This Midwinter’s New Members Round Table Orientation Program proved once again to be a great way for new conference-goers to get introduced to New Members Round Table, ALA, and the Midwinter meeting experience. More than 80 people got Midwinter off to a great start by attending the orientation.
Orientation attendees kicked off the event by playing New Members Round Table bingo and meeting many others new to ALA or the Midwinter meeting. The lucky librarian to shout “bingo” was rewarded with a Duncan Donuts gift card, something very handy in Boston. Then attendees were welcomed by New Members Round Table President Sally Gibson, who provided an introduction to New Members Round Table and ALA.

Midwinter Orientation-goers were then treated to tips on navigating an ALA conference by Courtney Deines-Jones, founder of the Grimalkin Group. An enthusiastic speaker, Deines-Jones showed the group how to use a conference guide to pick someone up at ALA, and she shared some of her wisdom on getting the most out of ALA conferences, advising the group to wear comfortable shoes, use the ALA post office and their free poster tubes, and say “yes” to the opportunities offered at the Midwinter meeting.

ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano also stopped by to welcome orientation attendees to the ALA Midwinter Meeting, and she gave a rousing speech on achieving your professional goals and becoming involved in ALA. Brey-Casiano was followed by Consuela Cline, a librarian at Texas Tech University, who spoke about her efforts to get involved as a new ALA member. Cline attended her first ALA conference at the 2004 Midwinter Meeting in San Diego, and she came out with three committee appointments. Cline’s advice to the group was to attend the New Members Round Table all-committee meeting and “shop around” for committees that interested them.

Amy Rosenbaum, chair of ALA’s Exhibits Round Table, was also on hand to speak to orientation attendees. Rosenbaum spoke about what to expect from the exhibits and exhibitors, and she gave some tips on getting the most out of visiting the exhibits. Rounding out the program was Jennifer Varney, a local Boston librarian, who shared with attendees her favorite Boston hang-outs. She also provided a list of reasonably-priced eateries near the convention center, and she gave the group some tips for enjoying Boston on the cheap.

With its large number of attendees and great speakers, this Midwinter’s New Members Round Table Orientation Program was a successful event, connecting new conference attendees with the information they needed to make the most of the Midwinter Meeting, as well as the information they needed to make the most out of their ALA membership.