[Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult times / Dissolution of Reference

Wed Feb 10 10:49:58 EST 2010

David,

Could you provide a definition for your use of  'discovery'?

R. Balliot
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com

On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:34 PM, Walker, David <dwalker at calstate.edu> wrote:

> > Could you provide a few examples of the problems you face in
> > libraries that are not investigated and discussed in a book or an
> article?
>
> Discussing a problem, and finding (or developing) a solution that meets
> your local needs, are two very different things.
>
> Take discovery, for example.  It's a large, complex problem that academic
> libraries have been working on for decades.
>
> Are there books and articles that have investigated various aspects of the
> problem?  Too many to count.  Can I just pick up a book and find a "fix" for
> my library?  Nope.  And that was the point I was making.
>
> Attending conferences allows me to keep up on the latest work in this area
> -- and there's a lot going on.  It allows me to form relationships with
> vendors and other libraries that have led to projects that address some of
> these problems.  And, as I mentioned previously, my employer has seen real,
> tangible (as in actual $$$ saved) benefits in that.
>
> --Dave
>
> ==================
> David Walker
> Library Web Services Manager
> California State University
> http://xerxes.calstate.edu
>
>
> From: Robert Balliot [rballiot at gmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 3:23 PM
> To: Walker, David
> Cc: rballiot at oceanstatelibrarian.com; Ross Singer; web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult
> times / Dissolution of Reference
>
>
> Dave,
>
> Could you provide a few examples of the problems you face in libraries that
> are not investigated and discussed in a book or an article?
>
> Of course, once you do that, they will be and the point will be moot.
>
> ~
>
> On a tangential topic, one of the things that troubles me most about the
> library profession is the dissolution of reference.  Online access to
> information through websites is sold as a replacement to human interaction.
>  Dave has stated that  forming relationships helps to solve his problems.
> That is what great reference librarians do. They develop relationships with
> patrons / students using interpersonal skills and oral delivery.
>
> Main Street problems have certainly hit academia.  At Brown, they face a
> $740 million endowment loss.  The pressure to take early retirement is there
> and three of the most skilled subject specialists that I know are leaving.
>  Their massive cumulative knowledge and interpersonal delivery skill is
> going to be lost.  Can it be replaced by computer interaction?  Will web
> based interaction be the most effective process or will it effectively lead
> to a dumbing down of libraries?  If answers are not directly available from
> the web catalog, will they be considered unanswered?
>
> Yesterday, Library Journal told me that they only had a 'record' of four
> book reviews I did for them between 2007 and 2009.  I started reviewing
> books for them in 1997, but the humans who knew that are gone.
>
> R. Balliot
> http://oceanstatelibrarian.com
>
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 2:57 PM, Walker, David <dwalker at calstate.edu>
> wrote:
>
> Robert,
>
> Many of the problems we face in libraries are not simple.  You can't just
> read a book to find a fix.  Emailing people out of the blue can only get you
> so far.
>
> Having the opportunity to talk in depth with colleagues and vendors at
> conferences about common problems, and forming relationships that can lead
> to continued conversations (and even full-blown projects) after the
> conference is, I think, invaluable.
>
> It's an investment.  And, like any investment, it may take time to pay off.
>
> For example, some of the contacts I've made at conferences over the last
> five years were critical to us implementing an open source system here to
> replace an older commercial system -- to the tune of $30k in annual savings.
>  Was it worth it, then, for my employer to send me to those conferences?
>  You bet, and then some!
>
> That being said, the State of California is not footing any conference
> travel for me this year.
>
>
> --Dave
>
> ==================
> David Walker
> Library Web Services Manager
> California State University
> http://xerxes.calstate.edu
>
>
>
> From: Robert L. Balliot [rballiot at oceanstatelibrarian.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 10:56 AM
> To: Walker, David; 'Ross Singer'; 'Robert Balliot'
>
> Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult
> times
>
>
>
>
> Dave,
>
> California has a "$19.9 billion deficit for the remaining five months of
> this fiscal year" - San Jose Mercury.
>
>
> You *may* be able to solve a problem at work by getting state funds to go
> to a conference and "gossiping over snacks"? You *may* make a contact that
> is helpful in the future?
>
> You *may* be able to solve a problem at work by finding and reading a book
> by an expert on the problem. You could contact the author for more
> information.
>
>
> *************************************************
> Robert L. Balliot
> Skype: RBalliot
> Bristol, Rhode Island
> http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
> *************************************************
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Walker, David [mailto:dwalker at calstate.edu]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 1:34 PM
> To: Robert L. Balliot; 'Ross Singer'; 'Robert Balliot'
> Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult
> times
>
> Informally talking to people at conferences about the problems you face at
> work  -- the "gossiping over snacks" comment made earlier -- might very well
> lead to ideas for how to solve those problems, as well as contacts who can
> be useful to you in future projects.
>
>
> --Dave
>
> ==================
> David Walker
> Library Web Services Manager
> California State University
> http://xerxes.calstate.edu
> ________________________________________
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On
> Behalf Of Robert L. Balliot [rballiot at oceanstatelibrarian.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:53 AM
> To: 'Ross Singer'; 'Robert Balliot'
> Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult
> times
>
> 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
> *************************************************
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Ross Singer
> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 12:18 PM
> To: Robert Balliot
> Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult
> times
>
> Employers understand the dynamics of conferences as well.  The
> "social" effects are positive - you learn as much or more from
> interacting with peers, former colleagues, etc. as you do from formal
> presentations.
>
> Employers understand this because /everybody goes to conferences at some
> point/.
>
> Code4Lib (for example) has really struggled with the balance between
> the traditional "we need formal presentations so people can be assured
> travel funding" and "how can we utilize these 250 smart people in a
> room for 2.5 days".
>
> Personally, I don't usually get much "new" or "useful" or the
> intersection thereof from majority of presentations at any conference
> I attend.  There is generally a plethora of useful connections,
> information, ideas, and collaboration however at lunch, between
> sessions, during breaks, at the bar, etc.
>
> We are, after all, supposed to be professionals, right?  These aren't
> training seminars; they're gatherings of our like-minded (or
> like-jobbed) peers to discuss our given successes and problems.
>
> -Ross.
>
> On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 10:51 AM, Robert Balliot <rballiot at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Yes, those are marketing methods that make a conference more attractive
> to
> > you and I am certain they are important to other people too.
> >
> > But, how exactly do snacks, gossip, and bookmarks benefit your employer?
> If
> > that is the *real benefit* of a meeting or conference, then how would an
> > employer justify the expense?
> >
> >
> > R. Balliot
> > http://oceanstatelibrarian.com
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 10:27 AM, Gillian Wiseman
> <gwiseman at ci.waco.tx.us>wrote:
> >
> >> Speaking merely as an attendee of many conferences, both local
> >> workshops, state library association conferences, and national
> >> conferences (CIL, ALA, etc...) the real benefit to ME from going to
> >> conferences isn't the "meet the speaker" opportunity.
> >>
> >> It is having snacks at a table in the hallway with three other
> >> librarians from other states and cities, gossiping about how hard it is
> >> to do "this" or overcome "that". It's the little things like bringing
> >> bookmarks home for the teens and saying "I picked those with you in
> >> mind". Or seeing a particular product in person, touching it and talking
> >> to the vendor about a specific application I had in mind in my library.
> >>
> >> No level of videoconferencing will ever completely replace that; which
> >> said, if I have to choose between NOT getting any conference, and
> >> attending the programs online, I'll take online any day.
> >>
> >> Gillian Wiseman
> >> Electronic Resources Librarian
> >> Waco-McLennan County Library
> >> 1717 Austin Ave
> >> Waco TX 76701
> >> 254-750-5944
> >> gwiseman at ci.waco.tx.us
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> >> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Jill O'Neill
> >> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 7:28 AM
> >> To: 'John Fereira'
> >> Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> >>   Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in
> difficult
> >> times
> >>
> >> Speaking as an event organizer, I am sure that most conferences are
> >> seeing
> >> shifts in a variety of ways. Certainly speakers require more
> >> subsidization
> >> of travel. Organizations don't send as many people to a single
> >> conference as
> >> they might have done five years ago. Costs are up in the hospitality
> >> industry in terms of catering and that too may force associations to
> >> re-evaluate traditional practices in supplying attendees. There are the
> >> issues associated with technology (such as supplying wi-fi to
> >> registrants).
> >>
> >> That said, one of the most frequently cited rationales for attending a
> >> conference in a face-to-face setting is associated with the opportunity
> >> to
> >> meet the real person. Doing it online offsets limited travel, but
> >> there's
> >> nothing like shaking a hard in real time and in real space to cement a
> >> connection.
> >>
> >> So, John, I would suggest to you that conference attendance *will*
> >> change
> >> over the course of the next ten years, but we're not entirely done with
> >> physical bodies gathering in a ballroom to discuss issues and celebrate
> >> successes!
> >>
> >> And while we're on the topic of attending conferences, this year's NFAIS
> >> Annual Conference features speakers Clay Shirky, Lorcan Dempsey, John
> >> Wilbanks, and Peter Brantley (http://bit.ly/5TOr1q). The venue is the
> >> Hyatt
> >> at the Bellevue in Philadelphia and the dates are February 28-Mar 2,
> >> 2009.
> >> But the theme of the conference is what is most relevant to this
> >> audience,
> >> Redefining the Value of Information: Exploring the New Equation!
> >>
> >> Jill
> >>
> >>
> >> Jill O'Neill
> >> Director, Planning & Communication
> >> NFAIS
> >> (v) 215-893-1561
> >> (email) jilloneill at nfais.org
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> >> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of John Fereira
> >> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 6:53 AM
> >> To: a.j.p.van.den.brekel at med.umcg.nl
> >> Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> >> Subject: [Web4lib] Attending/Presenting at conferences in difficult
> >> times
> >>
> >> a.j.p.van.den.brekel at med.umcg.nl wrote:
> >> > International conference on emerging technologies in academic
> >> libraries
> >> 2010 (emtacl10)
> >> > 26-28 April 2010, Trondheim, Norway
> >> >
> >> > This is a new international conference for academic librarians,
> >> information professionals, academic staff, students, library system
> >> developers and suppliers, among others. The conference aims to provide
> >> answers to the following questions: What can academic libraries do to
> >> address change? How can we adapt? Which technologies can/should/must we
> >> use/create? (View the conference programme
> >> > <http://www.ntnu.no/ub/emtacl/?programme>)
> >>
> >> This looks like a good conference.  "Unfortunately" I'm going to be
> >> presenting a workshop at a conference in Montpellier, France on the
> >> 28th. Feel my pain.
> >>
> >> Actually, the real reason for responding (although I changed the
> >> subject) was that I was wondering how others managed to go to
> >> conferences such as these across the pond (for those of us in North
> >> America).
> >>
> >> I've been on the planning committee for an open source organization
> >> (Jasig) conference for the past several years and the registration
> >> numbers for our upcoming and previous conference are way down.  Most
> >> institutions just won't foot the bill to send people to conferences.
> >> Over the past couple of years it seems that almost every conference
> >> announcement I see eventually has a "registration deadline extended"
> >> post so I suspect that conferences in general are getting lower
> >> attendance figures.
> >>
> >>
> >> At my library I can essentially attend only one library funded
> >> conference a year (my attendance at one in Montpellier is being paid for
> >>
> >> by an external source).  Do ya'll pay your own way to some of the
> >> conferences that you attend?  The Handheld Librarian conference last
> >> year and the one upcoming have set a pretty good precedent for how
> >> effective a virtual conference can be.  Is that the direction that we
> >> will be going?  While I made a lot of good contacts through the last
> >> hhlib, those face-to-face encounters just can be duplicated virtually.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Web4lib mailing list
> >> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> >> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Web4lib mailing list
> >> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> >> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Web4lib mailing list
> >> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> >> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >>
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
> > Web4lib mailing list
> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>