Greetings from Helena - site of the 2007 Montana Library Association conference

I just got out of the author lunch with Neil Gaiman which followed his morning talk on intellectual freedom. I have to say after all the hype I was a little worried about what kind of speaker he would be. You know the thing, famous author, writes well, not such a good speaker. Well, he was great. He told us a great story about being accused of selling out by posting his own short stories on his personal website and was called a "pixel stained techno peasant wretch." So funny, very intelligent, speaking from no notes, did an outstanding job. During the author lunch he spoke about himself as a reader turned writer. He described his attitude in regard to his life's goals at the age of 15 as "arrogance untempered by knowledge." They made a gift to him of the Book Babes calendar which, after a comment about a perfume developed based on a character in one of his books smelling like sexy librarians, was an appropriate choice. For all of those that weren't able to come, if you ever have the opportunity again, take it!!!!!
Among other good news he gave us was the news about his upcoming films. http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/films/ Be sure to stay tuned on those.
I'll be interested to see if his remarks in his blog about meeting and speaking to us will be as interesting as our blogs on him. http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/ ... and ... OMG he just walked past me on his way in to his afternoon talk. They're going to love it. I'm hearing uproarious laughter, he must be in and speaking.
Hope you're having a great day.

Greetings from Helena - site of the 2007 Montana Library Association conference

Things are beginning to wind down here. The exhibitors have packed up and moved their tables of goodies out. They've treated us all very well and were, as always, a welcome addition to the conference. We are looking forward to the membership dinner tonight and the presentations by Neil Gaiman tomorrow. There are still tickets available if you want to jump in your car tomorrow morning for a day in Helena with a public lecture and book signing at 2:30 p.m. at the Red Lion by Mr. Sandman himself. This will most likely be a once in a lifetime opportunity and you can be sure is worth the $20 ticket.
I went to numerous sessions today, all excellent. Tomorrow morning I'll be going to a session on graphic novels (fat comic books) that will be led by the YA librarian from Miles City who came to the Cates Scholarship party last night dressed as Death from Sandman. Silly me, I thought she was just Goth. She is really a scream and I'm looking forward to her talk.
It's all be fun, educational, exhausting, and great. Looking forward to coming home and sleeping in my own bed.

Greetings from Helena - site of the 2007 Montana Library Association conference

Yesterday's MLA board meeting had several high spots, reports on the legislature, highlights from the conference planners, etc. I think that the two most exciting moments were when we entered the room to sit at our places and found there our very own Nancy Pearl (she's a librarian) action figure dolls as gifts from the outgoing MLA president and when we got to preview the Book Babes of Montana calendar featuring librarians from around the state, male and female, that will be going on sale today. One of our group bought 15 of the calendars as Christmas gifts right off the bat. They are amazing, well done, and are truly a unique item. This morning all of the models for the calendar will be available for signing calendars at the official unveiling.
Today I am looking forward to the new member breakfast first thing, not the only reason I'm up so early, and the genealogy workshop later today. Tonight I will attend my first ever Cates Trivia event. Our director says I have to be on the trivia team for our library. I hope my brain cooperates.
Still having fun in Helena! No, really I am!

Greetings from Helena - site of the 2007 Montana Library Association conference

Our carload has arrived and we've checked into our rooms. Since we were all starving the first thing we did was find some dinner. Next on the agenda, now that our workday is over, is to hit the hot tub for some, definitely get into some more comfortable clothes for all, and relax for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow morning, bright and early, will be a great presentation on Bringing boys and books together that several of our staff will be attending. I, on the other hand, will be sitting in my room reading reports in preparation for the MLA board meeting that will begin tomorrow just after lunch. There are three members of the staff that are either on the board or on its advisory council. It's all interesting stuff and whether educational, like to workshop, or more administrative, like the board meetings, it all helps us do our jobs better on one level or another.
I've brought along one of the library cameras so hope to have a picture or two for you over the week.