Practical Applications of Technology in Public Libraries Meeting Highlights

ALA Annual Conference 2006, New Orleans, LA

June 25, 2006

-Discussion of program of self-service in libraries, e-commerce, self-checking, self-reference, self-checkout.

-Discussion of current program to be presented at ALA 2006, Presentation of several difference topics, presenters.

Members present: Mary Little, Andrew Peters, Denise Siers, Ross McLachlan, Karen Hyman

Members absent: Alan Harness, Christopher Jowaisas, Wei Jeng-Chu

ALA Midwinter Meeting 2004, January 11, 2004

Present: Ross McLachlan, Mickey Anne Garcia, Karen Hyman, Andy Peters

Absent: Frank Bridge, Holly Carroll, Kent Dean, Karen Armand, Wendy Lee, Mary Miller, Dale Powers, Michael Stevens

Visitors: Rhea Brown Lawson

The first part of our meeting was a joint meeting with a representative from the Technology in Public Libraries to finalize plans for our preconference in Seattle at the 2004 PLA Conference.

With a charge of apprising PLA members of current and future trends, issues and best practices at conferences, we began the program planning for ALA 2005. Having outlined possible topics at our last meeting in Toronto, we added to the list, projected into the near future, and selected a working title and the framework for the one-day preconferences. The suggested title is Technology Solutions/Solving Problems. The preconference will focus on collection security and management, communications with patrons, and corporate culture and technology management. A proposal is being prepared and will be submitted by the May 1st deadline.

ALA Annual Conference, June 16, 2002

Present: Frank Bridge, Susan Kent (speaker), Ross McLachlan, Andy Peters, Diana Sachs, Holly Carroll, Karen Hyman, Bruce Ziegman, Mickey Anne Hinojosa, Dale Powers

Did introductions and reviewed the committee membership. Jo Ann Oliphant has dropped off the committee. PLA is offering the open spot to Michael Stevens of Baltimore County.

Holly reported that the Technology Committee had dropped plans for a pre-conference in Toronto because we are doing one. They asked that we leave the annual 2004 conference for them which we agreed to do.

We reaffirmed that our Toronto pre-conference will be aimed at those with decision-making authority or ability to influence the direction of their organization. This includes directors, other managers & trustees.

We changed the title to: "Public Libraries: Adding Value in a Warp-Speed World."

Everyone seemed to feel good about the speaker lineup despite the fact that 4 of 5 are from California.

The objectives are to have people leave feeling encouraged to be creative, take risks and make their libraries as relevant as they can be. Further, they should leave with some practical ideas of things they can do when they go back.

Two members expressed their hope that speakers would include discussions about how their ideas/products/services relate to diverse populations.

Speakers are encouraged to talk about what worked and why it worked. Also, what didn't work and why. And all in terms that others could adapt - not just telling the story of their experience. While speakers should emphasize the technological aspects of their endeavors, they should bear in mind that the program is not intended for IT Managers.

Thursday is a problem for Susan Kent. Program needs to be on Friday.

PLA is a division of the American Library Association. Copyright Statement.