Washington, DC, ALA 2007: Transformation Time
LJ’s picks and pans for the American Library Association 2007 annual conference
By John N.Berry III -- Library Journal, 6/1/2007
The program for the march by librarians on our nation’s capital for the American Library Association (ALA) conference is predictably loaded with lobbying, legislation, and DC tours. It also abounds with professional opportunity and reflects the impact of Leslie Burger, one of the most activist ALA presidents in recent history. Her “Transformation” theme has inspired sessions throughout the June 21–28 meeting.
It is obvious from the schedule that technology, a dominant feature of all recent ALA conferences, has moved more deeply into the professional mainstream, though now it is primarily as a tool to reposition libraries. Burger would call it a “transformation,” physically in sessions on buildings and space, virtually on services and library programs, and socially in discussions on social networking and such stuff as blogs, RSS feeds, IM, Flickr, and any of the dozens of new gizmos and options that are introduced every day.
Social Issues
ALA is not awash in big concerns right now, but there will be a membership debate on whether it should take positions on larger social and political questions, what some call “nonlibrary issues,” while others point out that libraries deal with all subjects and feel the impact of government policy on all matters. The social responsibility cadres will be outspoken on this front.
Strong programs on diversity, services, and tech services and cataloging; what to do about the decline of reference service; education; and a fine two-day experience for support staff make this a particularly practical conference for both administrators and library workers in the trenches.
Navigating ALA
The preliminary program was as confusing and chaotic as ever, with its tracks and channels. For the participant who wants to break away from his or her type of library or narrow job activity and learn about the broader professional picture, it is difficult to know what to look for and where. All too frequently, sessions on identical topics with equally strong speakers and panels are slotted at the same time. Sprinkled throughout are sessions that tout products, services, and software from vendors and consultants using the conference program as a place to deliver ill-disguised sales pitches. They are easy to spot, and you can decide whether or not you’d rather sit through that meeting or visit the vendor’s booth. LJ’s picks and pans are designed to help you cut a path through the program jungle and design your own conference experience. If you do it right, you’ll learn, share, debate, and be entertained. We put a star (
) next to the sessions we think have the greatest potential to provide you with one of those benefits. Enjoy!
Academic & Research Libraries
Collecting for Institutional Repositories: All the News That’s Fit To Keep
ALCTS CMDS. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. What an institutional repository (IR) should collect, who should solicit and submit items, how to deal with copyright, all according to some who have done it. Hear from Joseph J. Branin (Ohio State), Susan Gibbons (Univ. of Rochester, NY), Jim Ottaviani (Univ. of. Michigan), George Porter (CalTech.).
The Art of Persuasion: Strategies for Effective Communication with Chief Academic Officers
ACRL President’s Program., Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. What chief academic officers need to know about the library, what they expect, and what they need from librarians to make library resource decisions, per Elise B. Jorgens (Coll. of Charleston, SC), Dominic Latorraca (Cty. Coll. of Morris, NJ), William Destler (Univ. of Maryland), and moderator James P. Honan (Harvard Grad. Sch. of Education). A must in this era of the obsolete academic library.
Is the Learning Commons Enough?—Asking the Better Questions
LAMA BES, RUSA RSS. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Now the Information Commons has been renamed the Learning Commons or something else, like “library.” This explores how the latest technologies promise to reveal ways that the commons space can foster “interaction and learning.” Hear Scott Bennett (emeritus, Yale), Nancy Schmidt (Univ. of Guelph Lib., Ont.), Stephen Johnson (Pfeiffer Partners Architects), Mark Valenti (Sextant Group, Pittsburgh). Heavy hitters to tell us what’s in a name.
Advocacy
Advocacy Institute
ALA Public Awareness Cmte. TF. ALA-PIO. Fri., Jun. 22, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. How to be an effective library advocate and develop an action plan to use in your community or campus. A three-part program on message development and coalition-building techniques, nurturing advocates, and breakout sessions on increasing funding, maintaining budgets, and crisis communications. Worth the ticket price: in advance, $35; onsite, $50.
Avenues of Advocacy: Helping Members Make a Difference
ALA. Sat., Jun. 23, 8–10 a.m. Advocacy means promoting and designing library services and programs, building relationships inside and outside institutions, and helping library workers advocate on their own behalf. A session on using outreach, legislation, regulatory collaboration, and standards to advocate for library workers. Hear Jeanne Brown (Architecture Lib., Univ. of Nevada), Carla Funk ( Medical Lib. Assn.), Duane Webster (ARL), and Nan Myers (Wichita State Univ.). Top honchos on working for the troops.
Creating Advocacy Leaders: An Advocacy Institute Leadership Program.
ALA PIO. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Two hours on how to be a community organizer, net worker, web master, or an advocacy presenter. Promises to “transform you into a library advocacy leader.”
Campaign for America’s Libraries Training
ALA PIO. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–4:30 p.m. An advocacy showcase.
ALA Politics
ALA Council Meetings
ALA Council/Executive Board/Membership Information Session, Sun., Jun. 24, 9–10 a.m.; Council I, Sun., Jun. 24, 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.; Council II, Tues., Jun. 26, 9:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Council III, Wed., Jun. 27, 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ALA’s legislative body makes policy and urges action. Often boring process, but occasional hot debate. ALA’s stands on library and larger issues get decided here.
Executive Board Meetings
Fri., Jun. 22, 8:30 a.m.–noon; Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–4:30 p.m.; Wed., Jun. 27, 2–5:30 p.m. (Wednesday start may change if preceding Council session runs short/long.) Open to observers, but recommended only for ALA politics junkies who can watch and wait through the endless process and palaver for the occasional hot item.
Membership Meetings
Membership I, Sat., Jun. 23, 4–5 p.m., Membership II, Mon., June 25, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Less important each year, since little action can be taken and few members show up. The first is usually ceremony, and this year a debate on whether or not ALA should take stands on political issues (often called “nonlibrary” issues) might enliven the Monday session, but don’t bet on it. Of course ALA should take stands!!! ALA councilors, officers, and other establishment types who never tire of hearing themselves talk will hog the microphones on both sides of this nonissue.
ALA-APA Council
Information Session, Sun., Jun. 24, 10–10:30 a.m. ALA-APA Council, Mon., Jun. 25, 10:15–11:15 a.m. Born to push for better library salaries and to sell certification, APA has no members, and not much goes on at these sessions.
Inaugural Banquet
Tues., Jun. 26, 7 p.m.–midnight. ALA president-elect Loriene Roy and ALA division presidents are honored. Roy may lay out her program. Held at DC’s Grand Hyatt with the theme “Celebrating Community, Collaboration, and Culture.” Black tie or cultural dress to celebrate ALA’s first American Indian president; $85, and usually almost worth it.
Launch Yourself!: Discover How an ALA Internship Leads to Leadership in the Library Profession
ALA Membership Cmte. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. OK if you want to get involved in ALA, but the evidence is not clear that this program title is valid. The ALA internship program is the focus, with testimony from interns and committee chairs. A good take for new librarians.
Audiovisual
Engaging the Community with Documentary Film Screenings in Your Library
ALA PPO. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Working with public television through their community engagement program. You’ll learn how to get P.O.V. films, develop content, and lead a postscreening discussion. A P.O.V. film will be shown, and experiences with the program shared.
Put Your Money Where Your Circulation Is: The Fine Art of Budgeting for Audiovisuals
PLA LSC. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. It’s “Give ’em what they want” all over again! Allocating funds for popular collections, especially audiovisuals, according to Jim Cooper (Salt Lake. Cty. Lib. Syst.), Jana Prock (Bay City PL, TX), Rivkah Sass (Omaha PL), and Carolyn Anthony (Skokie PL, IL). A hot panel of effective librarians.
Automating Libraries
Leading Technology-driven Change: Theory and Practice
LAMA LOMS. Sat., Jun. 23, 8–10 a.m. A panel will “explore” ways librarians can execute “technology-driven organizational change.” Management theories, concepts, and ideas from Joyce Ogburn (Univ. of Utah), Kathryn Deiss (ACRL), with moderator Beverly Lynch (Grad. Sch. of Ed. & Info Studies, UCLA). It gets dicey when reality meets academe and associations.
RFID in Libraries: New Developments
LITA. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Promises “insight” into new, global developments in library RFID technology from users and vendors but no opponents.
Speaking Technically: A Conversation About Cutting-Edge Library Automation and Technology
ALA. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Andrew K. Pace (NCSU, Raleigh, and American Libraries columnist) and Marshall Breeding (Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, and Smart Libraries columnist) will ask “cutting-edge technologists” to look into the future of library automation and technology from the “vendor perspective.” Not always our favorite “perspective” but could be revealing.
RFID and Privacy: Has Privacy Lost Out to Dollars and Convenience?
ALA IFC. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Are libraries implementing radio frequency identification (RFID) without concern for patron privacy? Hear comments from Simon Garfinkel (journalist and privacy expert, Cambridge, MA), Ari Juels (RSA Laboratories, Bedford, MA), and Vinod Chachra (VTLS, Blacksburg, VA). Another strong mix on RFID issues.
Buildings
Libraries & Landscapes
LAMA BES. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A series of library projects will be evaluated to determine how each relates to its surrounding landscape. Hear architects Peter A. Gisolfi, James van Sweden, and Eric D. Groft and librarian Teri Garza (San Juan Capistrano Reg. Lib., CA).
No Shushing Required, Acoustics in Library (Open) Spaces
LAMA BES. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The management of open areas, acoustic conditions conducive to work/study/meeting activities, and more. How an acoustician can help.
Minding the COOP: Maintaining and Improving Library Security Through Continuity of Operations
LAMA BES. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A COOP (continuity of operations) plan emphasizes enabling vital functions while safeguarding facilities, assets, staff, and collections if natural or human-made disaster strikes. Hear about it from Elizabeth Titus (New Mexico State, Las Cruces), Curtiss Bartell (Continuity Planning for the Senate, DC), and Steve Jones (First Response Coalition, DC).
Why Does My Building Project Need an Interior Designer?
LAMA BES. Sun., Jun. 24, 8–10 a.m. Andrea Michaels (Michaels Assocs.), Sarah Michalak (UNC–Chapel Hill), and Philip Tramdack (Slippery Rock Univ., AR) will clarify the role of the architect and the interior designer in building projects.
Transforming Your Space
ALA Governance. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. How to take your space beyond flexible, comfortable, and user-friendly to a transforming experience for staff and users, according to architects Joe Rizzo and Henry Myerberg, Kathy Schalk-Greene (Mt. Laurel PL, NJ), and Hannelore Rader (Univ. of Louisville, KY). A Burger “Transformation Track” program.
AIA ALA 2007 Library Building Awards
LAMA BES. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Celebrate nine winners of the biennial awards given by a jury from ALA and the American Institute of Architects.
Cataloging & Metadata
Informing the Future of MARC: An Empirical Approach
ALCTS. Sat., Jun. 23, 8–10 a.m. Findings from research on cataloger use of MARC (www.mcdu.unt.edu) and future directions for MARC and cataloging. Hear William E. Moen and Shawne D. Miksa (SLIS, Univ. of North Texas) with Sally H. McCallum (LC). Making MARC usable?
Reflections on Cataloging Leadership
ALCTS CCS. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Now that Gorman et al. are retiring, who will lead the next generation of cataloging leaders? We can hardly wait to hear all the answers. If you go, tell us.
Bringing Order to Chaos: Managing Metadata for Digital Collections
ALCTS. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Issues surrounding the management of digital collections, as seen by Ann Caldwell (Brown Univ.), Erin Stalberg (Univ. of Virginia), and M. Claire Stewart (Northwestern).
Collection Development
Cooperative Monographic Collection Development—Recent Trends
RUSA CODES. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. The experience of five groups of libraries in sharing collection responsibilities. Hear Michael Levine-Clark and Julia Gammon (Univ. of Akron), Ewa Elizabeth Barczyk (Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Eric Pumroy, Seymour Adelman, and Kathryn Crowe (UNC-Greensboro); Susi Seiler (Nova Southeastern Univ.), and others.
Rare Books and Special Collections in Public Libraries: Collections and Locations, Old and New
ACRL RBMS, PLA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A look at the development and maintenance challenges of working with rare books and special collections in a diverse group of public libraries.
Special Collections: Deal or No Deal?
BCALA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hear how special collections offer strong sources of additional funding, ideal grant opportunities, perfect museum partners, and real community resources, with moderator Frank Smith (African American Civil War Museum, DC) and other experts.
Museums, Libraries, Archives: A Convergence
ALA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Three great speakers—Cliff Lynch (Coalition forNetworked Information), Kenneth Hamma (Getty Museum, Los Angeles), and Robert Martin (Texas Woman’s Univ. and former IMLS director)—on collection, description, and access to cultural objects; education and training for personnel; and standards. Replicates a program presented to over 300 at the conference of the American Association of Museums. Is it a real convergence of missions or an artificial alliance for survival?
Copyright
Copyright 101: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know but Were Afraid To Ask
ALA OITP. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. An open session at which copyright librarians will answer questions and provide advice on all aspects of copyright.
Digital Libraries
LITA President’s Program: Tag! Your IT!: Online Digital Audio Collections Meet PennTags
LITA. Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5 p.m. Chuck Haddix (Univ. of Missouri–Kansas City) presents “The Voices of World War II,” a case study of developing a digital library with access through the online catalog. Michael Winkler (Univ. of Pennsylvania) demonstrates PennTags, a social bookmarking and tagging system for the creation of personalized bibliographies of resources relating to and including this collection. Useful and entertaining stuff.
Digital Asset Management: Implications for Preservation
ALCTS PARS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Preservation decisions about digital files must be made at the time of file creation, making for a host of complex issues. Janet Gertz (Columbia Univ.), Robin Wendler (Harvard), and Joseph JaJa (Inst. for Advanced Computer Studies, Univ. of Maryland) will explain it all.
Electronic Resources: Training That Works
RUSA MARS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. How to make sure librarians are trained to use and instruct patrons in the use of e-resources. Marty Onieal (Broward Cty. Lib., Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Margaret Mohundro and Howard Trace (INSPIRE, INCOLSA, Indianapolis) will share training programs and materials that have worked. A useful swap & shop.
The Google Five Libraries: Two Years, Six Months, and Seven Days in the Life of Google Library ProjectLITA. Sat., Jun. 23, 3:30–5:30 p.m. The original managers from Google and the libraries in the Google Library Project discuss developments, criticism, new questions, and the possibilities the project has triggered. Don’t miss Adam Smith (Google Inc.), John Price (Univ. of Michigan), Catherine Tierney (Stanford), Dale Flecker (Harvard), John Balow (NYPL), and Ronald Milne (Oxford). A must!
Information in the World of Digital Natives
ALA ERT. Sat., Jun. 23, 8–10 a.m. Matt Hong’s “overview of how Internet usage and workflow of digital natives/Millennials differs from that of digital immigrants.” We think he means those who grew up digital vs. those who adapted later in life. He says it all “skews toward Web 2.0 cornerstones: multitasking, multimedia, social and community, user-generated content, personalization, storing and tagging.” OK.
Legal Challenges to Digitization Projects: Adopting Orphan WorksLITA, ALA OITP. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon, How institutions navigate around, remove, and prevent legal obstacles to digitization projects. With Peter Hirtle (Cornell), John Knox (Newberry Lib.), and Miriam Nisbet (ALA OGR). Important for digitizers.
Building the Next Generation Public Library Web Site with DrupalLITA. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. John Blyberg, who built the Ann Arbor District Library’s “3.0” web site with its blogs, interactive comment, and utter “Web 2.0” functionality, will discuss the site’s open source Drupal software. Blyberg is now working with the team building a new, way-out-front library in Darien, CT. He is one of the cutting-edge techies in our profession; make it a point to hear him.
Top Technology Trends
LITA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3 p.m. LITA’s experts in the ongoing discussion of trends and advances in library technology.
Future of Information Retrieval
ALA ERT. Mon., Jun. 25, 8–10 a.m. Hear about multicore processors, handheld devices, semantic clustering, and whether they are “the beginning of the end for LC subjects.” Promises predictions from a panel of “distinguished librarians, journalists, inventors, and visionaries,” but it doesn’t say who. Could be a pig in a poke.
Issues and Trends in Digital Repositories of Non-textual Information: Support for Research and Teaching
ACRL STS. Mon., Jun. 25, 8 a.m.–noon. The importance of preserving the total output of the scientific community, much of it impossible to find in published literature. Features Thomas Dowling (OhioLINK), D. Scott Brandt (Purdue), and Frank Cervone (Northwestern). More and more research ends up in this reservoir.
Diversity & Libraries
Serving Spanish Speakers with Disabilities
REFORMA. Sat., Jun. 23, 8–10 a.m. Needs of the disabled, part of the populations of Spanish speakers whose information needs have yet to be met, will be addressed by librarians and vendors, moderated by LJ Mover & Shaker Loida García-Febo (Queens Lib., NY).
The “R” Word: Exploring the Reality of Racism in Academic LibrariesACRL. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The panel will revisit racism in academic libraries, the relationship of race and racism to diversity, the impact of diversity initiatives on racism, changes in perceptions of discriminatory practices, progress toward incorporating race studies into LIS, and more. Features Mark Winston (SILS, UNC–Chapel Hill), the brilliant Lorna Peterson (LIS, Univ. at Buffalo), and Cynthia Preston (Ohio State). You need to know.
The Covenant with Black America: Does the Librarian Have a Role?BCALA. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Tavis Smiley’s The Covenant with Black America has created a new movement in the African American community. Jerome Offord Jr. (ARL), Cassandra Allen (NLM), LJ Mover & Shaker Trevor Dawes (Princeton), Tiffeni Fontno (Case Western), Shannon Jones (Virginia Commonwealth Univ.), LeRoy LaFluer (George Mason Univ.), and Allison Sutton (Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) discuss this needed new perspective.
Connecting People, Building Bridges: Diversity Knowledge Database
ALA Diversity. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. How to build a community of practice using the new Ocean County Library (NJ) Diversity Knowledge Database. Hear about this new tool from Ocean County’s Rita Post, Sabrina LaSpata, Susan Quinn, and Valerie Bell.
Move ’em Up: Developing a Workforce To Serve Our Communities
ALA Diversity. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. To increase the number of minority and bilingual staff, five New Jersey library organizations developed two IMLS grants to provide scholarships for library education for library employees. It funds AA, BA, MLIS, and Ph.D. degrees. Partners and students will talk about their experiences designing the grant, recruiting and mentoring, and participating in the program.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Multicultural Idea Exchange
ALA SRRT. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Lyn Miller-Lachman (editor, MultiCultural Review) moderates public, academic, and school librarians on highlights of successful activities to observe the 2007 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
2007 Diversity and Outreach Fair
ALA OLOS. Sat., Jun. 23, 3–5 p.m.
Native American Heritage in the Nation’s Capitol: Representation, Repatriation, and Resilience
ACRL ANSS, ALA Diversity. Sun., Jun. 24, 8 a.m.–noon. An interdisciplinary panel will explore issues in preservation and revitalization of American Indian heritage and cultures focusing on the cultural institutions in and around DC. Hear Emil Her Many Horses (Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian) and Suzan Shown Harjo (Morning Star Inst.).
Asian American Materials: Preserving Our Histories and Moving into the Future
APALA. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Preserving cultural and creative works at libraries, museums, and archives, per a panel of librarians, archivists, and scholars.
The Black Male Librarian: How Do We Recruit the Next Generation
BCALA. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Is librarianship “a profession emasculated by stereotypical career patterns of men and women”? Hear from Trevor Dawes (Princeton), Jos Holman (Tippecanoe Cty. PL), LeRoy LaFluer (George Mason), and Jerome Offord (ARL) on how the image of librarians affects recruitment of black males. Then there’s all the other male librarians.
Spectrum Scholar 10th Anniversary LuncheonALA Diversity. Sun., Jun. 24, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The Spectrum Scholarship Program is ten years old! ALA’s national diversity and recruitment effort has awarded scholarships to more than 415 individuals. Spectrum Scholars, Champions, and all who advocate for diversity in libraries will be there, along with Nikki Giovanni. Tickets: $55.
10 Years Later—Where Are They Now?: Spectrum Scholars Shining in the Field
ALA Diversity. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hear all about where Spectrum scholars have gone.
Minority Recruitment in Research Libraries: A Model of SuccessBCALA. Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5:30 p.m. A discussion of the important ARL Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Program, featuring MaShana Davis (ARL), Isabella De Castilla (LC), David Fernandez-Barrial (LC), LaVern Gray (Univ. of Tennessee), Bergis Jules (Indiana Univ.), and Jerome Offord (ARL).
Diversity Counts! The Diversity Statistics, Data and Resources You Need Right Now
ALA Diversity. Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5:30 p.m. ALA teamed with Decision Demographics to analyze national census data and other surveys to create a national demographic profile of the profession. Hear about it from Denise Davis (ALA ORS).
DiversionsALA Diversity. Mon., Jun. 25, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. The popular “Diversions” tour, an up-close encounter with diverse DC cultures. Featured destinations: the Anacostia Community Museum and neighborhood, National Museum of the American Indian, and vibrant shops of multicultural Adams Morgan. Should be valuable for the $65 ticket.
Marketing Library Services to the Melting Pot
PLA LSC, LAMA PRMS. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Experts will discuss nontraditional strategies to market library services to diverse communities.
Education for Librarians
The Need for Information Ethics Education
ALA Ethics. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Members of the ALISE Information Ethics Special IG and current and former members of the ALA Committee on Professional Ethics on information ethics teaching and research. Could be useful.
Certification Update: What’s Happening with CPLA and Other Programs?ALA APA. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A pitch to sell certification by candidates for Certified Public Library Administrator status and providers of that certificate. Useful information, but better if they openly discuss using certification as a way to deprofessionalize, or save on salaries by providing “cheaper” librarians than those with the MLS. Hear Alice Shands (Sunflower Cty. Lib. Syst., MS), Eve Tallman (Grand Cty. PL, UT—LJ 2007 Best Small Library in America), Larry Nash White (East Carolina Univ.), Metta Lansdale (Royal Oak PL, MI), and Denise Zielinski (DuPage Lib. Syst., IL). We’re gonna go.
COA Town Hall Meeting: Review of the 1992 ALA Standards for AccreditationALA COA. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Expect a discussion of proposed revisions to the 1992 Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies. Very important to the profession’s future.
Fundraising
Ethics and Fund Raising: Challenges and Opportunities
ACRL. Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5:30 p.m. Establishing a proper relationship between donors and the library, which information the library must share with donors, knowing when a gift should be refused, and more about the ethical and educational challenges of fundraising, from Bill Myers (Univ. of Kansas) and Dwain Teague (Univ. of Central Florida).
Leveraging Technology To Enhance Fundraising
LAMA FRFDS. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Technology provides new opportunities for fundraising, says Loren MccRory (Yuba Cty. Lib., Marysville, CA), FRFDS chair Gena Scott (Univ. of Missouri), and Eric Friedenwald-Fishman and Brian Detman (Metropolitan Group, Portland, OR). Useful topic, solid speakers.
Raising More Money™: Sustainable Funding for Your Library
LAMA FRFDS. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Raising More Money™ teaches nonprofit organizations like libraries its mission-based fundraising system. “When library donors are truly connected to the impact of an organization’s work and cultivated systematically they will give larger gifts.” Makes sense, but be aware of the vendor shingle hanging out there!
Future Libraries
The Ultimate Debate: Do Libraries Innovate?LITA. Sat. Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. You’ll probably enjoy these four noisy folks who push innovation. Featured are Andrew Pace, the NCSU technology innovator and commentator; Stephen Abram, who always has a better idea and is current president of SLA and VP of innovation at SirsiDynix; the always entertaining Joseph Janes, still the resident IR expert on the I School faculty at Univ. of Washington; and Karen Schneider, the Free-Range Librarian (the name of her blog) who has left Florida State Univ. Libs. after a short stay. They say they’ll “debate” why libraries use innovations but don’t innovate. Too bad they’re up against the next program listed.
Transforming Your Library, and Your Library’s Future, with TechnologyALA Governance. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Alan Kirk Gray (spearheading the technology to put the Darien Library, CT, in front of the cutting edge) and John Blyberg (Ann Arbor Dist. Lib. innovator who has just joined Gray in Darien) lined up Lori Ayre (the hot leader from the Galecia Group), Casey Bisson (Plymouth State Univ., NH), and Roy Tennant, (longtime LJ columnist who has just jumped to the mothership of OCLC from the California Digital Library). You won’t get a better look at the transforming uses of the newest technologies. Don’t miss this.
Librarians of the 21st Century: Developing Solutions to New Challenges at the Global, National, and Local Levels
CALA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. They promise that the unnamed speakers will focus on global outreach and networking, leadership development, training, continuing education, recruitment, mentoring, and academic and public libraries.
Transforming Your CommunityALA Governance. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Three successful practitioners on how to create a “symbiotic relationship” with a community, how to serve differing populations, and how to shift library culture to activism. Don’t miss Nancy Tessman (Salt Lake City Lib.—LJ 2006 Library of the Year), Jamie LaRue (Douglas Cty. Libs., CO), and Kate Nevins (SOLINET).
Access Services: It’s Not Just Circulation Any More!
LAMA SASS. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Customer service is “access services” and includes “circulation, ILL, reserves, instructional services, collection security, building management, services for the disabled, IT, technical services, reader’s advisory,” and more. Claims “combinations of cross job descriptions, civil service structures, and union contracts.” Sounds like “librarianship.” Hear Ann Snowman (Penn State Univ., State College), Trevor A. Dawes (Princeton), and Ross W. McLachlan (Phoenix PL).
Galas, Parties, Banquets
ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash
Sat., Jun. 23, 8 p.m. We first heard Mark Russell and the Capitol Steps at the old Shoreham Hotel when LBJ was in office. He’s still doing his shtick to parody presidents with songs and jokes. The entertainment is worth more than the $35 ticket, and some of that goes to ALA scholarships.
World Premier of “The Hollywood Librarian: Librarians in Cinema and Society”
ALA. Fri., Jun. 22, 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The premiere of a good idea, “The Hollywood Librarian” uses clips from American movies to create the first full-length film to focus on the work and lives of librarians, who will love it, although other audiences might not find it as fascinating. We’re definitely going to be there. Interviews with “real” librarians connect movie clips of cinematic librarians, all showing library values.
Third Annual Book Cart Drill Team World Championship
Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5:30 p.m. Washington Convention Center. Always fun to watch.
FTF Amelia Bloomer Project Breakfast: Who Needs Feminist Books?
ALA SRRT, FTF. Sun., Jun. 24, 7–9 a.m. The Amelia Bloomer Project breakfast presentation of feminist literature for children and teens. Tickets: $25.
Celebrating Libraries and Literacy at the Library of Congress
ALA OLOS. Fri., 5:30–7:30 p.m. ALA’s Committee on Literacy and the LC Center for the Book will celebrate libraries at the Madison Building of LC.
Networking Breakfast
ALA APA. Sun., Jun.24, 7:30–8:30 a.m. Celebrate the winner of the SirsiDynix–ALA-APA Award for Promoting Salaries and network with colleagues who are interested in unions.
LAMA 50th Anniversary Celebration Reception
LAMA. Sun., Jun. 24, 3:30–5:30 p.m. LAMA members celebrate 50 years with refreshments, prizes, and memorabilia.
ALA Video Round Table Gala Event & AFI Silver Theatre & Cultural Center
ALA VRT. Sun., Jun. 23, 5:30–9:30 p.m. A special evening at the AFI Silver Theatre II & Cultural Center. Filmmaker(s)/ film screening to be announced. Light hors d’oeuvres and a DVD raffle. $25 for VRT members and library school students; $30 for nonmembers and guests.
GLBTRT Social
ALA GLBTRT. Sun., Jun. 24, 6–8 p.m.
NMRT Student Reception
ALA NMRT. Sun., Jun. 24, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Welcomes library school students and guests to network and learn more about ALA units.
GODORT Reception
ALA GODORT. Sun., Jun. 24, 6:30–8 p.m.
LSSIRT Night Out
LSSIRT. Sun., Jun. 24, 6:30–9 p.m.. Come join “support staff” at City Lights of China Restaurant
3M/NMRT Social
NMRT. Sun., Jun. 24, 7:30–11:30 p.m. Recipients of the 3M Professional Development Grant are announced, then a dance. Cosponsored by 3M Library Systems.
ASCLA/COSLA Reception
ASCLA. Sun., Jun. 24, 9 p.m.–midnight. A great place to schmooze, booze, catch up with ALA leaders, rehash the conference, and connect.
International Librarian’s Reception
ALA IRRT. Mon., Jun. 25, 6–8 p.m. Welcome, schmooze, and booze with librarians visiting ALA from more than 80 countries. Features regional cuisine, hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar (free for international librarians) for $35.
16th Annual Free Speech Buffet
ALA SRRT. Mon., Jun. 25, 6–8:30 p.m. Alternative and independent publishers put their products on display. Like-minded folks, appetizers, and a cash bar. One of our favorites for only $15.
Gaming in Libraries
Gaming, Information Literacy and the College Student
ACRL CJCLS. Sat., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Skill acquired through video games have shaped the way students learn and process information and can be applied to student use of library databases. Hear OCLC’s George M. Needham and Paul James Gee (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison).
Government Information
What Difference Does It Make What Congress Published? American History in the Earliest Congressional DocumentsGODORT, ACRL RBMS, RUSA HS. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Establishing an inventory of all U.S. publications is a task of significant historical importance. Some of the challenges and mysteries concerning what Congress published prior to the 15th Congress will be discussed by a distinguished panel: Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), August A. Imholtz Jr. (Readex, Digital Documents Div.), Frederick Beuttler (Deputy Historian, U.S. House of Representatives), Jessie Kratz (Archivist, Natl. Archives and Records Administration). Essential.
Public Access to Government-Sponsored ResearchFAFLRT, FLICC. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. The open access movement, how it could affect federal publications and federal libraries, various legislative efforts to broaden access to federally funded research, and the potential impact on access, all discussed by James King (Naval Research Lab.), Heather Joseph (SPARC), Michael Mabe (Intl. Assn. of STM Pubs.), and Jerry Sheehan (NIH, NLM). Key leaders in a key debate.
Instruction in Library Use
It’s Showtime for Instruction Librarians: The Making of Short Films for Marketing and InstructionALA LIRT. Sun., Jun. 24, 8 a.m.–noon. Apryl Price, Yolanda Hood, Deborah VanPetten, and Emily Rogers (all faculty and/or librarians at Valdosta State Univ., GA) join Nancy Colborn and Vincci Kwong (Indiana Univ.) to discuss how to make library instruction videos.
Intellectual Freedom
Intellectual Freedom: Who’s Responsible, Who’s Job Is It?ALTA. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Alonzo Robertson (legislative attorney, U.S. National Security Agency) will discuss the Patriot Act, followed by a panel discussion on who and how to manage intellectual freedom issues. A perspective rarely heard at ALA.
English Only: Censorship and Its Impact on Latino Children and Young Adults in School and Public Libraries.REFORMA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. How librarians must confront English-only initiatives that result in censorship and how they impact first language acquisition, literacy, and collection development. Don’t miss friend of libraries and dynamic champion of justice Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Houston, TX, librarian Rose Trevino on this burning issue. You need to know this.
Status of Recent Litigation Affecting Libraries
IFC. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A report on projects undertaken or monitored by the Freedom To Read Foundation by Theresa Chmara (FTRF Counsel, Jenner & Block) and John W. Berry (president, FTRF).
Essential Liberty or National Security: Is It Really Necessary To Give Up the One for the Other?IFC. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Richard Posner (author, Not a Suicide Pact: The Constitution in a Time of National Emergency, and judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit) and Geoffrey Stone (author, Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime) will debate. Important.
International Librarianship
Darfur: The Library’s Responsibility and Our Community’s Need To Know
ALA SRRT. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. SRRT promises “thought-provoking discussion on the genocide in Darfur,” with a focus on the history of the conflict, the role of the Sudanese government, the international community response, and how librarians can create public awareness.
The Internationalization of Library Education
ALA IRC. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. An international cast on advances in library education called for by the Bologna Process—training of new generations of library professionals and the development of a joint European curriculum that will enable professional mobility.
Innovative Public Library Services Around the Globe; or, Learning from Our Global NeighborsPLA IC, ALA IRC. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hear about cutting-edge technology and programming from Chile, Scandinavia, Russia, and Singapore, including book-sorting robots, innovation in the new Santiago PL, Chile, and libraries in Scandinavia with over ten years of RFID experience.
Opportunities To Participate in Global Library Development (ISLD) Interest Group
IRRT. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. From becoming a Peace Corps volunteer to organizing a program in your library, hear about the opportunities to participate in global library development. Speakers: Anne Baker (National Peace Corps Assn.), Jane Kinney Meyers (Lubuto Lib. Project, Inc.), Joan Weeks (LC), and others.
Cultural Competence: Bridging the Gap Between What We Say and What We Do
REFORMA, ALA EMIERT. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Speakers will address cultural competence as an integral part of service delivery, work force equity, and leadership development. Hear Ghada K. Elturk (Boulder PL, CO), Paula M. Smith (Penn State Univ., Abington), Camila Alire (dean emeritus, Univ. of New Mexico and Colorado State Univ.), and José Aponte (San Diego Cty. Lib), facilitated by Roxana Benavides and Sandra Rios Balderrama.
Internet & Web
Can Blogs Be Trusted?ACRL LPSS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Jason Zengerle (The New Republic) on his experience as a journalist covering blogging, Jessamyn West (Metafilter.com) on blogs from a librarian’s perspective, and Eric Alterman (The Nation) on his blog Altercation. A blogrolling festival.
Eye to I: Visual Literacy Meets Information Literacy
ACRL IS, ACRL AS. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. The connections between visual and information literacies as seen by Cindy Cunningham (Corbis Corp.), Loanne Snavely (Penn State), and Danuta A. Nitecki (Yale). We must be beyond “real” literacy; you know, reading and writing.
Blogs & Related Technologies Panel
ACRL LPSS. Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5:30 p.m. Speakers “chosen through competitive peer-review” will discuss their research, expertise, and best practices about blogs and related technology.
Once Upon a Furl in a Podcast Long Ago: Using New Technologies To Support Library Instruction
ACRL WSS. Mon., Jun. 25, 8 a.m.–noon. Creative use of new technologies—blogs, Podcasts, RSS feeds, and social bookmarks—in the classroom.
ALCTS President’s Program: Ambient Findability: Librarians, Libraries and the Internet of Things.
ALCTS. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Peter Morville (adjunct at Univ. of Michigan; Ambient Findability) explores the future of mobile devices, search algorithms, digital libraries, and findable objects. Useful perspective.
Wiking the Blog and Walking the Dog—Social Software, Virtual Reality, and Authority Everywhere
PLA LDC. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A gang of library innovators with creative and practical initiatives in web-based information services. How library use of social software is becoming common and easy. Just ask LJ Movers & Shakers Helene Blowers (PL of Charlotte & Mecklenburg Cty., NC), Meredith Farkas (Norwich Univ., VT), John Blyberg (Darien Lib., CT), and Lori Bell (Alliance Lib. Syst., IL). The library ahead!
Leadership
LAMA President’s Program
LAMA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. In celebration of LAMA’s 50th anniversary, 2007 president Andrea Lapsley presents leadership expert Frances Hesselbein (recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom; founding president of the Drucker Foundation; chair, Board of Governors, Leader to Leader Inst.; and former chief executive of the Girl Scouts) on her favorite topic.
Leadership or Management: Which Is It?
ACRL ULS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Ways to develop future leaders and managers according to Julie Todaro (Austin Community Coll., TX), Karen Williams (Univ. of Minnesota), Shelley Phipps (Univ. of Arizona, Tucson), Sheldon McCorn (UCLA). ULS Social follows. The current bosses want to educate their replacements. The answer to their program title is “both,” of course.
Legislation & Lobbying
Library Day on the HillALA. Tues., Jun. 26, noon–6 p.m. You ought to join hundreds of ALA conferees for this show of talent to members of Congress. The day includes a hearing on the importance of libraries and displays in the Halls of Congress. Buses will take you to visit your members in the afternoon, and you’ll be prepped with informational handouts, perfect for educating members on the impact of libraries on American life. [Update June 20: The special reception planned for 4–6 p.m. has been canceled.] A free event, but advanced registration is required.
Literacy
Lessons from the Field: Effective Tools for Telling Your Library’s Literacy Story
FOLUSA. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. About a new online tool designed to help libraries report on the impact of literacy activities, the Library Literacy Assessment Platform. Members of the fielding-testing group will tell stories and demonstrate.
Managing libraries
Finding New and Creative Solutions Through Library Think Tanks
ASCLA ICAN. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Kathryn Deiss (ACRL) led the Metropolitan Lib. Syst., IL, to create its Zephyr Project. Elizabeth Thomsen (Noble, Inc.) will describe how Massachusetts library leaders developed a think tank to explore cultural and technological developments for libraries. Meredith Farkas (Norwich Univ., VT) is raising a ruckus with her Library Success Wiki. Another program on Burger’s “Transformation Track.”
Marketing
Word of Mouth Marketing Is Everybody’s Job
PLA LDC. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The importance of word of mouth, the most powerful form of advertising, says the magnificent Peggy Barber (consultant, Lib. Communication Strategies, Chicago) and her colleague Pamela Jaskot (consultant, State Lib. of North Carolina). Delightful experts.
Roadmap to Targeted Marketing: Collections, Campaigns and Customers
PLA ICC. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. This gang—Christie Koontz (GeoLib, Florida State), Raymond Santiago (Miami-Dade PL Syst., FL), Susan Waxter (Baltimore Cty. PL), and Bob Molyneux (SirsiDynix)—says library managers must identify “customer markets,” i.e., user groups, as an essential process for cost-effective delivery of targeted programs and services. Useful stuff, despite the B-School jargon.
Outreach Services
How To Engage New Learners @ Your Library
ALA OLOS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Capture those nontraditional adult and YA learners: Author Gretchen Laskas (The Midwife’s Tale) will demonstrate how to open eyes to unique and special ways of seeing the world, and Vanessa Morris, former teen librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia, will show how street lit discussion groups use popular genres (often unpopular with librarians) to engage urban teens.
Libraries, Immigrants and the American ExperienceALA EMIERT. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Plummer Alston Jones (Libraries, Immigrants, and the American Experience) reviews library services to immigrants, followed by presentations from immigrants from diverse backgrounds on how American libraries have empowered immigrants, refugees, and minorities. Hope CNN’s immigrant basher Lou Dobbs and Congressman Tom Tancredo are listening. Libraries are open to all, “legal” or not.
The American Dream Starts @ Your Library
ALA OLOS. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Experts and practitioners identify the issues, discuss service options, and showcase best practices for serving immigrants.
Serving Low-Income People Effectively: Ideas and Practices for Libraries
ALA OLOS. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Speakers from advocacy organizations and libraries will discuss ideas to help serve low-income users.
Doors Opening: Library Services for the Poor and Homeless
ALA SRRT. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A panel, including members of ALA’s OLOS, the SRRT Hunger, Homeless, and Poverty Task Force, the Institute for Children and Poverty, and several librarians, will discuss ALA roles in providing services for the poor, homeless, and excluded.
Aging Issues for GLBT Patrons
ALA GLBTRT. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. The gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community faces the same issues as any aging population but with little of the guidance and support offered to others. This program will address this community’s specific concerns and needs.
Senior Sizzle: Library Links with Seniors
ALA OLOS. Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5:30 p.m. In Library Links with Seniors (LLS) community volunteers, not library staff, use library materials to present programs at senior care homes around Plano, TX. Speaker Susan Rhoads is the LLS liaison there.
Ready or Not Here I Come: Providing Transition Services for Inmates
ASCLA LSSPS. Mon., Jun. 25, 8–10 a.m. How community libraries can help provide programs and resources to help to make ex-offender transitions back to the community easier.
The Data and Information Behind “Truth”ALA SRRT. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Fred Stoss (ALA TF on the Environment) was trained by Al Gore and the Climate Project to present the slide show that is the basis for Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. He will review the data and information resources. An urgent matter.
Zine-a-paloosa 2007! or, Zines in Public Libraries
PLA LDC. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Zines are now the hot new addition to any public library collection. They offer information and entertainment not found elsewhere and attract patrons (especially teens), build relationships, and help redefine what libraries are about. Hear all that from Julie Bartel (Judge Memorial Catholic H.S. Lib., UT), Miriam DesHarnais and Julie Wilde Harrison (Baltimore Cty. PL), Brooke Young (Salt Lake City PL), and Jennifer May and Emily-Jane Dawson (Multnomah Cty. Lib., OR).
Personnel Management
Who’s in Charge? I Am?! How To Be the Person in Charge; How To Train Your Staff To Be in Charge
PLA LDC. Sat. Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Skills needed to be a manager, including how to increase staff confidence and effectiveness when they take the reins, according to Adrianne Peterson (Jefferson Cty. PL, CO) and Ann Bever, Mary Jo Giudice, and Marcia Trent (all Dallas PL).
NMRT President’s Program: Navigating the Rapids: Myths and Realities of Intergenerational Workplaces
ALA NMRT. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Pat Wagner (Pattern Research) will discuss “intergenerational” workplaces. But, hey! Those myths are reality!
Transforming Your Staff
ALA Governance. Sun., Jun. 24, 8–10 a.m. Hire and motivate staff to provide flexible, responsive, innovative, and transformational services and deal with those who don’t, from Jennifer Morris (Pioneer Lib. Syst., NY), Pam Sandlian Smith (West Palm Beach PL, FL), Tom Galante (Queens PL, NY), Maureen Sullivan (Consultant), and Stanley Wilder (Univ. of Rochester, NY). Another Burger “Transformation Track” show, and she says they were successful. If I worked for ’em, I’m not sure I’d want to be “transformed,” though. Call the union and check it out.
Learning for Library Staff: Make It Blended—Not on the Rocks!
ALA CLENERT. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Presented by WebJunction, which may explain the cutesy title. Managing training and professional development with an increasing array of online learning methods. Laura Staley (WebJunction) will facilitate a discussion among Nini Beegan (Maryland Online Learning Coord.), Mary Ross (Seattle PL), and Michelle Leininger (State Lib. of Iowa) on “blended” learning initiatives. Useful stuff.
The Art and Science of Staffing, Structure and Organizational Design in an Age of Permanent Change
PLA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Consultant Paula Singer (Singer Group, Inc.) and Gail Griffith (Carroll Cty. PL, MD) on how to ensure that the library is “positioned to be ahead of the curve, rather than reactive.” It is about managing staff.
Survivor @ the Library: Staff Redistribution in Trying Times
PLA ICC. Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5:30 p.m. How to deal with resistance from staff when redistributing them. Promises “success stories” about floating staff, etc., from Carol Johnson (Houston PL, TX) and Susan Herzog (PL of Charlotte & Mecklenburg Cty., NC). We’d like to hear from the trenches, the staff who got “redistributed.” Trying times indeed.
Embracing Change: How To Energize and Engage Library Staff
ACRL CLS. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Adaptation, nimble organizations, mindful managers, dedicated employees, and creative work environments—perfect ways to change and become perfect.
Paul Reveres or Benedict Arnolds? Whistleblowing in the Post 9/11 Age
ALA IFC. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Features Sibel Edmonds (Natl. Security Whistleblowers), who was fired by the FBI for reporting shoddy work and security breaches that might have contributed to the inability to stop the 9/11 attacks. She will explain how government secrecy can be abusive and why defending whistle-blowing is free speech. Important.
Benefits You Can Afford
ALA APA. Mon., Jun. 25, 4–5 p.m. Jim Brown (Actors’ Fund of America) will discuss rights and protections, purchasing private health insurance, government-subsidized plans, negotiating hospital bills, and pharmacy cards. Useful if you need it.
Placement
Placement ServicesALA HRDR. Placement services will be available during the conference. Check the final program for place and time. Job seekers register and search for jobs at www.joblist.ala.org.
Mentoring for Success: You Can Do It. ALCTS Can Help
ALCTS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm. Roles of mentors and mentees, characteristics of a good mentor, elements of a successful mentoring program, and more, from Shoshana Kaufmann (Queens Coll., NY), Priscilla Williams (CETRC Mentoring Subcmte.), and Rhonda Marker (Rutgers Univ. Libs.).
The ACRL Spectrum Scholar Mentor Program: The Experiences of Mentors
and Mentees
ACRL. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The ACRL Dr. E.J. Josey Spectrum Scholar Mentor Program should be of interest to all concerned about recruiting.
Planning
Transforming Your Services: Your Customer Has Been Transformed, So Where Is Your Library?
ALA Governance. Sat,. Jun. 23, 9:30 a.m.–noon. Karen Hyman (South Jersey Regional Lib. Co-op.), George Needham (OCLC), and Joan Frye Williams (IT consultant) promise to tell how to find out what people want and where your library is in that picture. They’ll discuss high-impact new services that could transform, like Leslie Burger says.
The Balanced Scorecard: The Results Please!
LAMA MAES. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The Balanced Scorecard, a tool to enable library management to focus on customers, their needs, and demands for library services, explained by James Self (Univ. of Virginia Lib.), Joe Matthews (Matthews Assocs.), David J. Palmer (Chula Vista PL, CA), and Deborah A. Nolan (Towson Univ., MD).
To Change Your Library, Change Your Mind!
LAMA HRS. Sun., Jun. 24, 4–5:30 p.m. Cynthia M. Kisby (Univ. of Central Florida) and Suzanne E. Holler (Central Florida Lib. Co-op.) on change management, including what libraries should do about Google, institutional repositories, digital reference, information literacy, metadata, and more in terms of leadership and change strategies.
Survey Fatigue? An Rx for Avoiding the Problem
LAMA MAES. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Practical strategies to reduce survey fatigue, improve surveys, and alternative approaches for evaluating services, from Wendy Starkweather (Univ. of Nevada), Keith Lance (Colorado Dept. of Ed.), Steve Hiller (Univ. of Washington Libs.), and Meg Scharf (Univ. of Central Florida Libs.).
Programs
Break on Through to the Other Side: Cultural Programming for New Librarians
ALA PPO, NMRT. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. How to develop cultural programming for your library’s community. Give Kara Giles (ALA PPO) and Frannie Ashburn (Ctr. for the Book, NC) a listen.
More Shining Stars: Award-Winning Programs from Small and Medium-Sized Public Libraries
PLA LDC. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A panel of award winners from small and medium-sized public libraries will show a remarkable range of creativity in developing services and programs that can be replicated by other libraries.
Programming Not Just for Boomers: Programming and Services
PLA LSC, ALA OLOS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. An overview of successful public library collaborative learning adventures, services and programs, from Allan Kleinman (Old Bridge PL, NJ), Rita Rouse (PL of Charlotte & Mecklenburg Cty., NC), and Marshall Shore (Maricopa Cty. Lib. Dist., Phoenix).
Partnerships Produce Successful Cultural Programs
ALA PPO. Sun., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Susan Brandehoff (ALA PPO) and Patricia Tuohy (NLM) on working with partners outside the library for successful cultural programs
Prime Time Family Reading Time®: A Model Outreach Program
ALA PPO. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. How your library can reach underserved or never-served families through this family literacy program.
Public Relations
Swap & Shop—Celebrate PR!
LAMA PRMS. Sun., Jun. 24, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The annual showcase of PR materials—event promotions, newsletters, calendars, reading clubs, and so much more, including winners of the “Best of Show” competition. Pick up free samples.
Ignite Your Library’s Public Relations and Outreach Using Hot Technologies
LAMA PRMS. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. p.m. Michael Stephens (GSLIS, Dominican Univ.) is worth the whole time, but you also get Steven Bell (Temple Univ.) and Helene Blowers (PL of Charlotte & Mecklenburg Cty., NC) on ways to incorporate the latest technologies into library promotion. They’re all hot bloggers and LJ Movers & Shakers, of course. Don’t miss this one.
Mildly Delirious Libraries: Transforming Your Library from Top to Bottom
PLA. Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Promises to deliver ways to move your library from uninspired to wildly successful, significantly build library support using the G.A.S.P. process as it played out at West Palm Beach PL, FL.
Reference
President’s Program: Time Odyssey: Visions of Reference and User Services
RUSA. Mon., Jun. 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A grand list of experts will imagine the information world ten years from now. Can’t wait to hear how it will all turn out.
Rural Libraries
Rural Library Sustainability Forum
ALA OLOS. Fri., Jun. 22, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Participants from over 30 states will participate in this forum on the Rural Library Sustainability Project. Discover new connections, as well as strategies for tackling the challenges.
Rural and Small Libraries vs. Small Salaries
ALA OLOS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Carol Barta ( North Central Kansas Libs. Syst.; ALA Cmte. on Rural, Native and Tribal Libs.), Jenifer Grady (ALA-APA), Judy Rule (Cabell Cty. PL, WV), and Amy Grasmick (Kimball PL, VT) on how small and rural libraries can make their salaries more competitive in order to attract qualified staff.
Tuning in on Rural, Native, Tribal Libraries of All Kinds: A Town Hall Meeting
ALA OLOS. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Issues unique to the majority of libraries will come up here.
Salaries
Salary Surveys—What the Librarian and Non-MLS Surveys Tell Us
ALA APA. Fri., Jun. 22, 10:30–11:30 a.m. A summary and update of the APA Librarian and Non-MLS Salary Surveys by Jenifer Grady (ALA-APA).
Getting Even: Evelyn Murphy Tells How Library Staff Can Get Paid FairlyAPA. Fri., Jun. 22, 2–4 p.m. Evelyn Murphy (founder, WAGE Project;Getting Even: Why Women Don’t Get Paid Like Men and What To Do About It) will suggest how library workers can mobilize to get fair pay.
Open Mike on Salaries in Libraries: Your Opinion Counts
ALA APA. Fri., Jun. 22, 4–5 p.m. “What do you think about library salaries and status?” says the program. “Don’t ask!” we respond. Complain and strategize at this open mike. Tom Galante (Queens Lib., NY) will speak, too.
Justice You Can Bank On: ALA, ALA-APA and the National Committee on Pay EquityALA APA. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A brief history of the ALA and APA relationship with the National Committee on Pay Equity, from Michele Leber (Natl. Cmte. on Pay Equity), Connie Cordovilla (American Federation of Teachers), and Elisabeth Gehl (Business and Professional Women-USA).
Getting What You’re Worth Salary Workshop.
ALA APA. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. This interactive session will provide the opportunity to learn the principles of salary negotiation during interviews and promotions and engage in mock negotiations.
Scholarly Publishing
Academic Publishing: A Mock Peer-Review Workshop
ACRL DLS. Sat., Jun. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The program will open with a section award ceremony, followed by a 30-minute speech by an academic journal editor on scholarly publishing and the peer-review process, and then conclude with a 30-minute mock peer-review workshop of preselected research (in various stages of completion) for attendees to review informally and critique prior to submission for publication.
ACRL/SPARC ForumACRL. Sat., Jun. 23, 4–5 p.m. Aims to broaden the base of academic librarians who know about and are engaged in scholarly communication issues. Usually excellent.
Social Networks
Harnessing the Hive: Social Networks and Libraries
RUSA MARS. Sun., Jun. 24, 10:30 a.m.–noon. All about innovative outreach and reference services that use social software such as tagging, blogging, and wikis to reach online users and social networking such as YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, cell texting, and podcasting. Hear Matthew Bejune (Purdue), Meredith Farkas (Norwich Univ., VT), and Tim Spaulding (LibraryThing).
Support Staff
Conference Within a Conference for Library Support Staff: Empowerment 2007: Mama Said There’d be Days Like This (but I Didn’t Believe Her)
LSSIRT, HRDR. Sat., Sun., Jun. 23, 24. See the full program for a variety of programson topics such as career paths, e-learning, wellness, safety and security, and diversity.
Trustees
ALTA’s President’s Program: From Advocate to Player: Trustees Transforming Libraries
ALTA. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Consultants Ellen Miller and Rose Mosely on community decision-making and understanding what the six major community tables are.
Opening Session for Library Trustees: Trustees, Friends and Library Staff: Developing an Effective Library Advocacy Network!
ALTA. Sat., Jun. 23, 8–10 a.m. For Trustees on combatting pressure on library budgets and developing effective library advocacy networks, with a focus on Brooklyn PL’s annual efforts with City Hall, from Dionne Mack-Harvin (the new Exec. Dir.), Steven Schechter (Govt. and Community Relations), and Jerry Aiello (Friends & Volunteer Svcs.), all from the Brooklyn PL, NY.
Technology for Trustees
ALTA. Sun., Jun. 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m. What trustees should ask before librarians invest in RFID and self-check systems, according to Dale Ross (Ames PL Trustees, IA), Christine Lind Hage (Rochester Hills PL, MI), Larry Neal (Clinton-Macomb PL, GA), Andrew Pace (NCSU, Raleigh), and Karen Schneider (Free Range Librarian blogger). Hard to figure why a couple of these people ought to advise trustees, but why not? Trustees need to know more.
Women’s Issues
Introduction to Women’s Issues at ALA, “I’m not a feminist” SRRT FTF. Sat., Jun. 23, 1:30–3:30 p.m. “I’m not a feminist, but....” How you finish that sentence could inform the development of agenda in SRRT FTF, COSWL, ACRL’s WSS, or GLBTRT. Representatives from these and other groups will be there to learn what you think the issues are and to tell you about opportunities to participate. Don’t miss it.
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