The New York Library Association Conference
Saratoga Springs, NY
November 2023
As I am currently graduating with my MS-ILS this winter, I was grateful for the opportunity to attend the 2023 NYLA Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. The CLRC Professional Development Award allowed me to meet other professionals in my chosen field and attend panels that were relevant to my current and possible future positions within librarianship.
ALA President Emily Drabinski kicked off the conference in a keynote discussing the issues library workers face and reminding us to see the wins along with the hardships. It was inspiring to see someone acknowledge the work that I see every day in my peers and remind us that we are not fighting battles alone but instead as a collective unit. I was also able to see Emily’s interview with New York State Librarian, Lauren Moore.
I attended many other panels that were both inspiring and fun. Friend-Raising to Revive and Rekindle Growth talked about developing and expanding Friends organizations to assist in accomplishing your library’s mission. Collaborative Publications: Many Hands Make Light Work walked us through how to create a collaborative publication with the help of partner organizations. I left the panel with several thoughts about how I could use this guidance in the future. In Elizabeth Jakubowski’s panel, Tasting History, she showed us how she structured the NYS Library social media series and gave tips on how it could be modified for other library types, as needed. I also had the opportunity to attend the PLS Luncheon with special guest Adriana Herrera.
Amy Plichta
Circulation Clerk, Utica Public Library
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