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Going to ALA Midwinter 2010

   January 7th, 2010

Hey, ALA Midwinter 2010 is in Boston this month. Being so close, I can hardly pass up going, especially since I have a free pass to the exhibit hall courtesy of LYRASIS (steps for getting your own free pass below).

I went the last time it was in Boston, and was slightly underwhelmed. It's definitely more of a business meeting for the various ALA committees, which I didn't expect. But this year there are some vendors I want to talk to, librarians to meet, and LibraryThing is also planning an event. Please say hi if you see me.

If you're not going, the hashtag for Midwinter 2010 is #alamw10 - look for it around the interwebs (twitter, flickr, flickr group).

And here's the scoop on the free passes: my library is a part of MVLC which is part of NMRLS which is a part of LYRASIS. If you're also somehow covered under their umbrella, here's how to get your free pass:

  1. Go to http://registration.experient-inc.com/ShowALA101/DefaultExhGuest.aspx?CompanyId=2160
  2. You will be brought to the Midwinter website. Note the Exhibits times. Click "Next."
  3. Fill in your contact information. Click "Next."
  4. Click "Member" and complete your demographics information. Click "Next."
  5. Leave "Your Events" empty. Click "Next."
  6. Review your "Registration Summary." Click "Next."
  7. You're done! You will have a confirmation number; your total will be $0.00. Print your confirmation.

Oh yeah, and exhibit dates/times are below, with the story on the ALA page:

Friday, Jan 15: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Saturday, Jan 16: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, Jan 17: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Monday, Jan 18: 9:00am - 2:00pm




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3 Responses to “Going to ALA Midwinter 2010”

  1. jessamyn Says:

    Interesting. There may in fact be a chance I’ll be in the Boston area. So if I print this out I can get into the exhibit hall even without being an ALA member, if I’m a lyrasis member? Hmmmmmm…..

  2. Brian Herzog Says:

    From what I understand, yes. I did mine awhile ago but still haven’t gotten the official ID in the mail, so I’m just going to walk up with my printout and see what happens. If you end up going, let me know.

    Also, because we’re talking about inclusion and membership, I shall quote one of my favorite Too Much Joy songs, Secret Handshake:

    Gimme ten grand or two tens
    I’ll spend it all on my friends
    Babe my secret handshake is my song

  3. Rich Says:

    Hi guys

    LibraryThing has free passes to the ALA Midwinter exhibit hall:

    http://www.librarything.com/thingology/2010/01/ala-midwinterfree-exhibit-passes.php

    Also they are holding a LibraryThing party on Saturday, January 16 at the Green Dragon Tavern in Boston between 5:30 pm-9 pm:

    http://www.librarything.com/blog/

    Cheers