Published: July 25, 2024 by Ava Jones

I had the opportunity to attend the 2024 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, California, thanks to a generous travel grant from the iSchool. I had never attended a professional conference before, and attending this conference allowed me to feel more connected to the field of librarianship. It helped me build connections with the other students at the iSchool. It helped me learn more about AI and other current topics in the field and helped develop my professional confidence.

When I first arrived at the conference, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer amount of programming available. However, once I realized I was not alone and should take advantage of this opportunity to build connections with others, I immediately began to feel comfortable. I decided to attend programming related to current topics, such as AI, as my technological awareness is limited. I wanted to learn more about the concrete applications of AI.

On the first full day, I attended a program about Designing Libraries for the Future. I was amazed by how thoughtful every detail about designing a public library was and how flexible library spaces need to be. It helped confirm my idea that librarians love the communities they work with and that libraries need to work for the patrons. Later on, I attended a program about using AI for designing book talks in a school library setting, and it was fascinating to see how school librarians can use AI to assist in their programming.

When I arrived to set up for the iSchool reception, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to network with other iSchool students in a small setting. I am very introverted. Having the opportunity to work with other students in setting up the reception helped me realize how much I had in common with other students. I even met someone who had graduated from my undergraduate university and majored in sociology, which I had majored in. Because ALA Annual is such a significant event, it was amazing to find someone who had such a similar experience to me.

Overall, as an introvert, attending ALA Annual was completely worth it. This conference allowed me to build my confidence in my professional life by allowing me to develop my knowledge of current topics. Additionally, my attendance helped me realize that things that initially seem overwhelming do not have to remain overwhelming and that opportunities should be taken advantage of when they arrive. As a shy person, I appreciated the opportunity to network with other librarians and students at the iSchool.

Editor’s Note: The SJSU iSchool highly encourages students to attend professional conferences but also realizes that it can be cost prohibitive. Travel grants are available to eligible students to help lessen the financial burden and increase conference participation. iSchool student Ava Jones received one of these travel grants.