The SLA 2011 Conference & INFO-EXPO in Philadelphia was my first experience at an international-level library conference, and the massive array of choices regarding what to attend and where to go was at first overwhelming. It is simply not possible to attend everything of interest but after settling in, making some choices, and then just going with the flow, the 2011 conference proved to be memorable, exciting, and invigorating.
I attended several insightful and inspiring sessions on topics such as mobile apps, managing your organization’s online presence, and the new RDA content standard for description. As we all know, smartphone usage is increasing rapidly as a form of internet access for many users; some presenters showed us how they integrate their mission and services into the mobile app presence, and others showcased apps that information professionals themselves can use to increase their productivity or level of service. “Managing Your Library’s Online Presence” discussed how your library website can be thought of not just as a front-end to your library’s brick-and-mortar presence, but as a legitimate library or branch of its own – an “e-library” – that cements its modern position as a primary service point for most users. RDA is something I think everyone may have heard something about. The Library of Congress gave us an excellent overview of this emerging descriptive standard: it is designed to address shortcomings in AACR2, to be optimized for description of all resource types, to account for hierarchical and two-way relationships between “entities” and “attributes,” and allow for more internationalization and localization.
I spoke with influential SLA Fellows, division and chapter officers, and new SLA members alike at events such as the First-Timers’ reception, IT Division Business Meeting, various division receptions, and of course the legendary “IT Dance Party.” The networking opportunities and conversations that arise with colleagues and mentors in these situations are sometimes just as interesting and inspiring as the presentation sessions, which are often the main focus for many conference attendees. I spoke at some length with an SLA Fellow about our shared background in computer science and our experiences and ideas for adapting that background to information science. The idea of adapting one’s previous skills and experience into the information profession was also highlighted in the Rising Stars roundtable session, which covered “Collaboration, Alignment, Adaptable Skills, and Building Community.” Adaptable skills, again, also tied into one of Thomas Friedman’s opening keynote themes: what is your “extra?” To stand out in a world that’s getting smaller, “flatter,” and more competitive, we have to identify what it is we can provide that is unique or different and highlight it. For many of us, it may very well be the case that some previous education or experience can be used in creative and unexpected ways to help us stand out. The convergence of these conversations, sessions, and keynotes toward the 2011 “Future Ready” theme was a sign of a great conference comprised of thousands of people coming together on the same wavelength to learn, discuss, even disagree, and go home all the more refreshed and inspired for doing so.
Steven Pryor
2011 Annual Conference Travel Grant Recipient
