The Liminal Librarian

I just got an e-mail from Library Journal, addressed to all their “Movers & Shakers” over the past few years. They’re planning a brown-bag lunchtime unconference at Midwinter “… to brainstorm some of the issues (as you identify them) facing libraries–and the solutions… At the ALA summer luncheon we talked about using ideas from the Movers “Brain Trust” in a future issue of LJ.”

OK, that’s cool, although I didn’t actually know I was part of a “Movers Brain Trust.” I’d attend if I were going to be at Midwinter. But I’m wondering how many of the other 300+ “Movers & Shakers” are going to make it, and how many more perspectives the conversation might incorporate if it were opened up or continued post-conference — on a private list, on a forum, in small chatroom groups, what have you.

Sure, this is partially sour grapes: I can’t realistically go, and I’d like to. But, it’s not just my perspective LJ is missing out on — or LITA, or NMRT, or any other group/division/roundtable. I do see the value of face time, conferences, in-person communication, but this can be a both/and situation, rather than the current “if you don’t go, your voice doesn’t count.”

On a positive note, if you’re also one of the can’t-attends, apply for one of the conference grants floating around. I went to Annual on EBSCO’s dime a few years ago, which was fantastic — and they mentioned that they generally get fewer applications than they’d like. So, go for it! I post these on Beyond the Job when I see them, also look on ALA’s grants and fellowships page.