Alicia LeRoux, left Leslie Swenson, right/vendor for Five Ponds Press

Alicia LeRoux, left
Leslie Swenson, right/vendor for Five Ponds Press

This was my first VAASL conference and I can sum it up in one word:  WOW!  It was great fun going to the conference with my library cohort buddy Jenny Larson.  I learned a lot in all my sessions…favorites were the ones on technology, primary sources, and makerspaces.  I can only wonder when the day will come when I will be able to use all my new ideas when I am hired as a librarian.  I really enjoyed the dessert buffet with David Baldacci, and yes, library friends out there reading this, he really is the brother of the family who attends my church.  When visiting the vendors, I ran into a former colleague of mine and previous Longwood School Librarian graduate student, Leslie Swenson.  She now works for Five Ponds Press.  In the picture, you will see me to the left, Leslie to the right, the display of Five Ponds Press in the background, and my finger to the far right.  I need to practice my selfie technique!  A big shout out to Frances Reeve, Audrey Church, and Karla Collins for a lovely reception with introductions by Audrey (amazing!) and the gift!!  Thanks to the Longwood Travel Grant for supporting my conference adventure!