{"id":23753,"date":"2015-06-22T09:47:14","date_gmt":"2015-06-22T14:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=23753"},"modified":"2015-06-22T09:56:18","modified_gmt":"2015-06-22T14:56:18","slug":"making-the-case-to-attend-ala-annual-conferenceto-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=23753","title":{"rendered":"Making the Case to Attend ALA Annual Conference\u2026to Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Sara Dixon,\u00a0former\u00a0Head Editor, INALJ Kansas<\/a>
\n<\/a>previously published 5\/21\/13 & 6\/16\/14<\/em><\/p>\n

Making the Case to Attend ALA Annual Conference\u2026to Yourself<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"sarad3\"<\/a>If you are like me, you have been weighing the pros and cons of attending the ALA Annual Conference.\u00a0 ALA says, \u201cExpand your network. Build your knowledge. Improve your profession.\u201d\u00a0 Why, yes, ALA, I would like to do all those things.\u00a0 Maybe you\u2019ve read some articles and opinions, such as \u201cMaking Your Case to Attend<\/a>\u201d for those who are providing justification to their library, or \u201cCareer Management Tip: Plan to Attend a Conference<\/a>\u201d by INALJ\u2019s own Alberta Editor Christina Wilson.\u00a0 Maybe your interest was piqued when you saw that some of the speakers include famous authors and librarians.\u00a0 Maybe you want the opportunity to network with colleagues and peers.\u00a0 Any of these sound familiar?<\/p>\n

But does all that justify the costs associated with traveling to Chicago (update: or Las Vegas) for the ALA Annual Conference?\u00a0 Should you go ahead and pay for conference registration, membership dues, hotel, and airfare\/gas\/rental car?\u00a0 Will you really be able to benefit from attending the conference?<\/p>\n

Only you can make that determination.\u00a0<\/strong> Look at whether the costs justify the outcomes.\u00a0 For me, the answer is Yes!\u00a0 And I\u2019ll tell you why.\u00a0 I have been out of library school and on the job market for 2 years now.\u00a0 I do not work for a library at the moment, so while volunteering for a public library builds skills, the ALA Conference will help me stay current on new technologies and the latest on library research.\u00a0 I can network with colleagues and information professionals.\u00a0 I can meet with career counselors at the ALA Job Placement Center.\u00a0 For me, the potential benefits outweigh the cost.\u00a0 And the cost was the only con I had to contend with.<\/p>\n

So if you decide to go, check out some of the resources listed below.\u00a0 And look for me!\u00a0 I can\u2019t wait to learn about new products and programs, to gain ideas and insights, to gather tips for the job market, and, of course, meet new people!<\/p>\n

Conference Tips and Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n