My schedule in NOLA is jam packed, lots of meetings thanks to my involvement in the Digital Literacy Task Force, OITP Advisory Committee, Council and of course my Transliteracy Interest Group. Rather than bore you with my crazy schedule I thought I’d share a few things of note I think you’ll be interested in attending.
Also if you haven’t read my tips post, and the comments left by readers, be sure to do so !
Friday, June 24th
OCLC Americas Member Meeting and Symposium at ALA, the entire event runs from 11:30-4:00. From 2:00 to 4:00 is The Infinite Collection: Resources in the Digital Age, I will be one of the panelist responding to remarks by the speakers & questions from the audience. Its free, if you are interested register here.
The explosion of ways in which we are digitally connected impacts every part of our lives. Whether we’re researching, building social connections or sharing our own media, the digital realm has extended its influence into nearly every aspect of what we do. What does this do to the boundaries of your library’s collection? What does it mean to curate a collection that is becoming, for all intents and purposes, infinite? Join digital experts from the library community for a discussion on successful strategies for dealing with both the volume of resources out there—and the changing nature of content consumption in a world that’s increasingly digital.
Clifford Lynch, Executive Director of the Coalition for Networked Information, will provide the keynote address. Joining him will be symposium moderator, Brian Schottlaender, The Audrey Geisel Librarian at University of California, San Diego Libraries, and two distinguished panelists:
- Rick Anderson, Associate Director for Scholarly Resources and Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, and a 2005 Library Journal Mover & Shaker
- Bobbi Newman, Consultant, B. Newman & Associates, Co-founder of the Libraries and Transliteracy Project, and a 2011 Library Journal Mover & Shaker.
5:30pm – 8:00pm LITA Happy Hour – The Howlin’ Wolf Den 907 S. Peters St. A LITA tradition, this event is a great way to connect with other members. You don’t need to be a member to stop by.
Here’s your chance to catch-up with your LITA friends, and maybe make some new ones. If you’re new to LITA, the Happy Hour is a great opportunity to get to know other members in a relaxed atmosphere. The LITA Membership Committee hopes to see you there!
(Cash bar, seating inside and outside – sorry, no swimming pool)
7:30pm – 10:00pm ALAplay 2011 – Hilton New Orleans Riverside – Versailles BR
A joint Games and Gaming Member Interest Group / Comic Book & Graphic Novel MIG / LITA event! * Networking * cosplay * comic books & graphic novels * board & social games!!! Immediately following the LITA Happy Hour / immediately preceding the ALA Dance Party. Add the event to your ALA schedule:http://connect.ala.org/node/138485
Networking, cosplay, comic books & graphic novels, board & social games, and more! Come enjoy an evening of fun while exploring new game offerings and collection development / programming ideas, while meeting and sharing ideas with librarians from across the country. Mingle with outstanding comics creators, win a piece of original art in our raffle, and snap a photo keepsake at our cosplay (or costume-play) photo booth (we bring the costumes and accessories from steampunk to sci-fi to gamer gear, you bring the imagination and attitude!). Cosplay of all kinds is encouraged but not necessary plus pick up tips on how to bring cosplay into your library.
Saturday June 25th, 2011
8:00am – 10:00am Competing in the Information Marketplace II: Strategic PR partnerships – Journalists and Libraries – Morial Convention Center Room 383-385
Information seekers turn to the Web and social media for instant access, but often lack the critical skills to evaluate their findings. Nonetheless, speed and convenience too often trump accuracy. Three key communities share a common interest in quality information: libraries, journalists, and educators. What if these sectors work together in informal networks to raise awareness of libraries as sources of reliable information? Through collaboration, can these communities raise information literacy, enhance critical thinking skills, and make fact-finding an engaging, transformative, learning adventure?
10:30am – 12:00pm Future of Libraries: Cutting-edge Services – Convention Center – Rm 391
In some ways, the future of libraries is happening today at leading libraries around the country. This program features the specific services at four libraries selected from those nominated in a broad solicitation organized by the Program on America’s Libraries for the 21st Century within ALA’s Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP). What can you learn from these cutting-edge services for application in your library?
12:00pm – 1:00pm Digital Literacy Portal Launch the Networking Uncommons Convention Center
DigitalLiteracy.gov is a new online portal that brings together online learning tools, curriculum, job skills training and a host of other resources. NTIA created the portal in partnership with nine federal agencies to provide librarians, teachers, workforce trainers and others a central location to share digital literacy content and practices. The roundtable discussion will focus on how libraries can use and add content to the portal. Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the ALA Washington Office, will moderate the discussion. Other participants include Anthony Wilhelm, director of the NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, and Susan Hildreth, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The program will include a question-and-answer session. Media and bloggers are encouraged to participate.
1:30pm – 3:30pm Why Transliteracy? – Convention Center – Rm 278-282 – I’ll be a panelist
The skills needed to be an active participant in today’s society are rapidly evolving. Literacy is changing, more is needed than the ability to read and write. This session will explore the theoretical aspects of transliteracy, explaining why it is important and how it is tied to libraries. We will look at transliteracy from the varying perspectives caused by serving different different populations including schools, universities and the public.
1:30pm – 3:30pm Reclaiming Literacy in the Digital Age – Convention Center Rm 275 – Yes, I realize this conflicts with my transliteracy panel but it is put on by the Digital Literacy Task Force of which I am a member
Libraries of all types have literacy, its promotion, and its advancement at the core of their mission. As information resources are found increasingly online, literacy has expanded beyond print to encompass information literacy, media literacy and, most recently, digital literacy. How are libraries responding to the “new” literacy? How will the role of libraries be developed and strengthened in the evolving digital literacy “ecosystem”? Panelists will tackle these topics and engage the audience in discussion
4:00pm – 5:30pm Working Towards Transliteracy – Convention Center – Rm 278-282 I’ll be a panelist.
Transliteracy is the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media from signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film, to digital social networks. This session looks at the practical aspects of what we can do to help our patrons become transliterate citizens, including real world examples from academic, public and school libraries
9:00pm – 2:00am ALA Facebook After Hours Social – Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop 941 Bourbon St New Orleans, LA
take some time to “drop by, have a drink, sit at the piano bar, and unwind following vendor parties, scholarship bash and other louder fun elsewhere on Bourbon Street…..”
Sunday, June 26th
10:30am – 12:00pm Public Access Technology in Libraries: A National Initiative – Convention Center, Room MCC 245
Today, an estimated 77 million people regularly use the library as a place to enrich and improve their lives whether that entails seeking employment, pursuing educational goals, transacting government services or simply staying connected to friends and family.
What do library leaders need to know and do to provide high-quality computer and Internet services to patrons in the 21st century? How can we help local government leaders understand the value of investing in libraries’ ability to provide these resources? In 2011, with major support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a national coalition of leading library and local government organizations launched the “Public Access Technology Benchmarks Initiative,” a groundbreaking effort to create national guidelines that will help libraries continuously improve the quality of public access technology and motivate communities to invest in these services that citizens urgently need.
This program, featuring leaders of the organizations that are members of the coalition, will provide an opportunity to learn more about the vision for the Public Access Technology Benchmarks Initiative, ask questions and learn how you can become involved. Please join us!
1:30-3:30 Top Technology Trends – Convention Center, Auditorium A
This program features our ongoing roundtable discussion about trends and advances in library technology by a panel of LITA technology experts. The panelists will describe changes and advances in technology that they see having an impact on the library world, and suggest what libraries might do to take advantage of these trends.
4:00pm – 5:00pm Building the Future: Addressing Library Broadband Connectivity Issues in the 21st Century – Morial Convention Center Auditorium A.
The nation’s first National Broadband Plan was released in 2010. It set a goal that community anchor institutions—including libraries, schools, higher education—have affordable access to at least 1Gbps connectivity. But 42% of public libraries have less than 2Mbps connections and many other libraries have broadband issues too. The president’s program will explore the broadband landscape and how ALA is working with Internet2 to address the broadband needs of libraries, schools and higher education
Monday, June 27th
1:30pm – 3:30pm Transliteracy IG meeting – Convention Center – Rm 340
5:30pm – 8:30pm ALA Battledecks 2011: The Bayou Brawl
Join Janie Hermann and Jenny Levine as they bring you the ultimate competition where the reigning champions from regional competitions will be pitted against new contenders willing to take on the seasoned veterans.
Battledecks is not for the faint of heart. It is a nerve-wracking event where those competing must create a coherent presentation from a deck of slides that they have never seen before. This is truly the perfect way to end your conference experience as these courageous individuals compete for the glory of being crowned the next champ.
As alway, “There Can Be Only One”
Unfortunately I wont be at all these events, my involvement doesn’t allow for it, but I know they will all be great. I also know there is SO much happening I missed something, so let me know!
Librarian by Day 
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