Anaheim, ALA 2008: Shifting with the Paradigm
LJ's Picks & Pans for ALA in Disneyland
By John N.Berry III -- Library Journal, 6/1/2008
The feelings of librarians planning for the American Library Association (ALA) conference at Disneyland (aka Anaheim, CA, June 26–July 2) range from moderate pleasure to dread. Some remember the joys and difficulties of Orlando, especially the exorbitant cab fares and mediocre restaurants. Others quail at screaming kids and tourists in flip-flops, or are happy to be able to bring along their own spouse and offspring, knowing they will be entertained.
No huge issues
Every librarian in any library of any type faces the daunting challenges of moving fast enough to keep up with the shift afflicting libraries and all other institutions. Many conference programs welcome it and relish the technological and social changes ahead. Others offer advice on such menacing ideas as cutting staff to accommodate more machines or self-service librarianship. There are no other “burning issues” on the ALA conference agenda this year. Sure, there is the tired, old debate about how to reform library education that will pit educators who favor the “let a thousand flowers bloom” LIS philosophy against a growing chorus of practitioners pushing for more standardized curricula enforced by ALA accreditation.
A debate over how much of ALA's business can be done online, with members participating from wherever they have access to a computer instead of paying the increasingly high price to attend conferences, may change ALA's methods and its revenue.
Tracks and consultants
The preliminary program is as confusing and trackbound as always. The tracks seem to force folks to take part in only what they already know about, providing merely vague guidance as to what the programs in a given track really share. Beyond that, there are far too many consultants using the program to promote their services and firms, ranging from technology to head-hunting.
LJ's Picks & Pans are offered to help you find your way to the useful, entertaining programs, or the ones you need, without having to spend the effort to dig them out of the official ALA tome. As always, a star (*) by a program means we think it has great potential to inform, be useful, or entertain. Off to Anaheim!
ADVOCACY
Libraries Prosper with Passion, Purpose & Persuasion! A Toolkit for Success
PLA. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Learn about the PLA advocacy tool kit and how it is being used in libraries, from consultant Laura K. Lee Dellinger (Metropolitan Group) and Kathleen Reif (St. Mary's Cty. Lib., MD).
ALA POLITICS
ALA Council/Exec Bd./Membership Info Session
Sun., Jun. 29, 9–10 a.m. A good place to find out what is on the ALA agenda.
*ALA Council
I, Sun., Jun. 29, 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.; II, Tues., Jul. 1, 9:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.; III, Wed., Jul. 2, 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m. There's always a bit of controversy on the agenda of ALA's policymaking legislature. This year, for example, a proposal about ALA standards for LIS education could spark warfare, along with the usual efforts to get ALA to take stands on issues before America. The trick is to wait until Council II and III when debate usually begins.
ALA-APA Info Session
Sun., Jun. 29, 10 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Find out if APA is viable yet.
ALA-APA Council
Mon., Jun. 30, 10:15–11:15 a.m. Hear what Council can do about it.
ALA E-Participation: Challenges and Opportunities; ALA Membership Meetings
Sat., Jun. 23, 3:30–5 p.m.; Mon., Jun. 30, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Discussion of virtual ALA committee members, electronic meetings, and open-to-all ALA email lists aimed to expand access and participation. Questions: Why pay to go to ALA if you can do it from your computer? How will ALA make up for lost revenue? Janet Swan Hill, chair of the Task Force on E-Member Participation, will introduce both meetings. Pro or con, this is clearly gonna happen. Then she and the committee will take questions. After that, a “leaders” session with ALA Prexy Loriene Roy, Prexy-to-be Jim Rettig, and Exec Keith Fiels.
ARCHIVES
21st Century Data Curation for Archives, Libraries and Museums
SAA/ALA/AAM Jt. Cmte. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Digital curation, or digital collection/information management, now in its infancy, could be the way ahead for museums, libraries, etc. Traditional curatorial practices cover physical objects, but when the collection is digital files, new ways to share new best practices will be coming, as seen by Jana Bradley (Univ. of Arizona SIRLS), Bryan Heidorn (Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, GSLIS), Chris Freeland (Missouri Botanical Garden).
AUDIOVISUAL
*Moving Image Collections: Surveying Tools and Preservation Basics
ACRL RBMS, ACRL ARTS, PARS. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. How to assess and prioritize moving image preservation with available tools, current approaches. Features Snowden Becker (Ctr. for Home Movies), Hannah Frost (Stanford), and Michael Pogorzelski (Acad. of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences).
AUTOMATING LIBRARIES
RFID in Libraries: The Myths, FAQs, and ROI
LITA. Sat., Jun. 28, 8–10 a.m. Promises to “dispel the myths” and deliver facts and ROI info. A team of experts who use RFID (and therefore favor its use) will discuss concerns like, “Does RFID interfere with other systems? Can RFID produce a return on investment?” Damn little of such evidence is around so far. Be wary!
Staying Alive: Books Through Printon Demand Technology
ALCTS. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Library options with print on demand technology from binder Bruce Jacobsen (Bridgeport National Bindery, CT), Lynn Terhune (POD head for John Wiley), Gary Frost (Univ. of Iowa), and Kristin McDonough (NYPL). What does this have to do with “staying alive”?
Building and Supporting Koha, an Open-Source ILS
LITA. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Technical details of getting, using, and supporting a Koha system, from Joshua Ferraro (LibLime, a company selling tech support) and John Houser (PALINET).
What the User Expects and How To Get There
PLA LDC, RUSA. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–5:30 p.m. Denise Siers (King Cty. Lib. Syst., WA) on what is available and how to use it to compete in the provision of easy-to-navigate and -understand interfaces.
Transformational Change: The Evolving Role of Library IT Departments
LITA. Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. Library systems and IT departments and personnel move from traditional support roles to partners in developing new services and organizational change, as seen by Robin Hastings (Missouri River Reg. Lib.), Carole Kiehl (UC-Irvine), and Terry Nikkel (Univ. of New Brunswick, St. John).
*Top Technology Trends
LITA. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3 p.m. The ongoing discussion of trends in library technology by LITA technology experts. Usually practical and interesting.
Providing Technology Services on the Front Lines
RUSA MARS. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Reinventing public spaces to create room for library users to work collaboratively with technology and how library staff adapt.
Legal Issues in Developing Open Source Systems for Libraries
LITA. Mon., Jun. 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Legal issues and implications of open source projects, including copyright and intellectual property concerns, with a speaker promised from the Software Freedom Law Center. Should be helpful.
PACs in the Library 2.0 World
PLA LDC. Mon., Jun. 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon. New technologies to make the PAC search more accurate, user-friendly, and community based, including federated searching, del.icio.us, AquaBrowser, and interactive tools such as user-submitted book reviews, from Jesse Haro and Ross McLachlan (Barr Central Lib., Phoenix), Mary Catherine Little (Queens Lib., NY), Grace Lillevig (eBranch libn., Harris Cty. PL, Houston, TX), and Eli Neiburger (Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI).
*Keeping Your Computers Up and Running—We Can Help!
LITA. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Help to support public access computing, even with limited in-house techies—resources that staff can use, from Barbara Gersh (MaintainIT Project), Diane Neal (North Carolina Central Univ.), and Michael Porter (WebJunction). Strong panel, spot-on info.
Collaborative Digital Initiatives: Show and Tell and Lessons Learned
LITA, ALCTS PARS. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. How collaborating can be a way to combine strengths and enrich collections, featuring folks from the South Carolina Digital Library and Florida's PALMM project.
BOOKMOBILES
Mobile Libraries: Driving Library Services into the Future
ALA OLOS. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Promises “inspiration and practical ideas for mobile library service.” Concludes with an inspirational lunch presentation by author Masha Hamilton (The Camel Bookmobile), Susan Hill-Pieper (Paulding Cty. Carnegie Lib., GA), Terry Sterling (Fresno Cty. Lib., CA), Michael Swendrowski (Speciality Vehicles Svcs.), Kathleen Mayo (Lee Cty. Lib. Syst., FL), Jody Olivieri (Homer Twp. PL, IL), Theresa Gemmer (Everett PL, WA), and Tena Wilson (Cleveland PL).
BUILDINGS
Sustainable Libraries: Shades of Green
LAMA BES. Sat., Jun. 28, 8–10 a.m. Updates on evolving “green” opportunities for library buildings from architects Jeffrey Hoover, William Brown, and Sarah Schuler, plus Steve Thomas (Ohio Twp. Lib., Newburgh, IN).
Tomorrow's Library in Today's Space: Redesigning and Repurposing Existing Library Spaces
LAMA BES. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Innovation through redesigned spaces, from Jay Schafer (Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst), Troy Ainsworth and Fletcher Farr (Ayotte Architecture), David Zavortink (Camas PL, WA), and Susan Gibbons (Univ. of Rochester, NY). Exciting projects from exciting libraries.
People Spaces in Libraries: The Community Off-line Experience
LAMA BES. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. The need to go beyond the stacks and computer terminals, to human contact and interaction in library design, according to architects Jeffrey Hoover, James Mumby, and Henry Myerburg, plus Peter Magnani (Capital Planning, Queens Lib., NY), Diantha Schull (Americans for Libs. Council), and Beverly Martin (Johnson Cty. PL, IN).
*Avoid Gray Hair! Jumpstart a Passion for Building: Three Steps to an Extraordinary New Library for Your Community or Campus
LAMA BES. Sun., Jun. 29, 8–10 a.m. A step-by-step way to articulate a vision of the community or campus library, enhance the building program, and establish a fundraising method, from Malcolm Holzman (Holzman Moss Architecture), Marilyn Gell Mason (WebJunction), George B. Forsythe (Westminster Coll., Fulton, MO), and Howard Taylor (San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, TX). Important for anyone planning new or renovated buildings, despite the dumb “gray hair” title.
ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards Reception
LAMA BES. Mon., Jun. 30, 5–7 p.m. The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and ALA's LAMA present these awards biennially to interior designers and architects for excellence in interior design of libraries. It is unlikely tickets are worth the high prices: LAMA member: $50; ALA and nonmember: $65; student/retired: $25.
Top Building Trends
LAMA BES. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A panel with librarians, consultants, architects, and “others” will overview what is new in academic, school, or public library architecture and design. Among the panelists: James L. Mullins (Purdue Univ.), William W. Sannwald (San Diego State Univ.), consultant Joan Frye Williams, and Carol Wedge (Shepley Bulfinch Richardson & Abbott).
CATALOGING & METADATA
*Dewey or Don't We
PLA LSC, RUSA. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. How the Maricopa County Lib. Dist., AZ, implemented its much talked about non-Dewey “bookstore” model featuring Deputy Director Cindy Kolaczynski, Adult Services Coordinator Marshall Shore (an LJ Mover & Shaker), and Director Harry Courtright, probably the most discussed librarian in the Southwest. Should be entertaining.
There's No Catalog Like No Catalog: The Ultimate Debate on the Future of the Library Catalog
LITA. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Promises a panel of experts to argue all the issues related to whether or not we still need library catalogs.
Getting Ready for RDA and FRBR: What You Need To Know
ALCTS CCS. Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. How to prepare for the new Resource Description and Access (RDA) coming next year to replace AACR2, from Barbara Tillett (LC), Glen Patton (OCLC), and Shawne D. Miksa (chair, RDA Implementation Task Force). You need to know it, but, oy, what a zzzzzz!
*Creating the Future of the Catalog and Cataloging
ALCTS CCS. Sun., Jun. 29, 8 a.m.–noon. Hear Martha Yee (UCLA Film & Television Archive), Jennifer Bowen (Univ. of Rochester, NY), Tim Spalding (LibraryThing), Diane Hillman (Cornell Digital Lib. Research Group), and Robert Wolven (Columbia Univ.) on the potential of global information networks and new tools like WorldCat Local, the eXtensible Catalog, faceted browsing, and new concepts like “ambient findability” on the future of catalogs, cataloging, and catalogers. You gotta hear this.
CERTIFICATION
A National Certification Program for Library Support Staff: Progress and Challenges
Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Karen Strege and Nancy Bolt (ALA/Western Council Library Support Staff Certification Project) will report their first year's activity, discuss competencies for support staff, and future plans.
CHILD CARE
Child Care and Camp ALA
Fri., Jun. 27–Tues., July 1. ACCENT on Children's Arrangements, Inc., has planned a great children's activity center for kids of conferencegoers. ACCENT, a professional childcare firm, is run by “fun-loving professionals with plenty of experience with children.” Camp ALA welcomes children ages six months to 17 years, with optional field trips for children ages six and up. Parents pay $48 per child per day, and ALA funds $32 per child per day. An optional $15 lunch is available. For a field trip day, which includes lunch, parents pay $58 per child, and ALA funds $32 per child per day. A $10 nonrefundable registration fee per child is required.
*Care Crisis in Libraries and Librarians
COSWL. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. An open discussion of what library employers can do to help women caught between their jobs and caring for children, grandchildren, and aging parents. An important issue in a largely female field in tough times.
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
Reviews Outside the Mainstream
RUSA CODES. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Review sources for materials not covered by traditional review media and alternative sources for all types of reviews.
*Reading Pictures: The Language of Wordless Books
ACRL LES. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Eric Drooker (Flood! A Novel in Pictures and Blood Song), Perry Willett (Univ. of Michigan; The Silent Shout), David A. Beronä (Plymouth State Univ.; Wordless Books), and Juliet M. Kerico (Southern Illinois Univ.) promise “a visually stunning” look at the history of adult wordless books from the early 20th century. They'll cover visual storytelling, controversial social issues in adult wordless books, and guidelines for using those publications. Already a staple in many libraries.
*Making the Switch from Print to Online: Why, When and How?
ALCTS CMDS. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Consultant Judy Luther (Informed Strategies), Tim Bucknall (Univ. of North Carolina, Greensboro), Rick Anderson (Univ. of Utah), Noella Owen (Springer Verlag), and Kim Steinle (Duke Univ. Pr.) on switching totally from print to online. Essential.
COPYRIGHT
*Media Literacy, Artistic Expression, and Copyright
ACRL Copyright Cmte., Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Copyright and the creative use of media. Media professor Renee Hobbs (Temple Univ.) on how students and faculty use media as “knowledge creators.” Mary Rasenberger (LC) will tackle “fair use” and the new Section 108 Study's recommendations, and Marybeth Peters (U.S. Copyright Office) will discuss tensions between the existing law and what users want. Very important; don't miss it.
Hot Topics in Copyright
OITP. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Current copyright issues including pending legislation, court rulings, and the outcome of the Section 108 Study.
DIVERSITY & LIBRARIES
An Endangered Species: The Black Male Librarian
BCALA. Sat., Jun. 28, 8–10 a.m. “Blacks may be rendered extinct as information professionals....” In 2000, less than five percent of MLS librarians were black, and only three percent of male MLS librarians were black. Learn about strategies and goals to promote black male librarians and black male leaders in librarianship.
Empowering Library Staff To Reach Out to Spanish Speakers
REFORMA. Sat., Jun. 28, 8–10 a.m. Aimed at the information and technology needs of Spanish speakers, WebJunction's Spanish Language Outreach Program, in partnership with 36 state libraries, has conducted over 300 workshops and trained over 4000 library staff to reach out to Spanish speakers. Learn about several successful programs and key lessons learned.
Diversity 101
DIVERSITY. Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. The basics on conference sessions, groups, initiatives, and opportunities to get involved across library organizations.
*Digitizing Indian Country
AILA. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Focus on digitization projects by tribal communities, archives, libraries, and museums preserving American Indian tribal culture and historical documents. Hear Carlene Engstrom on the CharKoosta Tribal Newspaper Digitization project, David Ongley on a survey of digitization projects in Alaska, and Jenifer Young on the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community's digitization project. The story of the first “Americans.”
President's Program: Libraries and Justice for All
REFORMA. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A discussion of the importance of Latinos involved in oral history projects, in higher education, and in other institutions working on research to tell the Latino story.
Diversity Currents! Weighing the Balance: Affirmative Action Update
DIVERSITY. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. The “Diversity Currents” series aims to ensure that all libraries lead the struggle for equitable access to knowledge and information resources in all formats for all people.
Developing Cultural Competency Guidelines in Academic Libraries: Meaning, Purpose, and Direction
ACRL. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–5:30 p.m. A panel discussion on developing cultural competency guidelines for academic libraries, a current project of ACRL's Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee. Topics include definitions of cultural competencies, the goal of the guidelines, obstacles, and the potential positive impact for libraries. Paul M. Smith (Penn State, Abington) will speak.
Diversity & Outreach Fair
OLOS. Sat., Jun. 28, 3–5 p.m. Special programs and services that can be replicated by other libraries, along with music, snacks, and “festive atmosphere.”
Nine Digits Away from My Dream: The Plight of Undocumented Students Seeking Higher Education in the U.S. and the Hope of the Dream Act
REFORMA. Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. A reading of an original play entitled Nine Digits Away from My Dream on the barriers and challenges faced by undocumented immigrant students in the United States, based on interviews with students living in Orange County, CA, without legal resident documents or that nine-digit Social Security card.
The Lady, the Tramp, and the Lion King: Mixed Messages About Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Disney's Magic Kingdom
ACRL ANSS. Sun., Jun. 29, 8 a.m.–noon. Keith M. Harris (UC-Riverside), Rebecca Blakeley (McNeese State Univ.), and others will critique Disney, exploring representations of race and gender in the company's media. I remember that chorus of “When I see an elephant fly....”
*Asian/Pacific American Leaders in Libraries: A Rare Commodity
OLOS. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Ethnically diverse library directors, deans, deputy directors, and managers are somewhat rare, and only a handful are of Asian/Pacific American background. Some of that handful—Heawon Paick (Junipero Serra Branch Lib.), Ben Wakashige (National American Univ.), Ling Hwey Jeng (Texas Woman's Univ.), and Patty Wong (Yolo Cty. Lib. Syst.)—will provide strategies to overcome obstacles and become leaders. Handy for any young librarian.
Lights! Camera! Action! African Americans in Film
ACRL AFAS. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Come and discover the historical, social, and political backstory of early black Hollywood before Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, and Forest Whitaker, through discussion, film clips, and photographs.
Beyond White Privilege 101: Continuing the Discussion
DIVERSITY. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A “facilitated discussion” to continue White Privilege 101 from ALA Midwinter. How our “circles of privilege and hidden biases” impact efforts to create an inclusive workforce.
Politics of Differences: Cultural Sensitivities and Global Ethics for Libraries and Librarians
ETHICS. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. How to build a global ethical framework for the library and information profession. How about a local one?
*ALA President's Program: Supporting Native Children's English and Native Language Literacy
Sun., Jun. 29, 3:30–5:30 p.m. Segments from WGBH-Boston's “Between the Lions” Head Start Initiative and the Claymation Animation Program by Cherokee illustrator, graphic novelist, and animator Roy Boney Jr., a Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Fellow. Also an update on planning programs around “We Shall Remain,” the January/February 2009 PBS American Experience series.
Coming to the Talking Circle
AILA. Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5:30 p.m. American Indian issues in the workplace and/or community addressed in a Talking Circle, to share initiatives, thoughts, concerns, and questions about library service to this constituency.
Charting Courses: Diversity Research Grants
DIVERSITY. Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5:30 p.m. The 2007 Diversity Research Grant recipients Karen E. Downing (Univ. of Michigan Hatcher Grad. Lib.), Mark Winston (SILS, UNC–Chapel Hill), Allison Rainey (MLIS student, SILS, UNC–Chapel Hill), and Allison M. Sutton (Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Lib.) will share findings.
EDUCATION FOR LIBRARIANS HIP
Leaders Wanted: Is an LIS Doctoral Program Right for You?
DIVERSITY. Sat., Jun. 28, 9 a.m.–noon. “Proven and emerging leaders” in LIS education promise to discuss the need for more doctoral students. The “Options Fair,” below, follows.
Leaders Wanted: LIS Doctoral Program Options Fair
DIVERSITY. Sat., Jun. 28, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. This fair immediately follows a panel of leaders in LIS education and practice outlining the benefits and steps to beginning a Ph.D. program. A chance to discuss opportunities and funding with doctoral students and faculty from Ph.D. programs nationwide.
Committee on Accreditation: Who and What
COA. Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5 p.m. Practitioners, academics, and public-at-large members of COA on what they do as accreditors.
FIRST TIMERS
Conference 101
NMRT. Fri., Jun. 27, 4–5 p.m. Promises a fun and effective introduction to ALA's annual conference in general and Anaheim in particular. Learn to navigate the conference and get involved. Features tips from the pros. Lots of free information, and it's worth every penny.
NMRT Conference Orientation
NMRT. Sat., Jun. 28, 8–10 a.m. Another fun, informative introduction to the 2008 ALA conference. More free information.
FRIENDS OF LIBRARIES
*Nuts and Bolts for Friends
FOLUSA. Pt. 1, Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon; Pt. 2, Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Friends, trustees, and librarians are invited to hear best practices for fundraising, membership building, advocacy, and effective relationships from experts on the FOLUSA board. Expert ideas Friends groups need.
FUNDRAISING
Library Fundraising on Steroids! Going Beyond the Used Book Sale...
PLA. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. New ideas for fundraising programs from the folks at Rancho Cucamonga PL, CA (Deborah Clark, Frances Howdyshell, Robert Karatsu, and Michelle Perera).
Preparing for Tomorrow by Looking Back at Yesterday
LSSRT. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Linda Slusar (Coll. of DuPage, IL) explores “good old-fashioned” library service and values like Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library Science to see how they relate to library 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 concepts.
*$$$ How To @ Your Library
ALTA. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Fundraising and development expert Susan Roman (GSLIS, Dominican Univ., IL) knows what you need to know to raise money for your library. Don't miss this.
Sharing the Wealth: Fundraising Tactics That Won't Break Your Budget (LAMA Fund Fare)
LAMA FRFDS. Mon., Jun. 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon. How to use partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborative efforts and get new ideas to ease the burden of fundraising while cultivating community relationships, from Candice Y. Gwin (Kirkwood PL, MO), Donna Bero (Friends of the San Francisco PL), and Elizabeth Titus (New Mexico State Univ.).
Using Data Analysis and Branding for Fundraising Success
LAMA FRFDS. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Critical components in donor cultivation and fundraising from consultant Bonnie Thomas-Sharksnas (BTS Consulting) and Gary Kramer (Pioneer Lib. Syst., OK).
FUTURE LIBRARIES
ASCLA President's Program: The Universal Library: Mind, Body, and Soul
ASCLA. Sun., Jun. 29, 8–10 a.m. The predictable panel on strategies for designing and maintaining a collection (physical and virtual) and a building to which everyone can gain access, with a staff that is diverse and reflective of all of the citizens. In other words, how to create library heaven, but by whom?
*LITA President's Program: Isn't It Great To Be in the Library—Wherever That Is?
LITA. Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5:30 p.m. Join Joe Janes (iSchool, Univ. of Washington) and that band of bloggers from OCLC's “It's All Good” (scanblog.blogspot.com) “examining the full social and cultural constructs of libraries that move beyond Web 2.0 and integrate patrons, librarians, and resources.” Integrating that stuff sounds just like the library we built before Web 2.0, even before Web 1.0! On “It's All Good” Chrystie Hill blogged the problem: “So fine, there's no recipe. There's no perfect process, no perfect 'plan for results.' I think I can deal with that,” she wrote. OK, Joe, we'll listen.
GALAS, PARTIES, BANQUETS
LITA 101: Open House
LITA. Fri., Jun. 27, 4–5:30 p.m. A chance for current and prospective LITAns to talk with LITA leaders and learn how to make connections and get more involved.
RUSA 101: Introduction to Our Division
RUSA. Fri., Jun. 27, 4–5:30 p.m. First-time attendees are welcome to come and learn more about RUSA.
FAFLRT Awards Reception
FAFLRT. Fri., Jun. 27, 4–6 p.m. Celebrate the Federal and Armed Forces Libraries Round Table scholarship and award winners with “a glass, a nibble, and a bite.”
*Many Voices, Many Nations: Anaheim
DIVERSITY. Fri., Jun. 27, 5:30–9 p.m. Hear Native writers use the spoken word to express varied ethnic, cultural, and lifestyle traditions and respect the presence of indigenous nations as sovereign. Promises “an unforgettable conference kickoff” for only $10.
ALA-APA Angels Reception: Celebrating Five Years of Progress
ALA-APA. Fri., Jun. 27, 7:30–9 p.m. ALA-APA fifth anniversary, honoring people and organizations that have helped it grow. ALA-APA was established to support pay equity initiatives to improve the salaries and status of librarians and other library workers but has put more emphasis on certification of individuals in library specializations because it makes money. I'd buy three tickets if APA would focus on salaries and benefits, even at $30 apiece. Michael Golrick, our man in Eau Claire, will emcee.
*ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash
Sat., Jun. 28, 7 p.m. Always a gas! At the Disneyland® Resort, a magical night is promised. Your ticket is valid for entry to either the Disneyland® Park (open until midnight, with fireworks) or Disney's California Adventure® Park (open until 9 p.m.). Tickets cost $40 in advance, $45 at the door, with proceeds going toward MLS scholarships. Good fun, good cause!
Fourth Annual Bookcart Drill Team World Championship
Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5:30 p.m. Enjoy the fun as librarians in creative costumes perform choreographed dance routines featuring book carts.
GLBTRT Social
GLBTRT. Sun., Jun. 29, 6–8 p.m. Network with friends and coworkers at the annual social, held offsite. Food and drinks and great conversation.
*International Librarians Reception
IRRT. Mon., Jun. 30, 6–8 p.m. Join the International Relations Round Table in welcoming and celebrating with librarians from more than 80 countries. Regional cuisine, hors d'oeuvres, and open bar: $35 for Yanks, free for international librarians.
*Alternative Media Reception
SRRT Alternative Media TF. Mon., Jun. 30, 7–10 p.m. The annual exhibit of local independent publishers and alternative media, this was “the Free Speech Buffet” (a lot better name) and is now in its 17th year. Browse, purchase, or just schmooze. Cash bar, desserts, only $15.
ALA Awards Ceremony
Tues., Jul. 1, 5:45 p.m. Just prior to the Inaugural Banquet and includes Beta Phi Mu Award, W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction, Melvil Dewey Medal, Equality Award, Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change, Gale Research Grant, Grolier Foundation Award, Highsmith Library Literature Award, ALA/Information Today Library of the Future Award, Joseph W. Lippincott Award, Marshall Cavendish Excellence in Library Programming, SIRSI Leader in Library Technology Grant, H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Award, and World Book–ALA Goal Award.
*Inaugural Banquet
Tues., Jul. 1, 7 p.m.–midnight. It may not be worth $89 to hear incoming president Jim Rettig and see the division presidents, but there is a band and rubber chicken (or whatever). But you have to stay with Disney until Tuesday. Black tie or cultural dress.
GAY & LESBIAN ISSUES
*Coming Out at Work: 20 Years Later
Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Revisit a topic addressed 20 years ago with some of the same panelists. See if and how things have changed. Sounds fascinating.
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
*Researching, Archiving, and Collecting for the U.S. Congress
FAFLRT. Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5:30 p.m. Archivist of the U.S. House of Representatives, Robin Reeder will discuss member research collections and House Committee records. Erin Hromada of the House Office of History and Preservation will discuss how her group conducts congressional research, advises users, and provides service to librarians. Kimberly Ferguson of the Senate Library will discuss the Virtual Reference Desk on Senate.gov. A learning opportunity!
*EPA Libraries Forum
SRRT. Mon., Jun. 30, 8:30–10 a.m. On February 10, 2006, a $2 million cut in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Library budget threatened EPA's National Library Network. Five libraries closed. The library community lobbied to prevent further closures and reductions. Late in 2007, Congress restored some of that funding. Representatives from the GAO will discuss their 2008 report on the EPA's National Library Network.
INSTRUCTION IN LIBRARY USE
*Is There a Right to Information Literacy? Academy Responsibility in the Information Age
ACRL Cmte. on Ethics. Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5:30 p.m. Lorie Roth (Cal State), Stephanie Sterling Brasley (Info Literacy Initiatives, Cal State), and Penny Beile (Univ. of Central Florida) on the relationship between economic development and information literacy and the duty of academia to ensure that college graduates are information literate.
INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM
Intellectual Freedom: “Who's View?” Hot Topics
ALTA. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A panel on the latest topics relating to intellectual freedom. That's all we know.
*Freedom of Expression®: Resistance and Repression in the Age of Intellectual Property
IFRT. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A screening of Freedom of Expression: Resistance and Repression in the Age of Intellectual Property (LJ 5/15/08), based on Kembrew McLeod's award-winning book of the same name. Followed by a panel discussion of fair use and free speech with coproducers McLeod and Jeremy Smith.
*This Is Your Brain on DOPA: Grassroots Organizing and Social Networking
IFC. Mon., Jun. 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Does the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) and similar legislation force librarians to censor access to interactive web applications, including social networking sites, blogs, wikis, and more? Many answer “yes.” Grassroots activists will discuss their organizing efforts and how to defeat this type of legislation.
*What Are We Gonna Call It Now?: Children's Books, Body Parts, and Censorship
IFC. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Recent challenges to the use of “scrotum” in The Higher Power of Lucky and “vagina” in The Vagina Monologues prove that even scientific names are under attack from censors. Learn from authors and librarians how to deal with such challenges.
INTERNATIONAL LIBRARIANSHIP
*President's Program/Membership Meeting: International Insights for New Librarians
NMRT. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A discussion of the New Librarians' Symposia (NLS) organized by the Australian Library and Information Association to meet the needs of new librarians and library school students, as well as IFLA's New Professionals Discussion Group.
Global Scholarly Communication: The International Accesses and Accessibilities
ACRL AAMES. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–5:30 p.m. An international panel on global scholarly communication, featuring Cui Meng (Inst. of Info on Traditional Chinese Medicine), Ann Okerson (Yale), Deepa Banerjee (Univ. of Washington), Hong Chen (UCLA), and Jim Cogswell (Univ. of Missouri Libs.).
Think Global, Act Local: How To Internationalize Your library?
IRRT. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Presentation of the ALA Sister Libraries Program to encourage U.S. libraries to build relationships with facilities in other countries.
A U.S.–China Experience
CALA, IRC, IRRT. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Library services in China from the firsthand experience of librarians who have worked there. Features Beverly Lynch (UCLA), Haipeng Li (Oberlin Coll. Lib.), Trisha Davis (Ohio State Univ. Libs.), Qiang Zhu (Peking Univ. Lib., China), and Lian Ruan (llinois Fire Svc. Inst. Lib.).
Alphabet Soup? Librarians in the European Union
IRC. Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5:30 p.m. Is being a librarian in the European Union different from being one in the United States? Can a U.S. librarian study or work there? Librarians with experience in public, academic, and school libraries in Europe will answer these and other questions.
*Religion, Ethnicity, and Gender in the Arab and Muslim World
OLOS. Sun., Jun. 29, 4–5:30 p.m. Safi S.M. Safiullah (Salt Lake City PL) and Ghada Elturk (Boulder PL, CO) will discuss diversity in the Arab and Muslim world and major issues like gender in Arabic literature in English translation. Need to know more about these questions.
*Cooperative Strategies for European Libraries: Access and Preservation
ACRL WESS. Mon., Jun. 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Features Kurt De Belder (Leiden Univ.). Olaf Janssen (Natl. Lib. of the Netherlands), and Janifer Gatenby (OCLC) on cooperative efforts of European libraries. Important.
INTERNET & WEB
Removing the Fence: Merging Print and Electronic Serials Workflows
ALCTS CRS. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Examines the convergence of print and electronic workflows from the viewpoint of two vendors (the subscription agent and the system provider) and one customer (the library) from Gary Ives (Texas A&M Libs.), Oliver Pesch (EBSCO Info Svcs.), and Clinton Chamberlain (Univ. of Texas Libs.).
*Public Computing in a Library 2.0 World
PLA LDC. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Barbara Gersh (MaintainIT, TechSoup), Louise Alcorn (West Des Moines PL), and Jessamyn West (librarian.net) on how public libraries can better support patrons who use wireless, games, blogs, and social networks. Very important.
Social Software Showcase
LITA. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Check out showcase.litablog.org before the conference, then talk with peers about the latest technology. Promises a conversation instead of a lecture. Conference 2.0? Maybe.
Virtual Communities & Libraries Exchange
Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. Consultant Tom Peters and three librarians discuss best practices in various virtual communities.
State of Technology Access and Funding in U.S. Public Libraries
ORS. Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. A discussion of the findings from national studies assessing Internet connectivity and the impact of funding changes on the sustainability of computer services in public libraries.
Library Connectivity for Public Access: Staying Ahead of the Curve
OITP. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. About public libraries struggling to get the bandwidth to provide full, effective public access to the Internet. Covers Gates Foundation initiatives and ALA activities to solve this problem.
Gov 2.0: Going Further with Wikinomics
FAFLRT. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Author Anthony D. Williams (Wikinomics) refers to Gov 2.0 as harnessing the power of mass collaboration and Web 2.0 for work with government agencies like DIA, CIA, NIH, GSA, DHS, and DoD.
Ding Dong the V(HS)itch Is Dead...or Is It?
VRT. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. How libraries can deal with the looming obsolescence of VHS and the switch to digital TV.
*Health Bytes: Technology Trends in Health Information Delivery
BCALA. Mon., Jun. 30, 4–5:30 p.m. Kelli Ham and Gail Koaume (Natl. Network of Libs. of Medicine) on dealing with the explosion of new mechanisms—RSS feeds, blogs, and audio and video podcasting—to deliver health information. How to adapt criteria to these new content formats. Crucial.
JOB SEEKING
Placement Services
HRDR. Job seekers should register and search for jobs on the JobLIST web site at www.joblist.ala.org. Registration is not required but is recommended to give employers who subscribe to the Placement Service access to your résumé and allow direct communication between job seekers and employers. Employers should post positions on the JobLIST web site as well.
Interviewing Strategies
HRDR. Fri., Jun. 27, 9:30–11 a.m. What to do if your résumé has landed you the opportunity to interview for the ideal job, from consultant Vicki Burger.
The Highly Effective Job Search
HRDR. Sun., Jun. 29, 8:30–10 a.m. Act III of the Vicki Burger show, this time on planned career changes.
Career Transitions and Surviving the In-Between Time
HRDR. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Consultant Caitlin Williams (Successful Working Women) on transitions.
LEGISLATION & LOBBYING
E-rate Task Force Forum
OITP. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Members of the E-rate Task Force with the latest news on the E-rate program.
*Lobbying for Operational Expenses
ALA-APA. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. ALA's top lobbyist, Emily Sheketoff, on the politics of raising funds for operating expenses like salaries and utilities. The messages to funders (citizens, university administration, board members, etc.) must be very different. Never miss this experienced Washington operator.
MANAGING LIBRARIES
Opening Session: What Do They Want? How Do They Become Part of the Team? (The Staff's Point of View)
ALTA. Sat., Jun. 28, 8–10 a.m. Rose Mosley (ALTA), Jenifer Grady (ALA-APA), Shirley Bruursema (trustee/councilor), author Will Horton, and Kevin Vertisey (Suffolk Co-op. Lib. Syst., NY) consider that one “of the primary goals of trustees is to maintain their library as the hub of the community. It takes a team effort.... The director, the trustees, and the missing link (staff) must be included. How do we motivate the parties to eliminate the circumstances or the habits that limit the pathway to success?” Sounds dangerously close to a workshop on how to micromanage. Hope “the missing link” comes and gives 'em hell.
*Shift Happens: Aligning Financial Decisions with Strategic Directions
LAMA LOMS. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Monique LeConge (Richmond PL, CA) and Catherine Tweedle (Univ. of Minnesota Libs.) will discuss the link between strategic planning and resource allocation, a complex and highly political process. Could be worthwhile.
*Not Evolutionary—Revolutionary! Library Reorganization Project, 2010-Style
PLA. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The management team of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County will tell how they involved staff from diverse service areas in a major reorganization when the library set out to be “America's Best” by strategizing and innovating new ways of collaborating, communicating, and providing extraordinary customer service. Ideas you can put into practice.
Why Public Libraries Close
PLA ICC. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Results of the OCLC study of public library closings by Dean K. Jue (Florida Resources Environmental Analysis Center), Christine M. Koontz (GeoLib, Florida State Univ.), George Needham (OCLC), and Wade Bradley Bishop (Florida State Univ., Coll. of Info). Sounds alarmist, very few have actually closed. Very few.
Board Self-Eval/Board Eval of Library Directors
ALTA. Sun., Jun. 29, 8–10 a.m. Trustees must understand the difference between their role (policy) and that of the director (execution). A panel will discuss the issues raised in ALTA publications A Library Board's Guide to Evaluating the Library Board and A Library Board's Guide to Evaluating the Library Director. Should be useful, might be dicey.
And Now for the Good News: Appreciative Inquiry
LAMA MAES. Sun., Jun. 29, 8–10 a.m. Diane Graves (Trinity Univ., San Antonio), Gene Spencer (Bucknell Univ., PA), and Lisabeth Chabot (Ithaca Coll., NY) will overview a new fad, “appreciative inquiry”: “the study and exploration of what gives life to human systems when they function at their best, an approach to organizational change based on the view that questions and dialogue about strengths, successes, values, hopes and dreams are themselves transformational.” Watch out, it might be a new way to trick the staff into lining up behind the great ideas that are always trickling (sometimes gushing) down from the top. Hope we're wrong.
*The Healthy Librarian: Cultivating Wellness in the Workplace
BCALA, AILA. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Siobhan Champ-Blackwell (Natl. Network of Libs. of Medicine) will offer “simple strategies” to manage emotional patrons, sedentary jobs, and stress and provide resources to improve workplace health. Get it!
ACRL President's Program: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
ACRL. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. The 2008 ACRL presidential initiative focuses on the recruitment and retention of our new generation of librarians and thinkers. Join Dan Ariely (Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions) and a panel of NextGeners on how to enhance logical thinking to create passion in the workplace.
MARKETING LIBRARY SERVICES
How Branding Can Increase the Relevance of Your Library
PLA. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. James Keller (Queens Library, NY) says he'll tell you how to do a marketing audit of the library, develop a strategic positioning, create an annual marketing plan, and learn how to minimize expenses through available resources, all to raise awareness of the library, its relevance and value among key stakeholders. We're glad he added that this program “will deal only with libraries, not corporate or consumer brands,” and we agree that some of the same techniques work for both. Just don't make us pay taxes for a free bookstore at the mall, or a tube of toothpaste.
Selling Your Story: How To Use the PLA Service Responses to Market Your Library
PLA LDC. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Consultants June Garcia and Sandra Nelson will report on the revised PLA Service Responses as the framework for a marketing program.
Get the Word Out: How To Do It; Marketing for Small and Rural Libraries
PLA LDC. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Diana Bitting (PALINET), Walt Crawford (creator, author, publisher, OCLC), Edward James Elsner (Delton Dist. Lib., MI), Beth Nicholson (Clarksburg-Harrison PL, WV), and Annette Wetteland (State Lib. of Iowa) will preach that effective marketing is the key to success and to your library's future. They promise marketing basics and practical tips. When the “creator” preaches, who dares not to listen?
*Bull's Eye! Targeting the Right Consumer with Market Research
RUSA BRASS. Mon., Jun. 30, 8 a.m.–noon. Wendy Diamond (Cal State–Chico), Jack Kyser (Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.), and Marco Pavia and Jeremy Ross (Tokyo Pop) will discuss and answer questions about niche marketing. Some hot marketing pros. Don't miss 'em.
OUTREACH SERVICES
Partnering To Help Reduce Health Disparities in Our Communities
REFORMA. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Academic and public librarians discuss partnering with the National Library of Medicine and other national, regional, and local health organizations to address health inequities.
*Serving Older Adults in Libraries: Guiding Staff To Make a Difference!
OLOS. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A new tool kit from the Subcommittee on Library Services to Older Adults, ALA Office for Literacy & Outreach Services, will be introduced with staff tips, special program ideas, and easy-to-follow guidelines to ensure results.
Serving the Whole Community: Multilingual Access in Public Libraries
ALCTS CCS. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Mary Catherine Little (Queens Lib., NY), Pat Fahrenthold (San Francisco PL), Lisa Elliott (OCLC), and Shelly Ekeroth (Cty. of Los Angeles PL) on the need for multilingual access through library catalogs and other services and multilingual collection development.
Implementing ALA's Policy 61: Library Services to Poor People
OLOS. Sun., Jun. 29, 8–10 a.m. A new member tool kit on ALA's Policy 61 to implement strategies to service the poor and homeless in local libraries.
Savvy Library Services for Senior Health
BCALA. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. “Savvy library services for senior health information” from Karen Vargas (Natl. Network of Libs. of Medicine).
Practical Tips for Staff Dealing with Challenging Patrons: Teens and Adults with Issues
SORT. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Practical advice about dealing with at-risk youth, featuring Joann Mondowney (Flint PL, MI) and Mark Willis (Dayton Metro Lib.).
Adult Learners: Helping Libraries Make MAGIC!
OLOS, PLA LSC. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–5:30 p.m. Susan Hildreth (State Libn. of California) on literacy programs as a vital service in communities and the adult learners in the programs. Librarians, literacy coordinators, and adult learners will report on projects that use adult learners to promote and advocate for their library.
Inside Stories: Prison Literacy Programs
ASCLA LSSPS. Mon., Jun. 30, 8–10 a.m. Personal stories from experiences in prison literacy programs from inmates, teachers, correctional librarians, and program creators. Speakers: authors Jimmy Santiago Baca and Carol Muske-Dukes.
Dude, Where Is My Retirement?
RUSA. Mon., Jun. 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Tom Mackell (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond) and Steven Wallace (UCLA Ctr. for Health Policy Research) on retirement income (in)security and the connection between income and health.
The Computer Training Bridge Program
OLOS. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. David Fergusson (Forsyth Cty. PL, Winston–Salem, NC) presents his unique computer training tool: the Training Bridge focuses on expanding and multiplying learning opportunities for those who need basic, high-quality computer literacy instruction. Worth hearing.
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Stretching Existing Staff: New Service Delivery Models
PLA ICC. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Ruth Barefoot (San Jose PL, CA), Katy Curl (Folsom, CA), Anne T. Haimes (Atlanta-Fulton Lib. Syst.), and Mary Catherine Little (Queens Lib., NY) will tell you how the PLA Workload Measures and Staffing Patterns Committee can help you milk more service from fewer staff using “existing service delivery models from libraries across the United States.” You know the stuff: self-checkout, supermarket spaces, one-point info service, and many other exciting (cheap) ways that progressive (poorly supported) libraries have confronted staffing shortages. The best way is to get leaders who know how to lobby for operating budgets that are adequate to library needs. Next best, go to the people!
Succession Planning: The Future of Your Library Depends on It
ALCTS. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Another from this year's herd of consultants: Vicki Whitmell (Whitmell & Assocs.), with Nanette Donohue (Champaign PL, IL) and LeRoy LaFleur (Arlington Campus Lib., George Mason Univ.) on planning to fill key leadership vacancies. Just don't get too focused on experience; you need new ideas.
*R U Communicating? Speaking the Language of Millennials
ACRL ULS. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Learn to navigate digital communication from a panel of researchers and a group of Millennial students. Robert Skinner (Southern Methodist Univ., Dallas) will speak, too.
*Education of Trustees Program: A Library Board's Practical Guide to Hiring Experts
ALTA. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. A panel on how to hire consultants, who are everywhere: some good, some not. Advice based on ALTA's new A Library Board's Practical Guide To Hiring Outside Experts. A long-felt need...it might be helpful.
Professional Development Around the World: Meeting the Challenge of Rapid Change in the Digital Environment
IRRT. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. U.S. consultants Nancy Bolt, Antonia Neubauer, Jane Kinney Meyers, and Jane Mirandette join Gilliam Hallam (Queensland Univ. of Technology, Australia) and Sharon Bostick (Univ. of Missouri, Kansas City) to relate challenges and successes in providing professional development to librarians in career transition. They'll emphasize technology, which is generational. We need this stuff, but where are the young ones on this panel?
POLITICS & LIBRARIES
Giving Voters a Voice with Direct Democracy: How Does This Fit into the Political Arena?
ACRL LPSS. Sun., Jun. 29, Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. A panel on the process of initiative and referendum, which types of materials and how much to collect on this process, which will show up in measures on the ballots in most states in November.
PRESERVATION
*Planning for Gold: Preservation Models in California and the West
ALCTS PARS. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Barclay Ogden (UC-Berkeley), Julie Page (UC–San Diego Libs.), Susan Hildreth (California State Libn.), Gary Kurutz (California State Lib.), and Tom Clareson (PALINET) on the results of preservation collaboration in California and the West, like an expandable network model to overcome the long distance between population centers. Good models.
PROBLEM PATRONS
What I Really Meant To Say Was... (a.k.a Dealing with Difficult People)
Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. An interactive workshop with “real-world tips” on dealing with difficult people, featuring consultants Gail Johnson and Pam Parr.
Black Belt Librarians: How To Recognize & Respond to the Four Levels of Emotion That Any Patron May Be In
Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon; 4–5:30 p.m. Another consultant, Warren Graham, on how to deal with emotional patrons, from upset but “normal” teenager with attitude to the mentally ill.
Are You Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty or Julie McCoy, cruise director on the Pacific Princess? Dealing with Difference by Understanding Your People Style
Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Yet another pair of consultants, Sharon and Dan Wiseman, on dealing with the weird.
PROGRAMS
Baseball's Greatest Hit: The Story of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”
PIO. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Part of the national Step Up to the Plate @ your library initiative, sponsored by the Campaign for America's Libraries and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the program features marketing author Andy Strasberg (Baseball's Greatest Hit: The Story of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”).
Traveling Exhibits: Share Your Experiences and Ideas
PPO. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The Public Programs Office will report experiences of project directors who have hosted traveling exhibits and have new information on grant opportunities.
We the People Programming: Bookshelf and Picturing America
PPO. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Project directors share experiences and tips on applying for We the People grants.
Public Programs in a Shoebox: What If You Don't Have a Community Room?
PLA LDC. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Rural librarians report on public programs that have worked even without large meeting spaces. Features Jim Rancilio (Bullard Sanford Mem. Lib., Vassar, MI), Connie Barrington (Imperial Cty. Free Lib., CA), Ailesia Franklin (Dunkirk City PL, IN), Kelley Nolan (Del Norte Cty. PL, CA), and Debbie Brown (Bullard Community Lib., Garland, TX). We used the high school gym.
Digital Storytelling: Where Outreach, Local History, Programming and Technology Collide
PLA. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. How and why to establish a digital storytelling project according to Grace Francisco (Oceanside PL, CA), Felicia Kelley (California Council for the Humanities), Kathleen Low (consultant, California State Lib.), Ethan Van Thillo (Media Arts Center of San Diego), and Lynn Whitehouse (San Diego PL).
Soul of a People: Voices from the Writers' Project
PPO. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The ALA Public Programs Office will provide information on library programs in conjunction with a TV documentary on the WPA Federal Writer's Project, Soul of the People: Voices from the Writers' Project.
PRIME TIME Family Reading: Bilingual Programs Expand Nationally
PPO. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. How a library can reach the underserved Spanish-speaking families with PRIME TIME Family Reading.
*Book Group Therapy: How To Repair, Revamp and Revitalize Your Book Group
RUSA CODES. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. The ubiquitous Nancy Pearl (www.nancypearl.com) will discuss “book group therapy,” including tips on selecting titles, dealing with domineering personalities, and overcoming roadblocks to peak participation. RUSA/CODES Readers' Advisory Committee will report preliminary results of a national survey on book groups. Nancy is always informative, and the survey will be interesting.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
PR Forum
PIO. Sun., Jun. 29, 8–10 a.m. The annual PR Forum for library public relations and marketing professionals.
*Swap & Shop: Hot Ideas for Cool PR
LAMA PRMS. Sun., Jun. 29, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Great place to graze for samples and view a showcase of PR materials—annual reports, newsletters, reading promotions, web pages, and more. Winners of the Best of Show awards, a juried selection, will be on display. PR Doctors will be available for one-on-ones. Very beneficial.
REFERENCE
*Surfing the Net: Google to the Next Level
Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Diana L. Bitting (PALINET) on “power searching techniques” for using Google, some of Google's other tools, and ways to use Google effectively at the reference desk. Advantageous.
*“Can I Please Blow Up This Reference Desk?”
Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Tracie Hall (GSLIS, Dominican Univ.) looks at ten current social and cultural trends and how they can and should change the way librarians work. Sounds fascinating.
Is Face-to-Face Reference Dying?
RUSA MARS. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Innovative service models at Ohio University and Appalachian State University—Skype and a 3-D virtual reality—plus user preferences for emerging technologies. Reshaping reference work.
*14th Annual New Reference Research Forum
RUSA RSS. Sun., Jun. 29, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hear about research on reference and user services: The READ Scale (Reference Effort Assessment Data) Project, Qualitative Statistics for Meaningful Reference Assessment, A Report of the National Study, from Bella Karr Gerlich (Georgia State) and G. Lynn Berard (Carnegie Mellon Univ.); Does Size Matter? Examining Trends in the Provision of Remote Reference Services in Academic and Public Libraries, from Denise Agosto and Eileen Abels (Drexel) and Lorri Mon (Florida State); and Problems, Processes and Judgements: User Expectations of Online Reference Service, from Lynn Westbrook (Univ. of Texas, Austin). Important research from impressive scholars.
*Please Talk to Strangers Online: Spreading Trust in Virtual Reference Services
RUSA RSS. Mon., Jun. 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Karen Docherty (Maricopa Community Colls., AZ), Vince Mariner (Ask Here PA), Bill Pardue (Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL), and Caleb Tucker-Raymond (Multnomah Cty. Lib., OR) on “trust” and virtual reference. Good strategies promised.
*President's Program: Quality Service in an Impersonal World
RUSA. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. What defines quality library service in today's interconnected technological world, according to Donna Bachowski (Orange Cty. PL, Orlando, FL) and Marie Radford (Rutgers). Bachowski is on the front lines, Radford is excellent, even though they may dump on traditional reference models.
SALARIES
Getting What You're Worth: Salary Negotiation Workshop
ALA-APA. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Learn principles of salary negotiation during interviews and performance evaluations. Mock negotiations.
SirsiDynix–ALA-APA Better Salaries Breakfast
ALA-APA. Sun., Jun. 29, 7:30–8:30 a.m. The winner of the SirsiDynix–ALA-APA Award for Promoting Salaries will be honored. Network with colleagues interested in unions.
SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING
Knowledge Wants To Be Known: Open Access Issues for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
ACRL EBSS. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Explore open access issues in certain disciplines with John Willinsky (Stanford), Ray English (Oberlin), Alison Mudditt (Sage Pubns.), and Katherine Corby (Michigan State).
ACRL/SPARC Forum
ACRL. Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. The regular forum of the ACRL Scholarly Communications Committee to broaden knowledge about scholarly communication issues.
Institutional Repositories: New Roles for Acquisitions
ALCTS AS. Mon., Jun. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Maureen P. Walsh (Ohio State) and Terry Owen (Univ. of Maryland) discuss how expanding content types and sources and the ingestion of digital content is changing the work of acquisitions staff.
SECURITY
Security & Preservation of Rare Materials: Planning an Environmental Building Model
LAMA BES. Sat., Jun. 28, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Standards for three different integrated storage environments, i.e., security, lighting, air quality, microbial filtration, fire suppression, temperature and humidity, from Caryn J. Carr (State Lib. of Pennsylvania), Larry Nesbit (Mansfield Univ.), architect Neal Rusnov, and William Joyce (Penn State Univ. Lib.).
*The Open Library: Promise and Peril
LITA. Sun., Jun. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Karen Coyle and a panel on the discrepancy between the privacy values of librarianship and threats to privacy inherent in many web technologies. The issue of these times.
SERVICE
*Ready, Set, Go! Racing Toward Excellent Public Service
Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. Report on a paraprofessional training and development program aimed at maximizing customer service and reference interview skills, from Jamie Conklin (Orange Cty. Lib. Syst.). Word of mouth is everywhere about this program.
SUPPORT STAFF
*2008 Empowerment Conference: Riding the Wave to Empowerment
Sat., Sun., Jun. 28-29. Programs with speakers like Warren Graham, Jenny Levine, and Michael Stephens designed specifically for library support staff. Check your program. The whole show is a bit heavy with consultants and the like, but it will be valuable.
Welcome Breakfast and Conference Kickoff
Sat., Jun. 28, 7:30–10 a.m. Get inspired at this opening breakfast with Disney Institute speakers to be announced.
Captain Your Own Destiny and See Where It Takes You
Sat., Jun. 28, 4–5:30 p.m. A panel of library support staff share insights into the path that led them to the positions they currently hold. Features Tobi Oberman (Skokie PL, IL) and Jennifer Kutzik (Colorado State Univ. Libs., Boulder).
LSSIRT Night Out
LSSIRT. Sun., Jun. 29, 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Booze and schmooze with LSSIRT at Buca di Beppo Restaurant. Tickets: $37.50.
UNIONS
Managers Who Have the “Union Advantage”
ALA-APA. Fri., Jun. 27, 2–4 p.m. Library managers offer tips on building positive working relationships with unionized staff.
WOMEN'S ISSUES
Introduction to Women's Issues
SRRT. Sat., Jun. 28, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Learn about the SRRT Feminist TF, COSWL, ACRL's Women's Studies Section, and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Round Table. Explore opportunities to participate.
Feminists Night at the Movies
SRRT. Sun., Jun. 29, 8–10 p.m. Fun, relaxation, and a bit of info Sunday night at the movies, with I Was a Teenage Feminist, a funny, moving, and very personal journey into the heart of feminism, and The Noble Struggle of Amina Wadud, a fascinating and powerful portrait of an African American Muslim woman. Sponsored by SRRT's Feminist TF.
*Feminist Publishing: The Evolution of a Revolution
SRRT, ACRL WSS. Mon., Jun. 30, 8 a.m.–noon. The 25th anniversary of the Women's Studies Section celebrated by an exploration of the dynamic nature of feminist publishing by Kristin Bender (Women's eNews and the Oakland Tribune), Kimberly Guinta (Routledge), Jennifer Nace (Penn State), Lisa Pierce (Greenwood Pub. Group), and the esteemed Florence Howe (Feminist Press at CUNY).
Exhibits
*The Stacks—2008 ALA Annual Conference Exhibition
Sat., Jun. 28–Mon., Jun. 30, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tues., Jul. 1, 8 a.m.–noon. The world's biggest exhibition of library products and services. It needs lots of your time.
| Author Information |
| John N. Berry III is Editor-at-Large, LJ |
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