So, last week a coworker and I attended the Mountain Plains Library Association conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I didn’t get to see much of the area, but I love what I’ve seen of New Mexico. I could see myself living there.
After attending only two conferences, I have to say I am getting a little antsy to present- but I feel that I don’t have enough experience yet. All the presenters could talk about practical applications of what they’re doing in their libraries. I am really looking forward to getting my first “real” library job- while I work in a library right now, I am basically a secretary, and have little to do with the library at all.
A fellow student and I are going to present at the C&U/TSRT Joint Spring Meeting in May. The theme is “The Next Generation Library” and we’re presenting “Library-friendly technology: applications that work @your library” – mostly the presentation will be geared towards using portable applications to try out new technology when you can’t install anything on your computer. I’ll provide a CD with applications that people can copy right over to a keydrive- most can even be run right from the CD! The hard part will be keeping the discussion short enough – it’s only an hour, so I only have about 20 minutes to demo the software.
There is a deadline today to submit proposals for fall’s Nebraska Library Association conference, but I have decided against that. I have been stressed this semester- 3 classes and full time work (plus the conference and presentation and, well, life) are proving to be a bit much for me. I’ll take a Library Instruction Use class in the fall that will involve presenting before the conference anyway, so that’ll be enough.
One of the sessions at the MPLA conference that really excited me was “Developing Online Multimedia Tutorials for Library Resources and Instruction” (See the presenters’ Website). I am excited about the possibilities of distance learning, and can see how librarians can have a HUGE impact on making distance learning an enjoyable and interactive experience for students. I would love to be part of that- helping build community for distance ed students, helping to design courses and provide course content, serving as a point of reference and school contact for distance ed students. The thing I love about distance ed is that it offers the opportunity for students to attend classes they would never be able to otherwise, and allows a professional to attend classes to further their career without being tied to a place. I have decided that, instead of trying to present more this next year, I will try to hone my skills in making online “presentations” or tutorials. Which means, I’ll have to record my voice. Scary.
There were other sessions at the MPLA conference I enjoyed a lot:
- Wikis in Collaborative Learning presented by Kathleen Kelsey and Roy Degler at Oklahoma State University – This was interesting and I liked the discussion about vandalism. I was, however, mildly disturbed by all the naysayers. People were especially concerned about ownership of intellectual content, which is really something I hope we can get away from as we move into the age of remixing to build new ideas. I have a lot of thinking to do in this area.
- Imaging: Worth a Second Look presented by Gina L.B. Minks, Amigos Library Services – A nice overview of imaging for libraries with little budget. Gina used to work where I do- libraryland is a small world!
- Launching 90 Languages for Your Patrons: Language Learning and Global Culture in the Library by Stephen Shorb and Marvel Maring at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (where I attend classes once a month) – I loved this presentation! I have seen the language learning center at UNO and it’s a great looking area and a great resource. This is a great example of new directions libraries can take to enhance education.
- Keynote Speaker: Joseph Janes – Joseph is a great speaker- I would be happy to one day be a fraction as good as him. The talk itself wasn’t groundbreaking for me, but it was exciting and uplifting anyway.
As you might have guessed, I have been busy lately, but there’s an end in site- or at least a slowdown. the next two weeks will be spent working on my cataloging records (ugh) and my final presentation for my “Special Libraries” class.