The Association website is a starting place for information about
registration, accommodations, programs, meetings, etc. For the 2005
Midwinter Meeting, go to the ALA web site and see Conference Services: http://www.ala.org/ala/eventsandconferencesb/midwinter/2005/home.htm
Note that conference hotels vary by location and price. Most conference
local committees also provide information about rooms on nearby college
campuses for attendees who are on a tight budget.
If you arrive in Boston early enough, you might attend the Orientation
conducted by the New Members Roundtable. See http://www.ala.org/ala/nmrt/bostonmidwinter2004/04midwinterindex.htm.
(If your email service can handle it, sign up for the New Members Listserv
to get helpful leads and information between conferences.)
All of the various divisions of ALA hold meetings during midwinter
and several also sponsor programs. There may be half- or full-day workshops
that are chock full of information. Conference attendance should include
networking and learning new information. See the ACRL website for midwinter
activities relevant to colleges and universities: http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissues2004/december04/midwinter05.htm
Once you register for conference, expect to receive product announcements
or circulars from vendors, notices about drawings at the exhibits,
mini demos or vendor tutorials. You may get an invitation to a breakfast,
lunch, or other gathering with FREE food.
For example, see the OCLC @ ALA Midwinter 2005 page: http://www.oclc.org/education/alamw2005
If you don't plan to travel to Boston, you might want to consider
a trip to the ACRL National Conference in Minneapolis. The benefits
of attending are mentioned in the October 2004 issue of C&RL News, http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,url,uid&db=aph&an=14879329
"I Learned It At the Exhibits." Library Journal, v. 129,
no. 3 (February 15, 2004): 110
HTML: http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdfhtml/01872/P4A7Y/PF4.htm
A brief note about the value of viewing exhibits at conferences.
Websites of professional associations and organizations are important
whether or not you are going to a conference. Become familiar with
at least one association (ALA, SLA, AALL, MLA, etc.) early in your
career. Familiarize yourself with the opportunities for education and
continuous professional development. A good starting point is Catholic
University's list of professional organizations: http://libraries.cua.edu/lislcoll/lislorgs.html
The American Society for Information Science and Technology maintains
headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. Consider a student membership: http://www.asis.org/Join/about_asis.html
The Alexandria-based Special Libraries Association will hold its annual
conference in Toronto this coming June, and in Baltimore in June 2006.
While you may plan on an academic career, you may find that heads of
some ARL institutions are active in SLA. Plan to attend at least one
day in Baltimore, if you don't register for the entire conference. http://www.sla.org/content/Events/index.cfm
ALA and its divisions make it easy to volunteer to serve on a division
or section committee. For example, ACRL provides tips on how new members
can become involved. See http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/aboutacrl/resourcesforwork/tipsheets/tipsheet1how.htm
Volunteer forms are readily available on the websites of other divisions
also. See The Association for Library Collections and Technical Services
(ALCTS) http://www.ala.org/ala/alcts/alctsmanual/alctsforms/volunteerform.htm
Library and Information Technology Association (LITA)
http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/aboutlita/org/litamanual/litaforms/a2_apptreqst.html
Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)
http://www.ala.org/RusaTemplate.cfm?Section=RUSAVolunteers
To learn more about the benefits of professional memberships peruse
the following articles:
Frank, Donald G. "Activity
in Professional Associations: The Positive Difference in a Librarian's
Career." Library Trends, v. 46, no. 2 (Fall 1997): 307-318.
The author observes that participating in associations often jumpstarts
a librarian's research and publication. <http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,url,uid&db=aph&an=212050>
Glendenning, Barbara J. and Gordon, James C. "Professional
Associations: Promoting Leadership in a Career." Library
Trends, v. 46, no.2 (Fall 1997): 258-278. These authors suggest that
librarians join organizations that match their professional concerns,
meet their career needs, and maintain manageable membership fees.
The authors also discuss an interesting career paths model. They
quote Gregor who said "Service on boards, committees or task
forces, as well as participation in ground breaking invitational
conferences, can promote leadership potential, enhance influence
and strength." <http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,url,uid&db=aph&an=212047>
Kamm, Sue. "To
Join or Not to Join: How Librarians Make Membership Decisions About
Their Associations." Library Trends, v. 46, no. 2 (Fall
1997): 295 - 307. Sue Kamm found that some librarians join associations
when the employers pay dues and conference expenses; however, most
select the association that is most relevant to their current jobs
(or the jobs they hope to obtain.). Some of the survey results might
surprise you. <http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,url,uid&db=aph&an=212049>
ARW,12/04
