Conferencing

OK, the last few years, I've been avoiding the major genealogical conferences for reasons both personal and professional. I'd come to think that, having gone to a number of the big genie conferences over the years, there wasn't enough to make it worth the time away from home and the time away from work. We had one here last year, but, with all of the behind the scenes that is entailed in putting on a conference, most of us didn't get much of a chance to really attend. But at the urging of several people close to me, I overcame my irrational, genetic fear of being away from home and, having been approved by my boss and his boss, etc., made the commitment to go.

And I got a lot more out of the experience than I could have hoped. I heard a number of speakers and topics that were unfamiliar to me. I was reminded that a listing of sources and their National Archives numbers do not constitute a good lecture, but if one listens, one can learn of a new source anyway. I learned more about the Society of Friends (Quakers), including that the notion of solitary confinement comes from the Quakers who were involved with prison reform and the idea that solitude would bring inner peace and reform of a criminal mind. I listened to a professional genealogical speaker say what professional genealogical speakers want when they come to speak (which will be a help as we do more programming). And I absorbed a bit on why, when and how the Scots migrated to North America. In other words, I picked up information that will broaden my knowledge to share with our customers.

I got to hear great stuff about our own little Genealogy Center. Attendees saw we were from Fort Wayne and asked if we researched here, then got all excited to learn that we actually got to come here every day and get paid for it! I got to listen to a speaker from another genealogy research center talk about her facility and I got to hear audience members ask her, "What do you have that Allen County doesn't? Why should I go there instead of Fort Wayne?" Another audience member immediately said, "A parking lot!" which drew a laugh. As I listened to her try to explain why her facility is better (it isn't, but she tried coloring the facts anyway), all I could feel was proud that we are one of the yardsticks that others must measure themselves by. I got to visit two Pennsylvania historical/library sites and learned that ACPL's public service attitude is miles better than theirs. Sort of a "what not to do" experience.

I also got to do fun things, like see friends I hadn't seen in a while and catch up on the, um, news that floats around. I got to do a bit of sightseeing (and a LOT of walking). I got to try a really Philly Steak Sandwich (two of them and I wasn't impressed, but my husband tells me I had to be on the south side of Philadelphia and that I wouldn't want to be in that neighborhood anyway). I got an opportunity to partially triumph over the lousy hotel that gave us 10 minutes to change rooms for someone more important. It really is fun to watch an officious, arrogant hotel manager realize that, no, these two librarians from Indiana were not going away easily. (In fact, he gave in too easily. I've had more fun overcoming an obstreperous hotel manager in Lebanon, Indiana than, this guy from Philly.) Every minute was exciting. Making new contacts, learning about new sources and new technology.

And, on an escalator, I got to listen to two conference attendees riding several steps back as they chatted about research venues. The first said she liked going to the library in Salt Lake City because they have so many sources. But the second said that she preferred going to "... Allen County much more because their staff isn't volunteers but professionals, and you can always get good ideas from them!" That gave me a glow.

The conference, as exhausting as it was, renewed my personal love of genealogy and my professional desire to help our customers. It was a great week.

But I'm still glad to be home!