Documenting FLA Conference 2016

As part of my professional duties, I attended this year's Florida Library Association conference. This year, due to ALA's Annual taking over Orlando in June, the state group held this conference earlier (March) and in Daytona Beach.

The same week as the bikers rolled in on their Hogs for Biker Week. Well, technically they start this weekend, but you know bikers, they show up early so they can cruise A1A.

So, with all the roar and thunder, we librarians did our best to survive... And thus did I document the atrocities...

The Plaza Resort made a swan on my bed! 

The street side view of Daytona Beach. Down below
is A1A and a steady parade of motorcycle enthusiasts...

Getting ready for the opening session event

Opening Session speakers

Bartow Library's donation to the Silent Auction.
Sad to say, we had only two bidders on the basket of books.
Apparently, librarians prefer bidding on wine and chocolates.

Host county Volusia has a library system that employs
a mobile mini-library for outdoor events. A keen idea,
considering the scenery and amounts of outdoor events
at a major tourist destination...

I was told I have the best Florida tie at the conference!

At the Local Authors presentation on how libraries can
support local writers and boost local readership.

Foolish me, I forgot to bring beachwear this trip.

At the Mystery Writer's Breakfast. Sad to say, having the morning sun
come through the window darkened too much of the room. This needs editing.

Standing with Debbie and Susan for the Standards Committee meeting.
Susan is departing Chair, Debbie incoming Chair, and I'm Vice Chair.

The bandshell area near the Boardwalk.

As noted, I'm with the state's Standards committee, and we've completed a revision of Standards and Outcomes (PDF document) that we hope to deploy at volunteer "pilot" libraries to test-run those standards for real-world effectiveness. By next year, we're hoping to pass along the results to the FLA Board and begin applying these standards across the state. With hope, we can use these guidelines to convince the state legislature to improve library funding...