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Members in the News
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Robert Ibach will retire on July 1, 2007, after 21 years as
library director at Dallas Theological Seminary. He helped guide the
planning and building of the Turpin Library in 1988, one of two
buildings that the library occupies. During his administration the
library completed its reclassification, adopted an integrated library
system, doubled the size of the collection, and greatly expanded its
archives and rare book collection. Prior to his work in Dallas he was
a librarian for 17 years at Grace College and Seminary in Indiana.
A Doctor in Divinity, honoris causa was conferred upon
Newland F. Smith III, librarian and associate professor of
Bibliography at
Seabury-Western Theological Seminary during the Virginia Theological
Seminary commencement. Click
here to read the press release. (6/1/07)
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Message from the Executive Director
June 1, 2007
Philadelphia Bound
In 1976 we loaded our three little children (ages 8, 6, and 3) on the
Amtrak train and headed for Philadelphia for the bicentennial. We saw all
of the historic sites that marked our country’s independence, all of
which are within walking distance of the Doubletree Hotel, site of this
year’s annual conference. It was a memorable trip for all of us.
Thirteen years later, when our daughter Mia started college in
Philadelphia, we made regular trips east, sometimes towing a small trailer
and finding other sites to visit in Philadelphia, sites that college
students found appealing.
In February 1999, I attended my first conference of the National
Federation of Abstracting and Indexing Services (NFAIS) in Philadelphia,
the first of what has become an annual February trip. Two weeks ago I
attended my first meeting as a member of the PALINET board of trustees, an
appointment that adds three more trips to Philadelphia each year.
Needless to say, Philadelphia has become a favorite destination for me,
and it’s not all work. Philadelphia has great restaurants, great music
(both classical and jazz), great art, great history, and the downtown and
historic area are walkable – it’s a terrific city for touring on foot.
Here are a couple of inexpensive “don’t miss” opportunities that
I recommend for you while attending the ATLA conference in two weeks:
- The
Wannamaker Organ. Every day (Monday – Saturday) at 12:00
noon and 5:00 PM there are free concerts on the world’s largest
organ, located in the former Wannamaker department store (Macy’s).
You can go into the main atrium of the store and just walk around or
stand and listen to this fabulous organ;
- Reading Market.
This is a must-see and must-eat location, stalls serving every
imaginable kind of food in a wonderful historic location. You really
must experience the Reading Market to have really done Philadelphia;
- Kimmel Center. Our
hotel is directly across the street from the wonderful Kimmel
Center, for my money the most beautiful concert hall in the
country. There are three additional venues there and there are always
a good variety of concerts and recitals and performances, especially
on the weekends. The former Philadelphia Orchestra venue – the
Academy of Music – is just one block away and has lots of Broadway
musicals and performances.
- Curtis Institute
Recitals. Check for free recitals at the Curtis Institute,
just three blocks from the hotel. At least walk by and hear musicians
practicing.
- Liberty
Bell. If you’ve never seen the Liberty Bell, you really
should. It has a wonderful history and will surely stir your patriotic
spirit.
- Ritz
Carlton lobby. The Ritz Carlton (three blocks north of the
Doubletree) has converted a wonderful bank rotunda into a bar and
lounge area where you are welcome to sit and enjoy snacks or a drink
and engage in some serious people watching (I’ve seen more
celebrities in Philadelphia than I have in Chicago).
- Rittenhouse
Square. This is a great place (about 6 blocks west of the
Doubletree) for walking, relaxing, and visiting. You’ll find
Philadelphians extremely friendly and conversational. After dinner one
evening we struck up a conversation with another couple who’d dined
at a table near ours, and they insisted on giving us a ride back to
our hotel.
Now don’t get me wrong – it’s the conference and the programs
that are all-important to me, but it’s also important to have some fun
as well. The outstanding local host committee has arranged for wonderful
excursions and side trips and have lots of information to offer you, so
I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time at this conference. I felt
somewhat obligated to share my favorite haunts, too, since I have come to
love this historic city. See you at Lord and Taylors.
Dennis
A. Norlin
ATLA
Executive Director |
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