LITA Highlights at 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting

ALA Midwinter Conference 2014, Philadelphia

Complete schedule of LITA meetings and Events at ALA Midwinter now available

Use the Conference Scheduler to browse and search events, plan and prioritize your time, and build your personal conference calendar.
 

LITA Midwinter Workshops: Friday, January 24, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Strategic Social Media: Creating Library Community Online

Speakers: Doralyn Rossmann, Scott Young, Angela Tate, Mary Anne Hansen; Montana State University Library

Social media is more than a way to inform users; it is a powerful means to build community. Presenters will go beyond the basics by demonstrating how to create a social media guide for developing communities on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, and Foursquare. Find ways to integrate social media efforts into your organization’s strategic plan and to establish best practices and assessment methodologies. Emphasis includes creating a meaningful voice and a compelling personality.

Level Up Web: Modern Web Development and Management Practices for Libraries

Speakers: Nina McHale, Christine Coughlan; Aten Design Group (CO)

Web development is finally coming into its own in libraries! For decades, we've been relying on third-party vendors to provide us with our web services, but modern CMSs have made it possible for libraries to develop robust sites at reasonable costs. And while more and more libraries are employing full-time developers with a computer science background, there are still many struggling to develop and maintain a minimal web presence outside of the OPAC. Libraries can no longer afford this model of web maintenance, but often, the hardest part of moving forward is not knowing what you don't know! If you've ever felt that way, or don't know HOW to level up your library web site, this session is for you! Topics will include: how to launch and execute a user-centric discovery and design process; content strategy; web governance and staffing; information architecture; managing a web environment/CMS; iterative development; and version control. Attendees will leave with tailored plans, covering both short-term wins and long-term strategies, to "level up" their own web presences when they return to their libraries. This session is intended for librarians and staff of all technical ability levels, from the administrator managing staff who perform web work to the reference librarian contributing web site content to the sysadmin who keeps the servers running. It provides a big picture of the web development process for all who are involved in the process.

Registration:

Rates

  •  LITA Member $235
  •  ALA Member $350
  •  Non-Member $380

How-to

  • Register online for the ALA Midwinter Meeting and add a LITA Institute.
  • It is possible to register for a workshop without registering for the entire ALA Midwinter Meeting. 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 may also add a workshop to your existing Midwinter registration by calling ALA Registration at 1-800-974-3084 or accessing your registration online.
  • You may also register onsite in Philadelphia.

 


Top Technology Trends Discussion Session

Sunday, January 26, 10:30 am - 11:30 am

LITA's premier program on changes and advances in technology. Midwinter format consists of an informal roundtable discussion amongst library technology experts and thought leaders. More information about the program is available at the Top Tech Trends site.


LITA 201

Sunday, January 26, 4:30-5:30 pm

ALA is a broad organization, and it can be difficult to find your niche among so many groups.  That's why LITA offers LITA 201, a more specific orientation to involvement in LITA.  Join us, and learn more about how your technical side fits into the library arena and how active involvement in LITA can help you better meet the challenges of today and troubleshoot the challenges of tomorrow. Find your place in LITA.  Join us for LITA 201 at Midwinter 2014 to:

  • Learn more about LITA and where you fit
  • Become or find a mentor
  • Form your own interest group
  • Network with tech-savvy library colleagues

LITA Happy Hour

Sunday, January 26, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Bar-ly, Chinatown101 N. 11th St, Philadelphia; (215) 922-2688 

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.


LITA President-Elect Rachel Vacek hosts the LITA Town Meeting

Monday, January 27, 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Join your fellow LITA members in a conversation about how LITA responds to and involves its membership in the larger information, association, community-building, and technology-related landscape. For those LITA members who are not able to attend the Town Meeting, information about other avenues of input will be made available.