LITA Events and Programs at 2011 ALA Annual Conference


Preconferences held Friday, June 24, 9:00am-4:30pm


Getting Started with Drupal, MCC 349

Speakers: Nina McHale, University of Colorado Denver; Rachel Vacek, University of Houston

This preconference session will provide a thorough introduction to the Drupal content management system. Librarian Drupalers Rachel Vacek and Nina McHale  will guide attendees as they create Drupal sites in a sandbox environment, covering the basics of content creation, themes, modules, and user management. Previous web experience helpful, but not required. Concludes with demonstrations of innovative Drupal sites, including library sites, library intranets, and an electronic journal.

User Experience Design for Websites, 353

Speaker: Sarah Houghton-Jan, San Jose Public Library

Learn how and why to create positive user experiences in your interactive digital spaces. Work with experts in library web design and user experience design to learn some tips, tricks, and best practices that you can implement immediately. Discover best practices for designing interactive digital spaces: websites, catalogs, mobile apps and sites. Come and learn to do the following: improve the overall usability of your digital spaces; design to meet user needs and goals as well as your own organizational objectives; improve the elegance and beauty of your designs; reduce the number of steps users must take to meet their objectives; reduce excessive features that do not meet user needs; and create manageable project plans to implement user experience design at your library.

Virtualize IT: Laying the Foundation for the Library of the Future, MCC 348

Speaker:  Maurice York, North Carolina State University

Explore how to create a virtualization strategy with a vision towards the library spaces and services of the future. Participants will:

  • use a technology profile of their organization in assessing readiness and fit for virtualization
  • examine how forms of virtualization map to library services and spaces
  • receive tools for estimating savings in hardware costs, utilities, and carbon emissions
  • learn how virtualization and cloud technologies inform planning and transform library spaces

Visit: www.ala.org/annual for registration

  • You do not need to be registered for the ALA Annual Conference to participate in a workshop. To register only for a workshop using the online form; in section "Registration Type," select "Institutes and Ticketed Events Only" then select the workshop in section "Your Events." When you check out, you will pay only for the workshop.
  • You can also fill out this form: http://bit.ly/hUfQ0D, skip Section I, and return by fax to 1-800-521-6017 or mail:
          ALA Registration and Housing Headquarters
          568 Atrium Dr.
          Vernon Hills, IL 60061
  • You may also add a workshop to your existing Annual Conference registration by calling ALA Registration at 1-800-974-3084 or accessing your registration online; add events in the "Your Events" section then check out and pay for the events you've added.

Friday Evening with LITA:  June 24

LITA 101: Open House, MCC 261 

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

LITA Open House is a great opportunity for current and prospective members to talk with Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) leaders and learn how to make connections and become more involved in LITA activities.

LITA Happy Hour

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

The Den at The Howlin' Wolf; 907 S. Peters, New Orleans (504) 529-5844

Please join the LITA Membership Development Committee and members from around the country for networking, good cheer, and great fun! Expect lively conversation and excellent drinks. Cash Bar.


Sunday Afternoon with LITA:  June 26, Morial Convention Center, Auditorium A

Top Technology Trends

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

This program features our ongoing roundtable discussion about trends and advances in library technology by a panel of LITA technology experts. The panelists will describe changes and advances in  technology that they see having an impact on the library world, and suggest what libraries might do to  take advantage of these trends.

LITA Awards and Scholarships

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm 

Presentation of LITA Awards and Scholarships.

Building the Future:  Addressing Library Broadband Connectivity Issues in the 21st Century
LITA President's Program

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

The nation’s first National Broadband Plan was released in 2010.  It set a goal that community anchor institutions—including libraries, schools, higher education—have affordable access to at least 1Gbps connectivity.  But 42% of public libraries have less than 2Mbps connections and many other libraries have broadband issues too.  The president’s program will explore the broadband landscape and how ALA is working with Internet2 to address the broadband needs of libraries, schools and higher education. Hosted by LITA President Karen Starr.

Speaker: Robert Bocher, Technology Consultant with the Wisconsin State Library