The TLA Experience: A First-Time Attendee’s Review of TLA
Anticipation. Expectation. Authors. Books. These ideas and many others gurgled inside me as I concluded my four-hour drive to San Antonio. My mentor, Nicole Cruz, accompanied me; we had both signed up for Battledecks on Wednesday and were worried we would be late. I was definitely excited – Impromptu Speaking and I go way back. (I also looked forward to seeing Becky Calzada, Martha Rossi, Jan Hodge, and many other awesome library administrators I had met as an intern during the Texas Association of School Library Administrators, or TASLA, conference last June.) We picked up our badges and headed toward room 221CD. My nerves kicked in when I saw the room filled with librarians. Here I was, a first-time TLA-er and already participating in Battledecks. I was nervous and excited. Rules were explained, and names were drawn. I was sixth in line. As I walked toward the front of the room and took the microphone in hand, I could feel the lump in my throa...