ALA 2010 National Conference Meetup

May 12, 2010 6:44 AM

Mefite librarians! It is looking very likely that I, your friendly neighborhood graphic novel (etc.) editor, will be on a panel at the ALA conference in DC this summer. What say we meet up?

The panel I'll be on (with several other editors of graphic novels) will be Monday afternoon, June 28 (which also happens to be my birthday). I would love to meet up with any mefites who are at ALA later that afternoon or evening. (And I'll post more specifics about the panel—time, location, etc.—as I know them.)

This will be my first time at ALA. I'm really excited!

posted by ocherdraco to MetaFilter Gatherings at 6:44 AM (90 comments total)

I'm not a librarian, nor will I be attending ALA. But I work in a pretty neat library in DC. Can I come to the meetup? Please?
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:38 AM on May 12, 2010

I'm not a librarian, nor will I be attending ALA, nor do I work in a library. But I do like graphic novels and that libraries seem pretty committed to sticking them, and so I salute you!

Also ISBN-10: 1905437994 - just sayin'.
posted by Artw at 8:02 AM on May 12, 2010

Really, is everywhere in the US as incredible for GNs in libraries as Seattle? Because Seattle is fantastic.
posted by Artw at 8:03 AM on May 12, 2010

Though I am not a librarian, I would also like to go to be considered for attendance. I really *like* libraries, if that helps....
posted by anotherpanacea at 8:36 AM on May 12, 2010

The meetup doesn't have to be at the conference itself, and in fact probably should be somewhere else but nearby so any mefite can come. The conference will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, which seems to be totally massive, covering three blocks bounded by Mt. Vernon Place on the South, N Street on the North, 7th Street on the East, and 9th Street on the West. Anyone know someplace good near there?

MrMoonPie, I am very much looking forward to meeting the man who has made so many marriages this spring!

Artw, I will totally check that out.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:47 AM on May 12, 2010

I will be a librarian on Sunday, and will be at ALA - count me in!!!
posted by amicamentis at 8:57 AM on May 12, 2010

I'm not a librarian, and don't work in a library, and rarely get to the library anymore, but I once spent an entire summer sitting on the floor of a bookmobile parked outside a butcher shop in rural PA while my mom volunteered.

Er, I mean, yeah...I'd be interested in a meetup.
posted by JoanArkham at 8:59 AM on May 12, 2010

As a librarian enmeshed in ALA goings on, I should be there. I will have a meeting at 7:30pm on Monday, so something dinner-ish would be best for me.
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:04 AM on May 12, 2010

I'm not a librarian, nor will I be attending ALA, nor do I work in a library, nor have I ever learned to read or write. The only thing I learned how to type is this full statement explaining myself.


I do live in DC, though, so will watch this thread.
posted by inigo2 at 9:16 AM on May 12, 2010

Quick thoughts for location: Rocket Bar (fun, but I don't think they have food, if folks are wanting dinner), Fado (faux Irish, and a chain, but not bad as chain faux-Irish pubs go), Capitol City Brewing Co (haven't been, but I've been meaning to try it).
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:35 AM on May 12, 2010

I like librarians. Librarians do not find long discussion of controlled vocabularies as applied to keywording boring as a pub conversation topic. This is good.
posted by Artw at 9:37 AM on May 12, 2010 [2 favorites]

Correct, no food served at Rocket Bar, but you can bring food in. They have lots of games, plus it's a pretty big place.

Cap City is decent; pretzels are tasty. Not sure how well it'd work for a big group.
posted by inigo2 at 9:38 AM on May 12, 2010

Not a librarian, but I love libraries and graphic novels and would love to come!

Location suggestion: The Passenger. It's right across the street from the Convention Center, serves great snacky food (think bangers and mash on a bun and kimchi hot dogs), amazing drinks and shouldn't be terribly busy early in the evening on a Monday, so we could grab a bunch of tables or one of the big booths. (It's my local when I'm in DC, so I might be a little biased. But the guys who own it are awesome and super accommodating to groups.)
posted by youcancallmeal at 9:46 AM on May 12, 2010

The Passenger sounds good to me.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:50 AM on May 12, 2010

It looks like the closest Metro stop is Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center Station, which has service for the green line and the yellow line.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:55 AM on May 12, 2010

FWIW, if we decide on The Passenger, I'll give them a call Sunday to let them know a group is coming with an approximate number to make things easier.
posted by youcancallmeal at 9:57 AM on May 12, 2010

Been wanting to try The Passenger, heard lots of good stuff about it. Is it big enough though?
posted by JoanArkham at 10:44 AM on May 12, 2010

I'll totally be at ALA and a meetup Monday night should work for me--ocherdraco, I'll try and come to your panel, I love stuff on libraries and graphic novels!
posted by leesh at 11:09 AM on May 12, 2010

I don't know if I can make the meetup but I will definitely attend your panel! Congratulations and good luck!
posted by blucevalo at 11:35 AM on May 12, 2010

JoanArkham - Yeah, I think so. I've been there with groups of about ten and I've seen groups of about twenty there without a problem. I think since it's a weeknight, if we give them a heads up, we'll be fine. And it's way better than the sports bar options. :)
posted by youcancallmeal at 2:57 PM on May 12, 2010

Passenger is cool. They have a backroom, the Columbia room, that is often reserved for private parties. One could reserve that, for a pretty low price, I bet. Or just go there. I know the owners somewhat and could possibly work out a drink special or something. Or not or nothing or never. Can we put a moratorium on not having a Gaga singalong?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 3:38 PM on May 12, 2010

Potomac Ave - Do you want to do the planning, then? I know one of the Brown brothers pretty well, but if you can get a drink special... :)
posted by youcancallmeal at 3:44 PM on May 12, 2010

I'll be at ALA, and I'd love to got to a meetup! I may be heading back home by Monday evening, but I will attempt to attend.
posted by willpie at 6:56 PM on May 12, 2010

I'm a librarian and will be at ALA - count me in if this happens.

nthing The Passenger as the best option near the Convention Center.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:43 AM on May 13, 2010

Everyone listen to what Ryan recommends, he helped me set up a meeting at the last ALA in DC. It's that place in the old post office building, it was perfect.
posted by Blake at 11:54 AM on May 13, 2010

Oh, yeah, it was Capitol City Brewing Co. It was GREAT. (And I'm a librarian, but won't be there this year)
posted by Blake at 11:56 AM on May 13, 2010

I'm not a librarian, but I am an archivist and I work very close to the convention center. I'd love to attend, although I'm batting about 1 for 4 w/r/t meetups.

I've been dying to try The Passenger.
posted by kaybdc at 12:12 PM on May 13, 2010

Do you guys need to see my library card? Because I'm checking this thread out.
posted by anti social order at 12:39 PM on May 13, 2010 [3 favorites]

The Capitol City Brewing Co. is in the Postal Square Building, which is, in fact, an old Post Office, but it's a different building from the Old Post Office. Can't imagine how you'd get those two mixed up.

I do like Capitol City Brewing Co., but it sounds like The Passenger is a good fit. I haven't been there, but I'll commit to making the meetup.
posted by MrMoonPie at 12:54 PM on May 13, 2010

Everyone listen to what Ryan recommends ...

This year I'm throwing my weight behind The Passenger - closer than Capitol City Brewing Co., and better atmosphere (assuming we can squeeze everyone in.)

Potomac Avenue: can you make an appeal for cheap(er) drinks on our behalf?

Blake: we'll tip one in your honor - sorry you can't make it!
posted by ryanshepard at 12:55 PM on May 13, 2010

I will do my darndest, it may involve a fee to rent out their backroom tho. Someone memail me if u haven't heard back in a bit from me to remind please.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 3:47 PM on May 13, 2010 [1 favorite]

Should we sidebar this, since it's slipped off the main page already? I know there are other mefibrarians who may be looking for meetup info soon. Also, can we list it as like ALA/DC so they can find it more easily (and to avoid possible duplicate meetup suggestions in the next few weeks). I'm psyched, the last ALA/DC meetup I went to was super fun.
posted by leesh at 4:44 PM on May 13, 2010

Sure, I'll sidebar it: The Passenger, Monday evening (exact time TBD), June 28th. Mefibrarians and mefites of all stripes will be there.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:23 PM on May 13, 2010

Oooh, nice, I totally just noticed that this was in DC -- I don't know for sure but there's a decent chance that Bulgaroktonos (my husband), Copronymus (our roommate) and I (me) could come; hopefully by that time I'll be done with the ridiculous amount of family commitments I've had over the past few weeks/months.

The three of us actually used to be librarians (I mean, sort of -- we worked in technical services at the school library as undergrads) so we can complain about bibliographers if you want (especially FC, if that means anything to any of you).
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 7:39 PM on May 13, 2010

I haven't been on mefi in a relatively long time (sad, silly 'job/career' shtuff!)... BUT in that shtuff i sorta interviewed at the National Library of Medicine... hooray for libraries and librarians! and i think it's time to reconnect with mefi all around!
posted by NikitaNikita at 6:37 AM on May 14, 2010

I will almost certainly attend. IANALibrarian but I read a lot.

Thanks for the sidebar, I too hadn't noticed this was in DC.
posted by ish__ at 2:06 PM on May 14, 2010

Sounds good to me.
posted by exogenous at 5:36 PM on May 14, 2010

I was wondering if there was going to be an ALA meetup. Will totally attend!
posted by jackflaps at 6:43 AM on May 16, 2010

I am not a librarian (although I've had the title), I won't be attending ALA (we are legal libraries), but I work in a library in DC. Unfortunately, I live in Baltimore. So, if this doesn't start too late, I can stay in DC and go for a little while.
posted by QIbHom at 7:40 AM on May 18, 2010

Yes! I am so there. Thanks for calling this, ocherdraco!

Rev. MrMoonPie, I expect stories!
posted by zennie at 12:49 PM on May 19, 2010

Yay, a DC meetup I can probably make! Count me as a very probable tentative yes!
posted by Riki tiki at 5:14 PM on May 26, 2010

Does 6PM work for folks? Never heard back RE: drink specials, but Passenger is pretty reasonably-priced (for DC, anyway) to begin with.
posted by ryanshepard at 11:53 AM on June 2, 2010

6pm works for me.
posted by MrMoonPie at 12:52 PM on June 2, 2010

6pm should be good for me
posted by ish__ at 5:42 PM on June 2, 2010

Might be there a bit past 6, but I'll be there.
posted by JoanArkham at 5:58 PM on June 2, 2010

I probably couldn't get there much before 7:00, but I'll catch up.
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:51 PM on June 2, 2010

Yeah, me and +1 will be there sometime hopefully not long after 6.
posted by Riki tiki at 8:07 PM on June 2, 2010

6 totally works--can't wait!
posted by leesh at 7:13 PM on June 3, 2010

6 works! If drink specials don't come through, I'll get in touch with thema bit beforehand to make sure that they're ready for a group.
posted by youcancallmeal at 10:38 PM on June 5, 2010

If it starts at 6, I will attend at least briefly.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:41 AM on June 10, 2010

For the purpose of updating the sidebar: the meetup will be at The Passenger, Monday, June 28th at 6pm. Mefibrarians and mefites of all stripes will be there.

The Passenger is at 1021 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 (between Mount Vernon Place and New York Ave).

----------

For those attending ALA, who want to see me on a panel, here are the details:

POP TOP STAGE
2:30 - 3:30: Graphic Novel Editors: The Masters of Design.

The editorial processes for the graphic novel format can be fairly similar to that of prose and yet it can also be so completely different. These editors represent a “new school” of opportunity for the world of editors. The art of editing a book of art presents an entirely new set of rules and these editors are at the forefront of the industry. How do they choose the books to work on? How does the relationship with the creator affect the end product? This panel will provide an inside look to the elements involved.

David Saylor, Scholastic; Betsy Mitchell, Del Rey; Maggie Lerhman, Abrams; Margaret Maloney, Bloomsbury USA and Glenn Kardy, Manga University

Moderator: Eva Volin, Alameda Free Library, Alameda, California.

posted by ocherdraco at 8:03 AM on June 14, 2010

Let it be pronounced across the land that I will (most likely) be in attendance at this particular meetup. Rumors of my non-existence will be SQUASHED!

(What's that you say? There were no such rumors? And most people have no idea who I am? Oh. Well then. I may still show up and stand in the back.)
posted by arco at 6:18 PM on June 16, 2010

arco, I was wondering where you've been. You say hi.
posted by zennie at 8:30 AM on June 17, 2010

Oh, remember I zennie, at the last meetup, going on and on about how much she missed arco, where's arco, it's not a meetup without arco, remember last time we were at the Brickskellar and arco was here, and the rest of us there being all like "what are we, chopped liver?" Then she ordered the chopped liver, and forgot all about you.

Until now. Until now.
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:53 AM on June 17, 2010

Ah, yeah, chopped liver! But they don't serve foie at The Passenger.

I checked.
posted by zennie at 2:24 PM on June 21, 2010

Myself and possibly Mr. wowbobwow (aka dougunderscorenelso) will be in attendance for this! I'll be at ALA all weekend, too. Will Shortz lecture FTW!!
posted by wowbobwow at 5:06 PM on June 22, 2010

SO...if any of you librarian-types want a tour of the pretty neat library in which I work, lemme know. ocherdraco has already signed up. Jessamyn (and quite a few others) has had the pleasure. There's a scheduled open house, which I've been to, and it's awesome, quite, quite awesome, but/and I can take you around, too.

arco, we've talked about this. You should come.

zennie, we haven't, but, still.
posted by MrMoonPie at 6:46 PM on June 22, 2010 [1 favorite]

MrMoonPie: I'm local, and have my reader card, but if there is anything neat you could show me that I would not otherwise be allowed to see, I'd love to go on your tour.
posted by phrontist at 1:03 PM on June 23, 2010

About what time is the MrMoonPie tour?
posted by zennie at 1:46 PM on June 23, 2010

One person has asked for Friday at 5:00, so at least that! We'll meet in the lobby inside the Independence Avenue entrance of the Madison Building, seen here. If you want to exchange phone numbers, shoot me an email. I'm 6'5" and ponytailed, and have been seen at meetups before, so I should be easy to find.

We could do a repeat performance on Monday (or Tuesday), if folks are still around, or even a preview tour earlier on Friday.
posted by MrMoonPie at 3:46 PM on June 23, 2010

Friday the 25th? I might just be in! It's my last day at my old job. Meetup Monday is the first day at my new job.
posted by exogenous at 4:25 PM on June 23, 2010

I'd say that was a good tour, but that'd be bragging. Thanks to amicamentis, exogenous, zennie, and amicamentis' friend for coming out and giving me a chance to show off my office. Anyone up for Monday?
posted by MrMoonPie at 6:55 PM on June 25, 2010

Thanks, MrMoonPie! You were a good sport about completely random people coming up and joining our "tour group".
posted by zennie at 7:17 PM on June 25, 2010

What? MoonPie tour? I'm down if there'll be a group on Monday.
posted by youcancallmeal at 9:28 PM on June 25, 2010

Great tour today of the Library of Congress, and post-tour hangout. Glad we didn't get busted for various explorations of the Jefferson building. Looking forward to the meet up Monday.
posted by exogenous at 9:36 PM on June 25, 2010

I need to be back in State College by midnight but that gives me a good hour or so for meet-upping, so I'll definitely be there for the start of things.
posted by jackflaps at 8:03 AM on June 26, 2010

So, I'm guessing we're looking at about 15-20 folks. Does that seem right?
posted by youcancallmeal at 4:17 PM on June 27, 2010

Yes, yccma. I'd favor closer to 20.
posted by zennie at 4:30 PM on June 27, 2010

So Bulgaroktonos and I were planning to go but we've just now gotten back from my cousin's wedding and all that that entailed (it was, in the words of my aunt, "the social event of the season", a description that might help show you just how too much my family can be), so I don't think we're that likely to make it; the wedding was really beautiful, but it was a few days of lots of social activity and we are pretty wiped out both mentally and physically. Sorry that we won't get to see everyone and have a great time!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:48 PM on June 27, 2010

Glargh, I can't make it after all due to a worksplosion. Sorry folkses. See you at the next one. ><
posted by Riki tiki at 6:52 PM on June 27, 2010

What looked like a scheduling conflict seems to have been eliminated. See you all this evening!
posted by anotherpanacea at 10:50 AM on June 28, 2010

I'll definitely be attending this one. Not that anyone knows me or has been holding their breaths in anticipation, but in case you were trying to pin down the number of likely attendees. See you all in a few...
posted by kaybdc at 10:57 AM on June 28, 2010

I can make this in spite of work demands. Take that exchange server!
posted by anti social order at 11:37 AM on June 28, 2010

I'm definitely in.
Already gave ocherdraco her tour!
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:40 AM on June 28, 2010

I may be a bit late--meeting at 5--is Passenger on 7th past the convention center in the opposite direction of Chinatown?
posted by leesh at 12:18 PM on June 28, 2010

Not really "past" the convention center, more across the street from it. Coming up 7th from Chinatown, you'll cross K St. and Massachusetts Av. (which you cross first depends on the side of the street you're on--I know, DC weirdness) and Mt. Vernon Square. The bar shares space with the Warehouse Theater.
posted by MrMoonPie at 12:29 PM on June 28, 2010

Thanks!
posted by leesh at 12:41 PM on June 28, 2010

I'm looking forward to it, folks, especially as I've spent the last hour trying to figure out why my phone suddenly hates me. I am going to need a drink.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:15 PM on June 28, 2010

Fun to hang out w/ you guys tongiht! I'll upload pics (the few I got before ym battery died) tomorrow when I get home.
posted by leesh at 6:38 PM on June 28, 2010

Thanks for organizing, ocherdraco. And Happy Birthday!
posted by MS_gal at 8:48 PM on June 28, 2010

That was awesome, y'all.
posted by Electrius at 9:06 PM on June 28, 2010

Great meetup! Wish I could have stayed a while longer, but the Blue line is a cruel mistress.

Also, I suck at names and it was loud...who was I talking to about DC photography and Portland?
posted by JoanArkham at 5:51 AM on June 29, 2010

Good times. Should do that again, possibly on a night where I don't have to work early the next day.
posted by anti social order at 6:23 AM on June 29, 2010

Thanks, guys. That was a super awesome meetup. I have a steno pad that was left at the meetup (ryanshepard's?). If it's yours, let me know, and I'll mail it to you.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:16 AM on June 29, 2010

Joan, I believe you're thinking of ryanshepard.
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:19 AM on June 29, 2010

Thanks, Mr. MoonPie. Yay, I guessed right!
posted by JoanArkham at 8:49 AM on June 29, 2010

Also, I suck at names and it was loud...who was I talking to about DC photography and Portland?

That was me - but it looks like you figured that out already :)
posted by ryanshepard at 1:42 PM on June 29, 2010

OK, I added the few photos I managed to take before the battery died--sorry to have missed proving the existence of zennie, ocherdracho, ryanshepard, and others whose names I didn't get (which was most people there--feel free to label the people I did get).
posted by leesh at 3:39 PM on June 29, 2010

Thanks, everybody - that was fun evening!
posted by EvaDestruction at 5:29 PM on June 29, 2010

I had a good time for the hour or so I was there.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:44 AM on July 1, 2010