[Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult times

[Robert Balliot]

Brian, there is no universal 'conference experience'.

R. Balliot
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com




On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 6:45 PM, Brian Gray <mindspiral at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>>
>
>