ALA Back to New Orleans in '11, '18

In 2006, the American Library Assn. Annual Conference & Exhibition was the first citywide convention to go to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. Now, the librarians are returning in 2011 and 2018.

"When ALA went to New Orleans in 2006, people thought we were crazy," said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels.

But, he added, the librarians' presence in the devastated city ended up being a national news story.

"We showed the country that librarians are serious about building community," Fiels said. "We're really looking forward to returning to one of America's most wonderful and exotic cities."

The Crescent City is happy to have the group back too.

"Nothing gives us more satisfaction than welcoming back ALA for its 2011 and 2018 annual conventions," said Nikki Nicholson, vice president of sales for the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We are grateful to ALA's commitment to New Orleans, and we know that their trust and confidence in us will be rewarded, as it was in 2006."

According to the New Orleans CVB, nearly 17,000 librarians attended the 2006 meeting and it helped encourage other groups to give the city a try.

"Since that time, the city has flawlessly hosted hundreds of conventions and special events," Nicholson said.

The 2006 ALA convention attendees also had the opportunity to give back to the community by signing up for more than 22 volunteer projects to help restore local libraries, as well as other community-building efforts.

"The people of New Orleans were wonderful," Fiels said. "We had one of the most moving experiences and exciting conferences in our history."