Comments on: Beware the Swag Zombies

By: Paigers

Paigers — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:54:38 +0000

When I was in NOLA a couple of other librarians were in a bookstore off of Bourbon Street complaining to the owner that they didn’t know where to get a drink because they just wanted “a glass of wine.” They then proceeded to give me and my Hand Grenade a dirty look.

By: GetAClue

GetAClue — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:54:16 +0000

Bob – I’ve been to networking events and socials held in bars and restaurants in the conference city, including NOLA. When I am at an official function and am there to meet people and learn what other librarians are doing you had better believe I am wearing my name badge and sometimes carrying a conference bag. (Although I rarely use the conference bag as I have a large, professional, basic black shoulder bag I use instead.) I take my name badge off for the walk over, and put it back on for the social. People want to laugh and point that’s their problem, but if that’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever seen at ALA I think you need to get out more. :D

(PS I think all conferences have reputations for bad/stereotypical/tourist behavior. Even doctors and lawyer can be drunken jerks!)

By: Annoyed Librarian

Annoyed Librarian — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:47:45 +0000

I wouldn’t miss the ALA conference, Will. I have too much fun!

By: Midwest SciTech Librarian

Midwest SciTech Librarian — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:01:41 +0000

Remembering back to my library school days, a friend and I went to the mid-winter in Chicago just to see what all the hooplah was about and took a tour of the exhibits at the Hilton. We were picking up pens and notepads as gag souvenir gifts for friends (Who wouldn’t treasure a Wilson Abstracts notepad?). But looking ahead of us, there were a couple of nuns basically emptying each table’s contents into their swag bags. We had to jump in front of them so we could actually get something before they made their haul.

By: me

me — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:03:09 +0000

This isn’t unique to librarians by any stretch of the imagination. Our local community puts on a state-wide/regional substance abuse conference every year. The library has a member on the planning committee (me). You’d be surprised how many mental health professionals, doctors, nurses, and PhDs would bludgeon each other for a pad-folio and lanyard.

By: will manley

will manley — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:58:33 +0000

Beware everyone…this is the time of the year when AL ridicules ALA annual and all the librarians who go to ALA annual. Of course, the sweet irony, is that AL never seems to miss an ALA conference.

By: Bob Patterson

Bob Patterson — Tue, 29 May 2012 12:17:21 +0000

The most embarrassing thing I saw was at New Orleans. Halfway down Bourbon St. in a trendy bar there was a gaggle of librarians. They were complete with their conference badges and bags. Many of the clientele and staff were looking, pointing and snickering.

I can understand wearing that crap near the convention center but not on a night out!