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In the Boston public Library? ;)
Last night was insane. Absolutely insane. It was the end of conference bash for the PLA, and it was held at the Boston Public Library. No really, it was just unbelievable. And in a library?
Starting from the train ride over. This guy starts talking to me and we have a nice little conversation. He knew I was getting out at Back Bay, but waits until I'm trying to get out the door and then won't let me leave because I haven't given him my number. I managed to get out at the last second by basically shoving my wedding ring in his face. Sheesh!
Anyway, walking toward the library, I see flashing lights. Everywhere. They are clearly police cars. Then I realize that the street is completely blocked off for the buses full of librarians. As I walk closer, I hear military drums. Closer still, and there are fifes playing as well. Walking up the steps, I realize it is a four piece group in full Colonial regalia welcoming people into the building!
Now, they opened up the entire library, new and old buildings for this party. Around every corner was hordes of people, food, music, surprises... I've never seen the library like this, and I never expected that I would. Amazing. (I asked security types about it later, and they said that the library is frequently rented out like this for private functions, but never before for such a large group. Usually it's in the range of 500 people, I heard that we were anywhere in the range of 6000 to 12000!)
There was a mashed potato bar in the cafe. I walked through to the special exhibits room, and the Harvard Crocodiloes were up on the balcony performing in full tuxes for the whole two hours. I went to walk up the grand staircase, and looked up. I thought to myself, "I don't remember there being Roman statues on this staircase..." and then the statues moved!
The reading room was unbelievably crowded, and there was a food station every few tables. A tuscan station, a turkey carving station, a dessert and coffee station, not mention bar stations everywhere. And passed hors d'oeuvres of course. there was a harpist somewhere that I didn't see.
Walking through the reference area, there was a man singing old standards at a piano. In the new building, there was a loud (very very loud) salsa band in the big open area by the children's room. And dancing librarians. (And more food of course.) At the top of the stairway in the atrium was another living statue, this time a golden statue of liberty type.
After exploring most of the corners just to see what was going on, I went back to watch the Harvard a capella group. The final song was "In the Mood," and two of the guys came down off the balcony to swing dance (fancy moves, but kinda uncoordinated...which just made it funnier). Crazy night.
Waiting in line for the coat check, a drunken, gay librarian came up to me, and shouted "Happy library!" (the way one would shout "Happy New Year!"), and then wanted me to kiss his cheek. I figured what the heck? So I did. :)
Then I gave mini-history lessons about Copley Square for people outside waiting for buses.
I only paid $25 to see the exhibits at the conference (not the hundreds it would have cost to fully participate). I never expected that anything like that would be part of my $25. :)
Last night was insane. Absolutely insane. It was the end of conference bash for the PLA, and it was held at the Boston Public Library. No really, it was just unbelievable. And in a library?
Starting from the train ride over. This guy starts talking to me and we have a nice little conversation. He knew I was getting out at Back Bay, but waits until I'm trying to get out the door and then won't let me leave because I haven't given him my number. I managed to get out at the last second by basically shoving my wedding ring in his face. Sheesh!
Anyway, walking toward the library, I see flashing lights. Everywhere. They are clearly police cars. Then I realize that the street is completely blocked off for the buses full of librarians. As I walk closer, I hear military drums. Closer still, and there are fifes playing as well. Walking up the steps, I realize it is a four piece group in full Colonial regalia welcoming people into the building!
Now, they opened up the entire library, new and old buildings for this party. Around every corner was hordes of people, food, music, surprises... I've never seen the library like this, and I never expected that I would. Amazing. (I asked security types about it later, and they said that the library is frequently rented out like this for private functions, but never before for such a large group. Usually it's in the range of 500 people, I heard that we were anywhere in the range of 6000 to 12000!)
There was a mashed potato bar in the cafe. I walked through to the special exhibits room, and the Harvard Crocodiloes were up on the balcony performing in full tuxes for the whole two hours. I went to walk up the grand staircase, and looked up. I thought to myself, "I don't remember there being Roman statues on this staircase..." and then the statues moved!
The reading room was unbelievably crowded, and there was a food station every few tables. A tuscan station, a turkey carving station, a dessert and coffee station, not mention bar stations everywhere. And passed hors d'oeuvres of course. there was a harpist somewhere that I didn't see.
Walking through the reference area, there was a man singing old standards at a piano. In the new building, there was a loud (very very loud) salsa band in the big open area by the children's room. And dancing librarians. (And more food of course.) At the top of the stairway in the atrium was another living statue, this time a golden statue of liberty type.
After exploring most of the corners just to see what was going on, I went back to watch the Harvard a capella group. The final song was "In the Mood," and two of the guys came down off the balcony to swing dance (fancy moves, but kinda uncoordinated...which just made it funnier). Crazy night.
Waiting in line for the coat check, a drunken, gay librarian came up to me, and shouted "Happy library!" (the way one would shout "Happy New Year!"), and then wanted me to kiss his cheek. I figured what the heck? So I did. :)
Then I gave mini-history lessons about Copley Square for people outside waiting for buses.
I only paid $25 to see the exhibits at the conference (not the hundreds it would have cost to fully participate). I never expected that anything like that would be part of my $25. :)
From: (Anonymous)
no subject
The secret lives of librarians? ;P
Oh, and what's the PLA? Is that the thing where you got all the free unpublished books for my b-day that one time?
-E
From: (Anonymous)
no subject
D
From:
no subject
From: (Anonymous)
no subject
From: (Anonymous)
no subject
But I guess I'll have to go with laughing since I already did that ;P
-E