I was thinking today, after reading through the many different reports about the recently concluded Computers in Libraries conference, that after having read all of them, I feel as if I did not miss much by not attending. This is something new, I think. Lorcan Dempsey phrases the phenomenon in a much more cerebral way than I can. He wonders whether this is "some inflection point in the libary [sic] communications ecosystem" but I think we’re talking about the same thing. I got tired of some of the same, repetitive stuff being presented (how many times are we going to read about Roy Tennant’s gospel about what’s wrong with OPACS and who the "good ‘uns" are??); like Walt Crawford, who made some comments about reports on his blog, I think that some of the new and cool stuff doesn’t live up to the hype. And I particularly got tired of the "fangirly" comments about — gush — actually being able to — gush — speak face-to-face with the Library Gods (a.k.a. aforementioned Mr. Dempsey, among others). Yes, I’m being sarcastic. However in spite of these distractions, the reporting was really, really good overall. Link that together with the photos already on Flickr under the tag "cil2006" and you get a more well rounded sense of what went on, who was there, and so forth. And then there are the umpteen links to the presentation material itself, readily available to download, look at, and digest over time.
I think this phenomenon is important, because a.) conferences are really expensive and time-consuming to attend; and b.) oftentimes they are a waste of the time and expense that you put into them. In many ways I’d much rather read about it (and peruse other media about it, such as photos) than take the trouble to go only to be frustrated for the low return on investment. Yes, ALA, I’m pointing the finger at you in particular.
Anyway, because I choose to not attend many conferences because I don’t want to be away from my family, I hope for more of the same in terms of blog reports from conferences that I have missed. Many thanks to those who provided their insights from Computers in Libraries 2006.
I have to admit that I go to ALA primarily for face-to-face interaction, exhibits, informal discussions, discussion groups: my formal program attendance is spotty, and has been for a long time. (That may be why I tend to prefer Midwinter, where there are essentially no formal programs, to Annual.) On the other hand, in the past, when I’ve gone to state library association conferences (where I was speaking), I’ve frequently found the programs illuminating, possibly because they’re at a different level and don’t feature the name-brand speakers as heavily.
The wealth of conference blogging was interesting. I find that I can’t read the long list of short bulleted phrases (sort of PowerPoint on a blog), which may be most common with real-time blogging; they never seem to come together for me. But some bloggers have done wonderfully thoughtful summations of programs–sometimes even with their own commentary. Good stuff.
Walt, the face-to-face aspect to conference attendance is, of course, critical. And yes, I think ALA is overpriced, but even there, the personal interaction of seeing so many colleagues in one general setting can be highly beneficial. I don’t think the proliferation of conference reporting via blogs, and photos posted on Flickr or elsewhere, as well as links to presentation materials, can fully substitute for a good conference experience “in the flesh.” But it’s reaching a point where the sense of what has come out of a particular conference is conveyed very well in this manner, and that is noteworthy.
NASIG conferences are justifiably famous for mixing generally excellent programming with a heavy emphasis on the personal, face-to-face aspect. And the cost is (still) reasonable.
You’re entitled to your sarcasm; I was being decidedly silly. Every once in a while, I do that.
Dorothea, ok, I get it. I linked to your post because you were the first to mention it. But you weren’t the only one. It was the proliferation of comments in this tenor (and worse), not just yours, that pushed me over the edge toward sarcasm. Rereading my comment this a.m. in the light of day shows me I was too harsh.
No worries; I wasn’t offended.
I guess I’m a little disappointed, though. We’re not allowed to be excited about other people in our profession? We can’t admit a thrill at meeting people who shape it?
Sure, squeeing is more than a little sophomoric. But “I deeply respect so-and-so because of her N years doing X…” is BORING. Librarianship has enough of the boring. I don’t think slipping it a little of the squee is a bad thing.
I agree that we in librarianship tend to be too serious or “academic.” Ok, boring. I also agree that “slipping i[n] a little of the squee” is a good thing. My personal tendency is to dislike treating certain people like rock stars, that’s all. (E.g. it was ironic, to me, that Lorcan Dempsey mentioned U2 and Bono in one of his posts about CIL2006.) I have a personal disdain for our society’s tendency toward celebrification (madeup word) of just about everything. Emphasis is on the word personal. Just my opinion.
I got that impression too: that with a good blog report or two and the photos, no need to really be there. Not that I could afford to be there, but I will leave the issue of funding or the lack thereof aside. Like Walt, a lot of the bulleted real time posts are mostly useless to me. However, the few that actually write out something thoughtful with some value added in the form of commentary, now that I find useful because, in some small measure, I can learn something. Anyhow, just a thought. Best, and keep on blogging.
P.S. I hate celebrification as well. Do I respect those who have done a lot for the profession? Sure, but don’t expect me to worship at their altar anytime soon.
P.P.S. I have a family as well, as since we both take care of our child (no sitters except on special ocassions), me traveling (In the rare instance) often means having to do logistical magic since we work different schedules. Then again, aside from you and a couple, family does not seem much of a factor in the biblioblogosphere. Again, just a thought.
A few comments:
1) as regards “how many times are we going to read about…what’s wrong with OPACS?” Well, I am sure that Roy and I will stop on this one just as soon as the problem is actually fixed. Keep in mind that that particular program was co-presented and Roy’s portion was a necessary setup for mine, which was a presentation about who’s actually making radical changes.
2) as regards “squee”: Yes, it’s a tad juvenile, but no less palatable than blogging professional navel-gazing without actually affecting change in libraries. Moreover, most of the squee does not disturb me because it is not groupie-like….most of those expressing admiration for their peers (peers, not rock stars please!) are actually writing and presenting themselves. Groupies never get up on stage.
3) As regards library presentations: My dissatisfaction with the vast majority of library presentations is what made me want to be a presenter. My dissatisfaction with most library literature made me want to write things differently. I don’t think that Lorcan’s mention of a change in the eco-system implied a negative change. He was reflecting on audience involvement and awareness of the presenter…both important.
I would encourage you, Steve, to get out there. Balancing a family and a profession is difficult, I know first hand, but if you really have something to say, you should be out there saying it! The challenge is to not waste time and money, as you say, but to make the most of every opportunity.
Andrew, thanks for your comments. Let me address a few of them in response, if I may. First, I was in agreement with Lorcan’s observation, not opposed to it or negative about it. I also felt he stated it far better than I could! Second, the problems with ILSs and OPACs in particular do indeed require ongoing discussion. And both you and Roy do a fine job of articulating the good and the bad. I was reacting, though, to the fact that I’ve heard all this before, sometimes in multiple places. If you examine or pay attention to different speaking engagements that some prominent speakers have (including Roy), oftentimes what they have to say is repetitive (or at least portions are repetitive). That’s just the way it is. One example of this that I can think of is how many dozens of presentations have been given on the OCLC Environmental Scan report. As someone who reads about many (most?) of these presentations remotely via the web, the valid and important points made in them begin to pall after reading about them over and over again.
As for the “squee” issue…well, like I stated already, it’s a personal opinion/taste issue. Your point about “squee” being “no less palatable than blogging professional navel-gazing with actually affecting change in libraries” is puzzling to me. I’m not sure what (or who) is the intended target of that statement. At the risk of sounding defensive or offended (when I don’t intend to be, at all)… If — and that’s a BIG if — you’re including me in the category of professional navel-gazers who don’t actually affect change in libraries, then you are betraying an acute lack of judgment and knowledge about me personally and about my entire professional outlook.
Finally, let me address the issue of “getting out there” and giving presentations, participating actively, etc. Andrew — and again, at the risk of coming across as somewhat “on my high horse” — I have been there and done that. I have been extremely active in the profession, including giving a large number of invited presentations here in the U.S. as well as in other countries. When I got married and began to have a family, I made a conscious decision that they were and are far more important than ANYTHING and ANYONE to do with my career as a librarian. I turned down big opportunities for service. I resigned from committees and editorial boards. I cut back attendance at conferences. This is my statement, such as it is, about the relative importance of career vs. family. My current position at Endeavor was taken for family reasons. Yet, I remain very passionate about libraries. This is a season in my life and once the critical early years of raising young children are past, I hope to “get out there” a lot more often. Honestly I greatly miss the active participation that I once had. This blog is one way in which I can continue to participate and “get out there” but in a different way.
Again, thank you for taking the time to respond to some of the issues raised in my post.
Angel, thank you for commenting. Especially thanks for the encouragement to “keep on blogging.” Simple words but they were encouraging to me!
Also, you’re right about the lack of family in discussions in the biblioblogosphere. I’ve observed that there are many examples of “successful” librarians who have chosen not to have a family. Their professional life is their life, period. Or so it seems, sometimes. I used to be that way. I used to devote 99% of my time and energy to professional things. I found that while fulfilling up to a point, professional success can never, ever match the importance of my role as husband and father.
On the other hand, I am not saying that one must have a family to be fulfilled. I do think, however, that sometimes when all one has is professional success, that life seems to be a bit empty. It seems that way to me, anyway. The incorporation of family into this blog is purposeful. It probably turns off many people. Oh well. It is just a reflection of who I am and what I consider important.
I have added your blog to my aggregator. I appreciate the thought and insight you expend on the topics you write about. So let me be of some encouragement back to you: Keep up the good work!
Steve,
I too know the difficulties of managing professional pursuits with family. I have a list of things I am involved in that take coordination with my wife so we can keep our two kids supported.
I was at CIL2006 and came away energized and excited. Sometimes I sacrifice my “technology” time for family and get behind on what is happening on the edge. While I had seen some of the content in other places, I just skipped those sessions or moved to another if I found it was repetitive.
There definitely are folks that I respect in our community, as well I should, but the degree of veneration is usually a subjective and personal thing. If I had known there might be groupies, I might have joined the profession sooner.
Anyway, I am still a relative newbie in the profession, so I can point to many past conferences for comparision. I was pleased and impressed at the amount of blogging that went on about CIL and included many links to notes and summaries in the report for my grant.
Let me congratulate you all on some fine discussion here. It is something that gets talked about a lot in the biblioblogosphere, but that I rarely, in fact, see. I hope to be commenting on just that topic soon on my blog.
As for you family men, I say more power to you! Those decisions are tough, but I think you make the right one (not that that should matter to either of you). As much as it would complicate matters for me now in school, and as I begin my career as a librarian, my family is just what I miss most in life. I did not have the proper respect for my family for years and ended up making my career 1st. There is not a day that I don’t regret that decision. I only hope to be given another chance some day, compications and all.
Pingback:
Thanks, Chadwick. Good to hear from you again! And also thanks to you, Mark, for your comment. I reread what I wrote and it seems a little (well, maybe more than a little) self-righteous in tone. Or “look at me, how good I am for doing such and such.” I didn’t mean it that way. Truth is, I also bowed out of lots of professional involvement because I was not doing my job with it. E.g. not turning in assigned writing on time or not at all, failing to meet deadlines, etc. etc. Other people with families or multiple obligations may be able to juggle everything well, but I’m not good at that.
And speaking of parenting, well, the level of guilt I feel over the job I’ve done or am doing is so high, I’m not sure I can even articulate it! It has been, and continues to be, a very humbling experience.
Pingback:
What I would like to know is how do so many bloggers have time to write their blogs, do their daily jobs, take care of their families, and comment on other people’s blogs? When I read the comments on blogs, they are mostly being written by other bloggers. How do you guys do it – write your own blogs – read all the other blogs – comment on the other blogs – and still have time to do your real jobs and take care of your families? It’s beyond me. Share the knowledge.
Fangirl, I honestly don’t have an answer for your question, which is a valid one. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a poster child for juggling everything successfully. The opposite is true. Something’s gotta give, somewhere. That’s my experience, anyway. Participating professionally, whether it is via blogs and commenting on blogs, or participating in conferences, or more formal (article-level) writing, takes significant time and energy. It comes at the expense of other things. I guess what it boils down to is what are your priorities. If you think something like blogging and commenting on blogs (participating in “the discussion”) are important, you make the time for them and spend less time on other things that are less important to you.
Pingback: