Published: November 6, 2024 by Shannon Broden

The California Library Association conference in Pasadena, California, emphasized the idea of the need for those in the library profession to take care of themselves, in order to take care of the institutions they are entrusted with, as well as the patrons that interact with them. This led to a different look and feel than some conferences have had. Besides the more traditional panels, offerings also included items, such as a room for yoga and meditation that attendees could drop into as needed.

Thursday offered three hour long “super-sessions,” a set in the morning and a set in the afternoon. The morning session I attended was called “TechEase: Navigating Wellness in the Digital Age” and organized by San José State University. It opened with Loida Garcia-Febo – who advises as a wellness ambassador to San José State University’s iSchool – discussing strategies to balance personal health with the pervasion of technology in our everyday lives.

After an interlude to see some of the technology currently available at the iSchool, several students with the Library Technology Institute gave presentations on various ways to use technology to monitor and improve health, such as through meditation or virtual world environments. After lunch, I went to portions of several afternoon sessions to get a cross-section of their themes, such as sensitivity for patrons with various issues, as well as a session on discovering who one’s personal advocates are on your professional journey.

On Friday, the sessions began at 8 a.m., and the first one I attended was focused on the Archives at Risk Committee of the organization L.A. as Subject, which discussed the services this organization offers small and medium sized archives that may have long-term issues planning for collection preservation. After a breakfast break, the next panel I attended focused on content creation at the library and how to build kids for checkout; this particular event was standing room only. Next, I listened to a panel about balancing professional commitments in technical services, moderated by iSchool alumni Natalie Moller.

After this, I made my way several blocks away to the venue where the iSchool reception would be held that afternoon; there, I assisted with the setup so myself and others could present posters later in the day. I had the opportunity to present my own poster, as well as appeared with Cat Tang (another member of the 2023-2024 Executive Committee for ALASC) for an encore showing of our poster that appeared at the national exhibit for the American Library Association convention for anyone who may have missed it.

Friday evening ended on a high note as I headed back to the Conference for the Gala event, recognizing leaders from throughout the California Library Association. Among these awards are ones given by the Interest Groups of the Association, based on nominations provided by individuals or others. It is important to note that an Interest Group can choose not to give an award in any given year. This year, the Technology Interest Group selected me to receive the Technology New Leader Award for 2024. This is based on my work being involved in student organizations and in virtual worlds.

I was given the opportunity to speak after being given the award. Though I was given the award for Technology, I am very much aware of my interest and love in media and libraries and how all of that came together to forge the path I am on today. As I head forward on the next stage of my career journey, I look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.

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 Shannon Broden received one of these travel grants.