#NJLA17 Programming Spotlight: Emerging Technologies

Our profession has changed exponentially each year as new trends and technologies are introduced. NJLA's Emerging Technologies Committee does a fabulous job each year at conference presenting programs that keep us hep, spiffy, radical, or whatever the kids are saying these days. See what they're offering us this year with Conference Committee's Doug Baldwin as our guide!

Technology is just one of those things that permeates throughout the work we do in libraries, whether it is programming, training, collection development, reference,  and pretty much everywhere in between!  Now more than ever it is vital in our profession that we make every effort to remain abreast of new tools, ideas, perspectives, and challenges posed by the use and implementation of technology in all areas.

Fortunately, the NJLA Emerging Technologies (ET) section has worked especially hard this year, along with many other co-sponsoring sections,  to provide a slate of sessions for this years conference that cover a broad range of these topics no matter where you focus or interested may be.

I contacted this year’s ET section president, TJ Lamanna of the Cherry Hill Public Library, to get his inside scoop on which session should not be missed! Here are his selected highlights :

“The Importance of HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt” on Monday (4/24).

This preconference will cover the necessity of HTTPS for libraries and their vendors. It's focus will be an explanation of what HTTPS is, why it's important,and what libraries and vendors can do to implement it. Let's Encrypt is a free, automated, and open certificate authority run for the public’s benefit. More information can be found here: https://letsencrypt.org/about/

“Librarians: Protecting Yourself Online” (Wednesday, 4/26, 9:00-9:50am)

Join a fantastic panel to discuss practical ways you can protect yourself and your library online. You've probably heard about a lot of products and programs designed to help you, but some of them might be a little tricky to use. We're here to help. It's becoming more and more vital librarians understand what they can and should do to protect themselves, their patrons, and their libraries online. Don't fall behind, it's easier than you think.

“Maker Outreach : Taking Tech to Urban Schools” (Wednesday 4/26, 9:00-9:50am)

This panel will discuss taking our tech to urban schools. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn some easy and practical methods of improving your libraries community outreach and getting more young people interested your libraries maker equipment.

Also, don’t forget to check out the annual “The Year’s Best Video Games of 2016 (Wednesday 4/26, 2:30-3:20pm)” which will explore not only the newest gaming systems and the gaming landscape as it stands today,  but review the best released games across the most popular platforms for 2016.

And this is just the beginning! There are many other programs ET has the privilege of co-sponsoring with our other hardworking sections across NJLA. But we won’t steal their thunder and let them tell you all about those as well! Stay tuned and hope to see you at conference!

Doug Baldwin and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee

Stages of Conference Planning: Bang for Your Buck

So we’ve shared some details of who, what, when and where of Conference Planning, and now -- less than three months out from the main event! -- the Conference Committee is focused on all of the nitty-gritty details that make up the HOW of conferencing. We already discussed the insane amount of time and effort that goes into selecting and scheduling program sessions, keynotes, luncheons, and other events. But how do we determine and coordinate payment for everything and make sure it all gets done (seemingly) without a hitch?!

With registration opening THIS WEEK, we want to make sure you know where your money is going.

First and foremost, your Conference registration directly supports your professional association. As a nonprofit organization, NJLA relies almost solely on membership dues and conference registration fees for its financial stability. These fees, along with limited funds from individual donations (including the Annual Appeal), are used to create NJLA’s budget, which supports expensive advocacy and legislative costs, professional development opportunities, rent for our NJLA Office and salaries of staff workers (all 2.5 of them), among other things.

Your Conference registration pays for Conference. And lunch. I know that sounds simple and obvious and ridiculous, but it’s really, truly true. NJLA has to put a lot of money out upfront to pay to secure a venue for the NJLA Conference each year. Venues that can provide us the type and amount of space we need for upwards of 1,000 attendees are not, as you can probably imagine, cheap. There is also a $40,000 food and beverage minimum that we need to meet at Harrah’s this year (same minimum required at alternative venues as well). The $35 luncheon option is one that literally pays for lunch; NJLA makes no profit on that cost because it’s the lowest price we are able to negotiate to pass on to you. Coffee breaks, snacks, ice cream, receptions, and Pool Parties are all essentially benefits included in your Conference registration fee. Without paid memberships and paid registration fees, we could not afford to present you with a statewide event at all. So thank YOU.

Exhibits also pay for Conference. This is a big one, because -- again -- it’s true. Booth fees and sponsorship donations help significantly to take care of the big Conference costs. We talk a lot about securing vendors for Conference for this reason, as well as because they add an incredible amount of value to your professional experience. You’ll find that we’ll talk more and more over the next few months about all of the reasons you want to make sure you build a couple of visits through the Exhibit Hall into your schedule throughout the Conference. From networking to discounts to raffle prizes to one-on-one informational conversations, to miss the exhibits means missing a huge chunk of the benefit of attending Conference. The bottom line is that the mutual benefit of keeping our vendors and sponsors happy means ensuring higher quality Conference experiences each year.

Speakers add necessary value and cost. Besides the cost to rent venue space, NJLA spends the bulk of its Conference money on speakers: honorariums for proposed speakers (particularly keynotes), various travel costs (from basic mileage to pretty expensive airfare), meals, and hotel accommodations. With the number of programs proposed and accepted each year, these costs add up quickly, and it is the responsibility of the Conference Committee to see the bigger picture. We LOVE inviting speakers that we haven’t heard before, but sometimes we have to say “no” (which we hate) and sometimes we have to ask you to renegotiate costs (which we know you hate).

You may have heard that the Conference Committee does not have a budget, and that’s true. Financially-speaking, our primary goal is to put out less money than we take in every year, including the cost of the venue space. Because we have to spend money before we make money, and because we never can guarantee exactly how much money we’ll make (through exhibitor or attendee registrations), we have to be particularly cautious with our spending. We walk a fine line between the desire to put forth the best possible Conference experience ever -- with out-of-state speakers, hot topic programming, exciting and different social events and receptions, and other amenities -- and to present an event that is cost-effective to support the ultimate health and well-being of our association.

Starting Wednesday, February 1, 2017, all library workers and supporters of all types of libraries, including faculty and administration, Board of Trustees and Friends Group members, are officially invited to go “Beyond the Box” at the 2017 NJLA Annual Conference! We hope you like what we’ve put together. 

Why Should YOU Be At Conference?: Academic Librarian Edition

While NJLA has heavy membership from the public library side, and a new initiative focused on school library media specialists, that does not mean we have forgotten about college and university librarians! There is plenty for academic librarians to gain from attending conference, and we asked a few active NJ academic librarians their reasons for attending.

College and University Section President Heather Dalal from Rider University and Past President Elizabeth Leonard from Seton Hall University both identified networking as one of the main reasons for attending the 

NJLA Conference. Noting that repeatedly seeing your colleagues during the conference, in the hotel elevator, restaurants and lounge areas strengthens bonds between colleagues much more than the short conversations at a one-day conference.

It’s also no surprise that both Heather and Elizabeth also highlighted the CUS luncheon as a reason for academic librarians to attend since the CUS President does get to choose the luncheon speaker! Heather, and many others, are excited that Emily Drabinski will be the CUS luncheon speaker this year and we are thrilled that Emily will be participating in a preconference session and also presenting a third session during the conference.

Why Should YOU Be At Conference?: School Library Media Specialist Edition

Why should YOU be at Conference, School Librarians?

...Because the New Jersey Library Association LOVES YOU!

Really. We do! Have you seen the Unlock Student Potential campaign? NJLA is committed to advocating for highly effective school library programs, and in the wake of School Library Media Specialist positions being eliminated in our state, have formed a coalition to ensure that New Jersey students have the opportunity to reach their potential through effective school libraries. Attending the conference will be an important opportunity to make your voice heard!

Tech Tools & Research Methods

How do you feel about Tech Tools and new research methods? Because the NJLA conference has them. In 2016, one School Librarian was particularly excited to learn, from a Rutgers student, about how her students can use research videos in addition to research papers for science classes. Whether you’re looking to step up your students’ research game or grow your school’s makerspace, new ideas abound at conference.

Fun & Fandom

Oh the Authors! The Keynotes! Your kidlit and YA fandom dreams come true at conference: in the recent past we’ve hosted authors and illustrators like Peter Brown, Tedd Arnold, Rita Williams Garcia, Wendy Mass, and Jersey Girl Librarian-Turned-Author Sandy Hall! No, we weren’t crying during Sandy’s speech at the 2015 Garden State Book Awards Luncheon… you were!

And don’t forget about the fabulous NJLA Store. If you were wondering if you *need* those library themed socks...the answer is YES.

We can’t wait to see you!

Cassie Runkel and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee