I often find it hard to choose sessions at OLA, simply because of the sheer number of sessions offered! Thursday morning will find me reading the program on the subway on the way to the MTCC, just in case I see something that I missed on a previous reading...
I work in a school library, so OSLA sessions are useful, but I also like to attend OLITA sessions because I enjoy hearing about the innovative ways technology could be used in my library. When the program arrives, I look for names I recognise; there are some speakers I'd listen to regardless of what they are talking about! I have a tentative schedule, which I submitted with my registration, but I'm sure this will change as I hear other speakers, and get recommendations from colleagues.
So, how do you choose the sessions that you will attend?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Tips for newbies to Supercon
I was looking back at my old files (occasionally I get the urge to weed something other than my school library collection) and saw that I have been attending the OLA Superconference since 2000. I didn't think it's been that many years! Anyhoo, a new TL in my board asked if I had any advice for someone new to the OLA Superconference. This is word-for-word what I wrote to her (I can vow it's word-for-word since I just copied and pasted it from my e-mail in-box!)
Wear comfortable shoes. Bring your P-card if you have one. Attend the sessions you signed up for and collect the handouts, so you can show your admin all that you learned from the conference. Don't lose your badge that you get on the first day - it has free drink tickets for various events in the early evening. Bring your list of what sessions you signed up for so you don't forget. Oh, and you can bring your admin for free on one of the days you attend.
******************
I'd also add, try not to walk out mid-way through a session or be a "session hopper" (yeah, you folks know who you are ;>). I've been tempted to do this in the past because there are *so* many good sessions going on, often at the same time. Some people decide to go to three simultaneous sessions. Modus operandi: they sneak in, sit at the back, grab the handouts and then run to the next session and do the same. Trust me, it's not worth it. You miss the flow of the workshop and the handout scam often means that the presenters run out of handouts for the poor souls that have stayed for the whole show. Don't come between a librarian and their free handouts, especially when they've put in the time!
Okay. Getting. Off. Soapbox.
Wear comfortable shoes. Bring your P-card if you have one. Attend the sessions you signed up for and collect the handouts, so you can show your admin all that you learned from the conference. Don't lose your badge that you get on the first day - it has free drink tickets for various events in the early evening. Bring your list of what sessions you signed up for so you don't forget. Oh, and you can bring your admin for free on one of the days you attend.
******************
I'd also add, try not to walk out mid-way through a session or be a "session hopper" (yeah, you folks know who you are ;>). I've been tempted to do this in the past because there are *so* many good sessions going on, often at the same time. Some people decide to go to three simultaneous sessions. Modus operandi: they sneak in, sit at the back, grab the handouts and then run to the next session and do the same. Trust me, it's not worth it. You miss the flow of the workshop and the handout scam often means that the presenters run out of handouts for the poor souls that have stayed for the whole show. Don't come between a librarian and their free handouts, especially when they've put in the time!
Okay. Getting. Off. Soapbox.
Speaking of Cutting Edge
Has everyone seen what John Blyberg, from Ann Arbor, created for their catalogue? On January 21st, John announced on his blog that he had created a social catalogue and released the code. Ann Arbor uses III and he has released the code for people to play with. There has been so much talk on the blogosphere about how catalogue vendors are not responsive and flexible to the needs of libraries and library users - and John did something about it. Congratulations John!
John Blyberg will be at OLA and presenting Saturday morning with Michael Stephens and Amanda Etches-Johnson on Top Tech Trends.
John Blyberg will be at OLA and presenting Saturday morning with Michael Stephens and Amanda Etches-Johnson on Top Tech Trends.
My Pre-SuperConference Weekend
From reading the first few posts in this blog, I certainly get the sense that we are all getting excited, and trying to build up our stamina! I spent the weekend huddled over my laptop, working on my presentations for the conference. I'm finally starting to get the sense of calm that sets in when you think you are more or less ready.
I'm very enthused about the theme for this year's conference, Solutions in a Changing Landscape. The information and the information technology landscapes are certainly changing rapidly. Although in my "day job" I am very involved in ICT in the curriculum, I find that I learn the most about the cutting edge at SuperConference. We are so fortunate to have this association, which is always looking forward at the big ideas. The other great strength of the conference is the opportunity to learn from our colleagues in other library sectors.
So, I'm preparing to be stimulated and ultimately exhausted. See you all there!
I'm very enthused about the theme for this year's conference, Solutions in a Changing Landscape. The information and the information technology landscapes are certainly changing rapidly. Although in my "day job" I am very involved in ICT in the curriculum, I find that I learn the most about the cutting edge at SuperConference. We are so fortunate to have this association, which is always looking forward at the big ideas. The other great strength of the conference is the opportunity to learn from our colleagues in other library sectors.
So, I'm preparing to be stimulated and ultimately exhausted. See you all there!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Picking sessions....
One of the best parts of OLA, I find, is the anticipation. Checking the session listings and deciding what to attend. First stop, for sure, is Cory Doctorow's all conference event on Wednesday evening. He mentioned on his blog this week that Forbes magazine named him "one of the top 25 Web Celebrities for 2007".
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Always something new...
I'm preparing myself mentally for this conference because I usually run out of mental steam by about 4.00 p.m. There are so many fascinating ideas that spark my interest that need to be mulled over for a few days to settle in. This blog is a really great solution because it helps me to articulate what my responses were to the sessions when thoughts are fresh. Thanks for this great resource. I hope the links for the speaker notes come out early after the sessions. Our new school semester begins so quickly that it's helpful to be able to wrap up conference matters soon.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Anticipation........
So Superconference time is nearing and I cannot wait to go!!! I love the excitement of learning new things, talking with other librarians and having a great time in ole TO!
Yes, you guessed it - I'm a conference newbie. This will be my third OLA conference. Better than all the others! I have my schedule planned out, my car pool arranged, and even a breakfast with an author arranged!
I anticipate that I shall sleep for three days after it ends, but all the free stuff from the expo, and the knowledge that I will gain is sooooo worth it.
Not signed up yet folks??? YOU should be. It's one of the few times we library staffers run TO - watch out locals, the bun squad is coming!
Jen
Yes, you guessed it - I'm a conference newbie. This will be my third OLA conference. Better than all the others! I have my schedule planned out, my car pool arranged, and even a breakfast with an author arranged!
I anticipate that I shall sleep for three days after it ends, but all the free stuff from the expo, and the knowledge that I will gain is sooooo worth it.
Not signed up yet folks??? YOU should be. It's one of the few times we library staffers run TO - watch out locals, the bun squad is coming!
Jen
I'm backing my bags!!!!!!
Greetings to all.
I'm certainly looking forward to this year's Superconference and welcome the opportunity to blog about it as it happens. I only wish that the MCC didn't charge such exorbitant rates for wireless access in the facility.
Is there any way to get a reduced rate as this is an OLA experiment?
My fall back of course is the hotel complimentary wireless network which I certainly will put to good use but still it would be nice to be able to blog on the spot.
See all in about a week.
Cheers
Bill
I'm certainly looking forward to this year's Superconference and welcome the opportunity to blog about it as it happens. I only wish that the MCC didn't charge such exorbitant rates for wireless access in the facility.
Is there any way to get a reduced rate as this is an OLA experiment?
My fall back of course is the hotel complimentary wireless network which I certainly will put to good use but still it would be nice to be able to blog on the spot.
See all in about a week.
Cheers
Bill
Monday, January 22, 2007
Welcome to the SuperConference blog
Hello everyone,
Thank you for taking the time to visit the blog. This is something new we will be trying this year and we are hoping the content added will bring a new level of connectivity to your conference experience. This blog will be a supplement to the SuperNews newsletter, which is distributed to conference delegates each morning, and is intended to add a little "flavour" to the upcoming 4 days.
If you are interested in contributing to the blog with your experiences, thoughts on sessions attended, or anything else you can think of, please send an email to me at tballa@accessola.com.
The final countdown is now on! Many pre-conference badges (over 1,400 in total) have already been mailed out. If you do not receive your badge in the mail, it will be available for pickup at the registration desk at the convention centre. Always remember that if you are running late in the morning, head directly to your session and pickup your badge afterwards so you don't miss a thing.
Start off your conference experience by attending the Art of Mentoring session at 6:30 on Wednesday night followed by the welcome party at 9:30, brought to you by CVS and Whitehots.
Thank you and see you in 10 days!
Trevor
Thank you for taking the time to visit the blog. This is something new we will be trying this year and we are hoping the content added will bring a new level of connectivity to your conference experience. This blog will be a supplement to the SuperNews newsletter, which is distributed to conference delegates each morning, and is intended to add a little "flavour" to the upcoming 4 days.
If you are interested in contributing to the blog with your experiences, thoughts on sessions attended, or anything else you can think of, please send an email to me at tballa@accessola.com.
The final countdown is now on! Many pre-conference badges (over 1,400 in total) have already been mailed out. If you do not receive your badge in the mail, it will be available for pickup at the registration desk at the convention centre. Always remember that if you are running late in the morning, head directly to your session and pickup your badge afterwards so you don't miss a thing.
Start off your conference experience by attending the Art of Mentoring session at 6:30 on Wednesday night followed by the welcome party at 9:30, brought to you by CVS and Whitehots.
Thank you and see you in 10 days!
Trevor
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