room |
| 7:00 – 8:00pm | ASCLA Networking and Social Event | Renaissance Blackstone Bar Lower Lounge |
| 7:00 – 9:00pm | PLA Happy Hour | Howells & Hood, 435 N. Michigan Ave. |
| 7:00 – 9:30pm | ANSS Social | Ming Hin Dim Sum, 2168 S. Archer Ave. |
Saturday, January 31
| Time | Event | Location |
| 5:30 – 7:00pm | RUSA Membership Social | Hilton Chicago Williford B |
| 5:30 – 7:00pm | ULS Social (ACRL ULS) | Elephant & Castle, 185 North Wabash Ave. |
| 5:30 – 7:30pm | NMRT Midwinter Social | Flemings, 25 East Ohio St. |
| 6:00 – 7:00pm | Presidential Candidates Reception | Hyatt Regency Chicago Columbus AB |
| 6:00 – 7:30pm | LLAMA Happy Hour | Bull and Bear, 431 N. Wells |
| 6:00 – 8:00pm | The Networking Reception ($50) | Hyatt Regency Chicago Plaza B |
| 8:00 – 10:00pm | REFORMA Noche de Cuentos | Hyatt Regency Chicago Grand D North |
Sunday, February 1
| Time | Event | Location |
| 3:00 – 4:00pm | Sustainability Round Table Social | Hyatt Regency McCormick Clark/CC 22C |
| 6:00 – 8:00pm | LITA Happy Hour | TBA check website for location |
| 6:00 – 8:00pm | GLBTRT Social | TBA |
| 8:00 – 10:00pm | BCALA Membership Meeting Reception | Hyatt Regency Chicago Columbus CD |
Monday, February 2
| Time | Event | Location |
| 6:00 – 7:30pm | ALSC and YALSA Joint Member Social | Renaissance Blackstone Crystal Ballroom |
Holly Boyer is a former INALJ Senior Editor who loves meeting new people, especially librarians! She lives in Northern Virginia and is very, very excited about the Silver Line on the DC Metro. She loves to read and knit and watch her children do amazing things on the field/mats/stage. You can learn more about her at A Girl Walks Into a Library or follow her on Twitter @hollyanneboyer.