Interesting that neither Google nor LJ--nor,... - LSW

oh yeah, google made the circuit years ago when they (briefly) cared about libraries - Christina Pikas

I actually asked them that at their booth, how did they get away with it? They said it was the map side of it. Whatever. But interesting library mapping. - ellbeecee

I remember this not only because of the exhibit--but because I was one of those who (foolishly?) wrote an article for the Google Librarian Newsletter. For which I got a remarkably mediocre free lunch at the Googleplex. - Walt Crawford

Google, the company, did the big booth last time... These folks were more like a smaller internal unit (but I, too, gave them a hard time about it) - awd

The LJ story has now been corrected. - Walt Crawford

What is the issue? Do they get to exhibit cheaper if it's their first time or something? - Steele Lawman

Google definitely exhibited at the Seattle MW in 2008 (?). They gave me a stuffed Google fish. - kaijsa

Steve: The "issue" is very minor--primarily that LJ didn't remember that Google was there five years ago. Thus "Interesting" was what I said, not "important" or "earth-shattering." Just "Interesting." - Walt Crawford

I'm pretty sure there were at ALA in 2005 or 2006, actually, as I distinctly remember them being there at one of the Annuals I attended. - laura x

I still have a little GOOGLE pin from when they were there. - Chelle Chelle Ro Ro

Google at ALA 2007 in Wash DC - http://www.flickr.com/photos... and 2006 in New Orleans - http://www.flickr.com/photos... , 2005 Chicago http://www.flickr.com/photos... - Christa

Thanks. I was pretty sure they'd been at two or three Annuals (and some Midwinters); 2007 was the first I could link to (and probably the last Annual before 2012). - Walt Crawford

Cool. I don't usually read LJ, so I wasn't clued in. From ellbeecee and awd's comments "get away with" and "gave them a hard time") I thought maybe Google was wrangling special treatment. Thanks for clarifying. - Steele Lawman

I should probably point that my questioning of them was in a tease-ish manner - i wasn't in any way really bothered by it, just curious. :) - ellbeecee

If I'd been there, I would have had the same attitude: "Really? That was some other Google a few years back?" The only special privilege is a First-Time Exhibitor ribbon (and I think a little sign they can put on their booth). - Walt Crawford

Yeah, I understand now, elbeecee. I was just adding things up and getting more than their sum. - Steele Lawman