Whether or not you are the one doing the purchasing for your library, and whether or not your library’s budget resembles the budget of a Hollywood Blockbuster or, well, a public library, there are so many things to gain from viewing the exhibits.
1. Learn something new! The exhibitors hall is a unique opportunity to meet a representative from a brand your library already works with and learn something new about an existing product.
2. Create opportunity for partnerships. The exhibits provide you with the opportunity to find new partnerships, or spark an idea for something new.
3. It's all about the networking, right?! Exhibits are a great way to meet people from the organizations that work with libraries and learn more about what they do.
4. Share the wealth! Even if any particular exhibit doesn't resonate with the precise responsibilities of your current job, take the knowledge and connections back to those at your library who DO deal directly with those topics. Plus, never underestimate the power of knowledge and connections that might be useful to you in your next job or position in the profession.
5. Giveaways and swag. :) There is always free stuff in the exhibit hall (and we're not just talking about coffee and ice cream), and there is always a chance to win something even better through the Conference Exhibit Hall Raffle.
Exhibits will be open Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All are invited to join NJLA President Terrie McColl at the Exhibits Grand Opening Ceremony on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
Check out the full listing of exhibitors here, and take advantage of this great opportunity at this year’s NJLA Conference!
Big thanks to the following sponsors for their generous support of NJLA:
- Platinum Sponsorship: ReferenceUSA and Rutgers University's School of Communication and Information
- Gold Sponsorship: Arcari + Iovino Architects, P.C.
- Silver Sponsorship: HMR Architects, EBSCO Information Services
- Bronze Sponsorship: CWA