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The ALA Conference of My Dreams
June 25, 2007

Not being a die-hard ALA conference goer, I'm wrapping up my participation today (Monday) and zipping off to the airport midday. Others will be staying through Tuesday or Wednesday or even later.

I find myself thinking about what my perfect ALA Conference experience would be. Keep in mind I'm dreaming, so getting all of my wishes is unlikely. But there are a number of improvements that are completely in the realm of possibility, even if improbable given the ponderous nature of ALA.

I want a conference where all the must-see programs are not scheduled in one or two time slots (1:30-3:00 on Saturday and Sunday). I want a conference that isn't spread all over a city where one must take a bus (or heaven help you, two as had to in Miami one year) a fair distance to get from one meeting to the next (I realize this particular wish is likely unattainable, but one can dream).

I want a conference where open wireless Internet is ubiquitous (ALA did wonderfully this year at the conference center, but the hotels were much spottier). We are well beyond the time when connectivity is optional. I was at a program where Adam Smith from Google rightly expressed surprise and dismay at not having Internet access (although he had prepared for such a situation).

I want a conference where there are plenty of opportunities to meet with like-minded individuals to both see old friends and make new ones. An excellent example of this is the OCLC Blog Salon (sponsored by my employer). Bloggers of all kinds attend, and I never fail to have a good time (I attended long before joining OCLC). It's nice have a congenial space, food, drink, and no one after your business card or trying to sell you product.

I want a conference that welcomes the kind of inventive programming created on a rapid planning timeline that is so different from the typical plan-18-months-in-advance ALA program. A prime example of this is the LITA BIGWIG Social Software Showcase. Things are moving very rapidly in our profession these days and we need to respond in kind. Kudos to the LITA Interest Group folks (Michelle Boule, Karen Coombs, and Jason Griffey) brave enough to challenge the dominant paradigm.

Overall, this year's ALA was an amazing experience, despite these issues. After all, it is definitely still "The Show".

Posted by Roy Tennant on June 25, 2007 | Comments (2)