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Rank: Member
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Joined: 11/18/2007
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Location: Barre, VT
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I'm curious which conference(s) has been the most rewarding for you and why do you think it was so rewarding? Was it the location? What you learned? The networking possibilities? The fun? What makes a conference great for you?
For me, it's got to be Internet Librarian, both because of the topics covered, the location (Monterey, CA!), and the people who attend. When you spend so much of your career trying to "sell" social technologies to people who really aren't that interested, it's so nice to be in a room with like-minded people who are just as passionate about . For me, it's much more about the social aspects of the conference than the actual sessions. Between sessions, we all share ideas, talk about what we're working on and get inspiration from each other. It's a great experience and I always come home with new ideas. Computers in Libraries is a similar conference, but the location isn't nearly as appealing (Arlington, VA).
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 11/18/2007
Posts: 73
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Location: Wisconsin
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My first library conference was a memorable one, and it was the 2001 WAPL (Wisconsin Association of Public Librarians) Conference in Wisconsin Rapids. I still remember the first program I ever attended- it was a panel discussion on recruiting people to become school library media specialists in Wisconsin.
My first stab at helping plan a library conference was WAPL 2004, here in Wisconsin Dells. It was a lot of work, but it was an invaluable experience. In 2005 I was asked to be a member of the 2006 WLA (Wisconsin Library Association) Conference Planning Committee, and we spent many months organizing the 2006 WLA Conference here in Wisconsin Dells. The committee was comprised of a splendid group of people, and it really was a blast to work with them. To this day, the 2006 WLA Conference Planning Chair is still a mentor to me (thanks Bernie!)
To me, getting the opportunity to meet up with colleagues and network is the best part about library conferences.
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Rank: Member
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
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I'm an SAA fan, as I'm primarily an archivist; I don't usually go to anything ALA puts on, but try to get to SAA or the regional conferences when I can. It's always nice to hear about how other people are tackling similar challenges -- it definitely saves having to reinvent the wheel. I don't think I'll make it to the one this year, as my rule is generally 'anything within reasonable Amtrak distance.' If anyone is going to ALA Midwinter, I'd be happy to recommend some good bars and restaurants here in Philly!
Lisa Grimm Assistant Archivist Drexel University College of Medicine Archives & Special Collections on Women in Medicine and Homeopathy
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I'm in charge of instruction, so LOEX is the most inspiring, followed by ACRL. ACRL is excellent for any academic public services librarians. I come back from these conferences full of ideas and excited about the possibilities. It's also great fun to talk shop with colleagues from around the country.
Location doesn't make a huge difference to me- I'm usually so busy I don't have time or energy to do much beyond the conference center and the hotel. I will, though, avoid any conferences in the winter that take place in cold parts of the country. I had an absolutely miserable Midwinter ALA in Philly a few years back. I actually avoided being on any ALA committees when Midwinter was scheduled for Boston.
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Location: Ashland, OH
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I like ALA conferences due to the wide variety of interesting sessions and poster sessions offered. As a curriculum librarian, one of my responsibilities (joys!) is buying for the juvenile collection. ALA provides me with opportunity at midwinter and annual to keep in touch with children's librarians and YALSA in addition to academic endeavors.
Heading out to Philly on Friday morning and am thrilled to see the weather forcasted in the middle to high 40's enabling me to leave the bulky winter coat at home!
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I just got back from PLA ...well, not "just" I guess it's been a couple of weeks already. It was a great conference in a great city, Minneapolis. The PLA was pretty large, but not overwhelming and I found lots of sessions to go to and met lots of new people. I always introduced myself to whoever I was sitting next to and I got to talk to lots of interesting folk including candidates for ALA president.
It made me want to get more involved.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Job Hunting Tips - Moderator
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Joined: 1/4/2008
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Location: Cairo, Egypt
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I thought ACRL in Baltimore was a good conference. John Watters, the keynote speaker, was fantastic, easily the highlight of the whole thing.
Now I'm a librarian in Egypt, and I get one conference a year, fully paid. I've only been to one so far: Online Information in London in December. It was great and surprisingly relevant to my work as a librarian.
I'm trying to decide where to go for next year. I'm not sure I want to fly from Cairo to Seattle mid-semester, when I can't stay more than the days needed for the conference. So I'm thinking about attending Internet Librarian International in London in October.
Meredith, have you heard anything about the internet version of this conference? The location is certainly a huge draw.
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Rank: Member
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Location: Barre, VT
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I've heard Internet Librarian International is supposed to be great. I've never been myself, but all of my friend who've gone have gotten a lot out of it. It's a lot like Internet Librarian, but with many more speakers from all over Europe.
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Rank: Member
Groups: LIS Schools - Moderator
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Joined: 11/18/2007
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Location: River Forest, IL
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I've been to ILI 3 times and have found it to be one of the best conferences I've attended. Librarians and IT folk come from all over Europe, Africa, Asia and even Australia to speak and take part in the sessions. The thing that really struck me was the fact we are all facing similar changes and introducing similar innovations in our various libraries. Gaining a global perspective makes it all make sense. The location can't be beat. With London at the doorstep of the conference venue, evening meals, networking socials and a night out at the theatre also makes it an invigorating conference. Disclaimer: I am on the organizing committee! :-)
M. Michael Stephens - Assistant Professor Graduate School of Library and Information Science Dominican University 7900 W. Division River Forest, IL 60305 708-524-6603 mstephens@dom.edu
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