The Party is Over!

I found a Borders with a wifi.  I've been trying to send this post via Blackberry, but evidently its much too big to transfer.  So here goes.

Another AASL Conference is over. 

The party at ImaginOn was great.  Good food, good music, dancing, wine and an incredible facility!  Wait til you see the pictures!  Its a combination library/childrens' museum/meeting center/education facility.  They have a website--I hope you have sound.  There are multiple levels with tables and comfy chairs, computer stations for both computer games and regular computer use.

A few thoughts:

• Charlotte is a beautiful city.  The downtown area is very safe and extremely easy to walk.  There are sights and sounds to entrance every sense as you walk around.  Everywhere we turned we found another museum, exhibit, library or someplace to take your family.
• The city is very library and literature-friendly.
• I learned a lot.  I'm actually overwhelmed and will take a while to digest the information.  I'm going to be doing a LOT of downloading and reading over the next few months!
• I'm psyched to get involved using games and gaming in the library. 
• There were so many sessions I never got to because they were held at the same times.  Again, downloads are wonderful!
• The exhibitors were so helpful answering quesitons.  I spoke quite a while with the Follett people about Destiny 9.5 and Quest.  The system keeps getting better and more useful.
• 797 needs to trust us more.
• I didn't get much by way of freebies to bring back.  I tried, and Paul tried, but the vendors just didn't have much to give away. :-(
• This was a technology-rich conference, but we had problems.  The Convention Center wireless network allowed access all over the building, but was frequently slow and spotty (sound familiar?).  There was also a deficit of outlets, and even tables, in the session rooms.
• The hotel was extremely convenient, across the street from the Conference Center but quite pricey.  There wasn't even a fitness center.  You have to get a temporary membership to the Y next door for $12/day or $20/week.

Well, time to get back on the road.  Its taking a LOT longer to drive than AAA says.  We have learned that whatever they estimate--they lie!

The next AASL is October 27-30, 2011 in Minneapolis, MN.  Anyone want to share a room?

See y'all in Providence! (Yes, they really do say that!)