[Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult times

[Brian Gray]

Robert, you are way over simplifying the person's comments and the
conference experience.

Brian Gray
mindspiral at gmail.com
bcg8 at case.edu


On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 12:53 PM, Robert L. Balliot <
rballiot at oceanstatelibrarian.com> wrote:

>
> The topic was: Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult times
>
> If attendees actually participate - such as deliver papers, conduct
> meetings, and contribute to the event in some recognizable way, that seems
> justifiable. Snacks, bookmarks and gossip and a nebulous valuation of
> networking, however, do not quantify.  I have never heard of any group
> defining a professional activity as snacks, bookmarks, and gossip. But, I
> guess they could ~
>
> "How do you like the conference so far?"
> "It is great. It only cost two thousand dollars and I get to be away from
> work for a few days."
> "How is work going?"
> "I hate it there, I never seem to get anything done."
> "I'm with you there! Same at my library."
> "Hey, have you tried these snacks? I like the spicy pigs-in-a-blanket
> best!"
> "Me too. Oh, did you hear? They are giving away bookmarks today at the
> vendor booth."
> "Really? We don't have bookmarks and vendors will never show us anything
> out
> our library.  I am certainly glad I came!"
> "Me too! Here is my card, glad we could share."
>
> Sadly, there are many, many libraries cutting materials budgets, staff,
> services, and hours while others snack on.
>
> *************************************************
> Robert L. Balliot
> Skype: RBalliot
> Bristol, Rhode Island
> http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
>