Start Spreadin' the News

By Alicia Cronin Dimaio

New York City is SLA's destination for the 94th Annual Conference and INFO-EXPO. What better setting than the Big Apple to experience thought-provoking educational sessions, intriguing general session speakers, and stimulating networking opportunities?

With more than 300 years of living history, there's something for everyone in New York, with no end to the sights, views, excitement, and surprises. Here are a few of the many things the city that never sleeps has to offer.

Libraries galore! There are 91 special libraries in the New York metropolitan area. There are libraries to fit everyone's needs, from the American Kennel Club library to the Horticultural Society library to the New York Stock Exchange library.

For more information, the Metropolitan New York Library Council (www.metro.org) has a full list of the libraries located throughout the state.

Explore our nation's history. New York is full of attractions for visitors who love exploring the past. Here are just a few of the historic sites that await you:

Ellis Island—retrace the footsteps of millions of immigrants who entered the country through this port. Maybe you'll find the first member of your family to enter the United States.

Statue of Liberty—one of America's most recognized and beloved symbols.

United Nations—learn about the UN's history, including its peacekeeping missions and humanitarian efforts around the world.

Morris-Jumel Mansion—Manhattan's oldest house. The building served as a command post for George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

South Street Seaport—the renovated port district that now houses trendy shops and restaurants in a history-laden atmosphere.

A museum for everyone. New York is home to hundreds of museums of all shapes, sizes, and flavors—surely there is one that's right for you. If you aren't sure where to start, consider this small sampling of what the city has to offer.

Lower East Side Tenement Museum—This is an actual tenement that was home to more than 7,000 immigrants between 1863 and 1935.

For a virtual tour, visit http://www.tenement.org.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—This Frank Lloyd Wright­designed building (depicted in our conference logo) is as famous as the museum's collection of modern art. To see what's on display, click on http://www.guggenheim.org/new_york_ index.html.

Museum of Radio and Television—Here visitors can select from more than 50,000 radio and television program tapes to listen to or watch at one of the 96 radio and television consoles. Find your favorite childhood program at http://www.mtr.org

Museum of Modern Art(MOMA)—This museum is home to the largest collection of modern art (artwork created since 1880) in the world. To see what exhibits are currently scheduled or shop at the online store, go to http://www.moma.org.

Spectacular, spectacular! After a long day of sessions and visiting the exhibit hall, what better way to cap off your evening than with a show? New York is home to Broadway—the most famous theater district in the world. Thirty-nine theaters are currently in operation. Whatever your theatrical taste—drama, comedy, musical revue—you can find it among the neon lights of Broadway. For a list of upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, go to www.playbill.com.

In the coming months we will continue to tell you about interesting things to see and do in New York. We hope you plan to join SLA in New York City for the 94th Annual Conference, June 7-13, to experience all the excitement SLA will bring to the Big Apple!