Tag Archives | Shanachies

Posing for a photo at last night's LITA Open House were (l-r) Gert van den Boogaard (DOK), Jaap van de Geer (DOK), Andrew Pace (LITA President), Erik Boekesteijn (DOK), and Mary Taylor (LITA Executive Director,ALA)

ALA’s Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) will offer what LITA Executive Director Mary Taylor described as “some very special programming” on Sunday.  Highlights include LITA’s ever-popular “Top Technology Trends” panel (1:30-3:30 p.m.), followed by awards and the LITA President’s program (4:00-5:30 p.m.), which will feature the innovative work of the Delft Public Library (DOK).  Events take place in the Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel.

For all library technology hounds, Mary also recommends LITA’s oft-controversial session on Monday:  The Ultimate Debate.  This year’s debate topic is:  Has Library 2.0 Fulfilled Its Promise?  Moderated by Roy Tennant, speakers will include:  Meredith Farkas, Cindi Trainor, David Lee King, and Michael Porter–1:30-3:00 p.m., McCormick Place West, W-181.

Dick Kaser, ITI, VP, Content

Not having a fancy phone like Kathy, I’ve been plodding through the Event Planner. I do wish it had full session descriptions, not just the name, time, location, and ALA sponsor. Plus, it’s dropped me several times.  As far as I can tell,  much of what I’m interested in is at the conference center rather than hotels. So you’ll probably see me down there. I plan on spending some of my time at the Information Today Inc. booth (#4525) where we’re having a half-price subscription offer for new personal subscribers to ONLINE. The company also has book signings scheduled (hey, it’s ALA, there’s book signings all over the place!) and there’s always candy to be had. Do swing by!

I’m starting Friday, however, with the LITA open house at the Palmer House. It looks like most of Saturday and Sunday I’ll be at McCormick, running back to the hotel area for the Sunday LITA President’s Program with the Shanachies. Things I’m interested in: Electronic resources, all things 2.0 (and 3.0), future technologies.

With over 25,000 people so far registered for ALA, Chicago will (once again) be overrun with librarians. In spite of the economic climate, the registration numbers for ALA are very encouraging. The conference itself is always a bit (OK, more than a bit)  overwhelming. Here’s hoping I actually get to the sessions I want to hear!

Marydee Ojala, Editor, ONLINE: Exploring Technology & Resources for Information Professionals