Of shoes and CIL
A recent post at Get Rich Slowly on “What do you Splurge on?” got me thinking about my cute and comfortable new conference shoes. (Yes, I realize that for some people $90 shoes aren’t a “splurge,” but it’s all in the context… And never buy something on shoebuy.com w/o searching for discount codes first. Just saying.) This is the first time I’ve tromped around a conference for a few days without limping my way to the airport later; I liked these shoes so much I went and bought another pair in black.
But enough about the shoes, except that “wear comfortable shoes” is one of those conference tips to always take seriously. I’m just back from this year’s Computers in Libraries conference, where as you can see I did some very serious work.
I also saw some useful and inspiring presentations, but kept thinking: how can we translate these ideas to libraries that don’t have the resources of, say, a PLCMC or TSCPL? I’d like to see a conference track on innovation in smaller libraries, and was wondering if you all concur — and what types of topics you’d like to see there? Are you doing cool things in your library without a lot of resources? Who else do you know that’s doing so?
~Kathy Dempsey:
Hey, ain’t nuthin’ more important at a conference than really good shoes!! I’m with you!
13 April 2008, 3:14 pmDale Prince:
It’s ok to wear comfortable shoes as long as they are fabulous! And, you know, those look great.
Remember to dress in layers, too!
Oh, and, it WOULD be great to get more stories of innovation in smaller libraries.
13 April 2008, 6:40 pmJanieH:
I agree that seeing what the smaller libraries are doing would be great. In fact, I would agree to moderate a track on that — just saying!
I know that the PPL Poet Podcast was mentioned several times in podcasting presentations and this is a project that was done at a relatively small library (we are a single location). We had not allocated funds for this and set out to do it for free as a model for other libraries in a similar situation. I know of other smaller NJ libraries that have been very innovative as well. For instance, West Long Branch’s use of a Blog as their main page: http://www.wlbpl.org/
I am presenting at the Nevada Library Association in August on “High Tech Outreach Projects on a Shoestring Budget”. I am compiling examples right now… they exist and I think others what know about them.
13 April 2008, 8:18 pmjoan:
I’m so far in I actually think Danskos (the ultimate comfortable shoe) ARE cute!
14 April 2008, 2:11 amJeff:
Innovation in small libraries would be a very good presentation and track. However, nobody would go to it because the small libraries couldn’t send anyone.
I would like to see more on small library innovations. They would be far more practical and innovative in how they use their limited space.
14 April 2008, 11:35 amrachel:
You all are seriously all about the shoes…!
Jeff, good point, although I did run into a number of people from smaller institutions who had gotten together the funding to attend this year. JanieH: Yes! This is just the sort of thing I’m talking about.
14 April 2008, 11:46 amJanieH:
Oh, and I should have mentioned all the wonderfully innovative things being done by Westerville PL in Ohio — a library that I often look towards for ideas. For MPOW our issue is not lack of ideas or expertise (we have a talented staff with lots of ideas), and we are actually fairly well funded. Mostly our roadblock thus far has been a lack of time as we are all so busy doing multiple roles in the library. We have just created a Trendspotters Team that will meet every 6-8 weeks and we are really going to moving forward with a lot more of our ideas this year.
14 April 2008, 12:49 pm