Rainie discusses the Project's latest research about how people use the internet, smart phones, and tablet computers to get, create, and share information. The new media environment is a Petri Dish for community formation as every book, every blog, and every Facebook feed can foster group engagement. Join our popular speaker as he explores how libraries can serve those who are creating new kinds of communities and enriching traditional groups.

Our knowledgeable panel of experienced practitioners points out the key issues and challenges for all types of libraries as book formats and technologies are changing. Get the lay of the landscape in this interactive and insightful session.

Hear from our panel of publishers about their ebook strategies and plans for the future.

Hear a publisher, librarian and ebook aggregator look at the issues and challenges around ebook preservation. They share research, explain the concepts, and their perspectives about the issues, responsibilities and open-questions they have.

How libraries can acquire ebooks within their existing workflows has sometimes been a barrier to ebook adoption. In 2011, ebrary and YBP announced an integrated solution for selecting titles on the basis of patron demand. This panel addresses user-driven and other ebook models that integrate into the workflow and support loans.

There’s a print copy on the shelf, and an online link in the catalogue. Which do our users choose? Two medium-sized Canadian universities tested this with the Canadian Electronic Library, a collection of 8,000 backlisted Canadian ebooks held by most Canadian research libraries, and acquired through a national site licensing consortium. Using online access statistics and print circulation data, they compared use of the collection in both formats and examined trends. Hear their interesting results! SPL embarked on an experiment to lend more than 100 preloaded e-readers to the public, thanks to a grant from the state library, along with Friends of the Library funding. Partnering with Barnes & Noble for devices, content and training, a win-win collaborative community project, speakers share their learnings about implementing e-reader circulation including staff and user training, ebook selection, circulation procedures, project assessment, and more.

Join our user experience (UX) expert and hear about UX tools that you can use in your environment to gather information on user perceptions of your websites, to understand how easy they feel your sites are to use, and to see how these perceptions change over time. Our speaker shares tips and techniques for user experience design and more.

The modern library web environment consists of multiple content sources and applications that perform essential functions that often overlap and could potentially create a fractured user experience. For example, content in a library’s Drupal website may be replicated in LibGuides or WordPress blogs. Search functionality in a discovery platform may be replicated in a federated search tool or the ILS OPAC. This presentation provides tips, tackles technical and political challenges to building a single web experience for users, discusses solutions and use of APIs (application programming interfaces), provides concrete examples, and more.

This panel of experienced practitioners focuses on time saving tools. The first presentation discusses how Google Apps helps resource-thin libraries provide key services such as email, calendaring and shared documentation for workflow without the cost of servers and IT staff as well as an innovative and helpful tool for librarians from larger institutions who need to find quick ways to create wikis and shared documentation, forms and shared spreadsheets, informal surveys, and more. Hill provides tips and techniques for effective user interface design.

This session showcases one of the busiest libraries in the nation. While 10-million-plus people walk through KCLS’s doors each year to circulate 22 million items, its catalog and web hits combined total over 115 million visits. Driven by usability testing, KCLS developed a new graphic user interface for the recently implemented Evergreen OPAC. Staff are working cooperatively with other libraries on open source development of its Mobile and Kid’s Catalog. Additionally, KCLS has added Boopsie to expand mobile offerings. Its Booktalk blog has over 60 contributing librarians using a decentralized model for maximum staff participation. YouTube holds over 500 instruction and informational videos, including Tell Me a Story featuring songs and rhymes by KCLS children’s librarians. KCLS updates its Facebook page almost daily and “tweets” 20-30 times a week. In an effort to increase ebook circulation, it negotiated distribution of KCLS promotional materials at NOOK kiosks with the seven Barnes & Noble stores in its district. Focusing on internal communications, KCLS launched a new intranet using SharePoint under the themes Search, Share, and Collaborate. KCLS speakers share tips and tricks you can take home and implement in your environment!

In this session we'll look at a some emerging library service models and some unusual types of library facilities.  As libraries make a shift to collecting and distributing more digital content, library buildings need to change to reflect a new program.  Is your library ready to embrace this kind of change?

This presentation covers how libraries can use the out-of-the-box features of Microsoft’s SharePoint to create Web 2.0 tools for conversation and collaboration. Using actual examples from the Sandia Technical Library’s internal and customerfacing SharePoint websites, the talk gives a brief demonstration of how librarians can utilize SharePoint to offer library wikis, blogs, social tagging and cataloging, user surveys, newsfeeds, discussion boards, ratings and recommendations, video sharing, and more, all without the need for HTML or other coding skills.

Based on its CMS review and the successful implementation of Drupal for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (presented at IL2007), the NSO decided to migrate all its other websites into Drupal as well. This session tracks that migration project, starting with new hardware identification; the realization that outside help was needed and partnering with the Cherry Hill Company; seeing where implementation was different (such as multisite versus single site) and where it was the same; noting configuration and module information; and sharing lessons learned from the project.

Learn how librarians are using their expertise to develop connections within their organizations that deliver value by meeting the needs of internal and external customers. Discover how you can implement KM initiatives in your organization using existing tools and creative problem solving. Internal knowledge sharing, information silos and developing products that integrate internal and external data which vendors can’t duplicate create added value for attorneys, managers, directors, and other professionals. The first talk provides tips on how to start small, market your successes, and build on those successes for larger-scale initiatives, discusses how to define KM in a way that fits your organizational culture and mission, which, in turn, sets realistic expectations of what KM  can and  cannot achieve. The Boeing team describes their robust KM strategy, which included modifying an existing ILS to be used as an institutional repository for internal Boeing documentation, partnering with internal groups to build communities around pertinent content, and integrating with Boeing Enterprise Search and Boeing Enterprise KM. Learn to think outside the KM box to create a program that brings value to your organization and hear how two organizations faced challenges, had success, and share lessons learned.

Many digital publications and databases traditionally licensed by libraries are offering mobile versions of their products, sometimes free and sometimes for an additional price. How do we manage expectations of our clients and provide access to a growing number of mobile products? How do we add iPhone apps to the library catalogs? Hear how The World Bank library is addressing these questions to satisfy its clients who are highly mobile and demand the latest apps. Citation analysis—once the domain of academic circles—is gaining a foothold in private research organizations, both as an evaluative metric and  corporate promotional tool. Hear how one library is developing a suite of features to bring citation analysis into regular use by its customers, how it is implementing valueadded features of citation alerting for patrons, RSS feeds of organization-affiliated journal article publishing, citation impact profiles of researchers, and more.

Social media is a noisy and crowded place filled with numerous companies blasting their message. How will you make sure your user community hears your voice? Based on successful strategies from the advertising world, the first presentation talks about how storytelling through social media has proven to engage users to contribute, share, and stay involved with the social media brand. It reflects a marketer perspective to showcase innovative social media initiatives that have gone viral and had received the attention of millions of people. What take-aways info pros can utilize from these campaigns to amplify a social media presence and create conversations in their communities are discussed. The second presentation describes building a social network to replace Yahoo! Groups from concept and initial UX research to design and implementation, highlighting likes/dislikes, assessment results, and opportunities for similar development by other libraries.

This session shares Douglas County Libraries’ experience with several successful collaborations. Together with a major database vendor, it collaborated with the local school system to meet the electronic resource needs of the 55,000 students, increase their database use, and save taxpayers $100,000 in the process. At the same time, the library worked with chambers of commerce and local economic development councils to provide startup and marketing information to small-to mid-size companies. It has paired with the local election office to provide assistance with election questions. And an innovative program now allows library patrons to check out a pass to local art and wildlife museums. This session describes how its involvement in the community raises library awareness, fosters a sense of community, and adds value beyond the walls of the library. Get lots of tips and tricks to try in your environment.

From LibGuides to Facebook, Sakai to Skype, one university library has reinvented the way it reaches out to students — based on what the students want. Following a series of focus groups with undergraduates and a massive assessment of library services, the library has become wired within the campus community. More than just an improvement to its online presence, the goal included getting what its users want within its walls. The first talk covers how staff learned to ask the right questions, gather feedback, get institutional buy-in and adapt a concept of perpetual beta. Kurt discusses how librarians at NR were inspired by Apple Stores’ display and customer service model and collaborated to create the @One eReader Bar where users can explore various handheld devices and learn what is possible, including making use of library e-resources via eReaders. The librarians acquired devices; researched, tested, and tracked how each worked and shared their findings with each other; designed an eReader Bar LibGuide; trained additional staff; and created informational materials.

Hear about the implementation of a local installation of WordPress to provide small public libraries throughout the state with free websites, since more than 100 public libraries in Nebraska had no noticeable web presence. Sauers shares lessons learned with the technology and work involved, the reactions of the participating libraries, challenges, and future plans. Mahajan discusses a collaborative effort to create Information Connections, a website for parents of children with developmental disabilities and chronic diseases, with funding from the National Library of Medicine. She highlights how the hospital developed needs assessment tools, designed a navigational architecture, and developed the information portal to resources and websites with a special focus on autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, Down syndrome, and traumatic brain injury, among others. Having access to reliable, high-quality health information and local resources provides emotional support to families, especially during stressful times, and provides resources for healthcare providers, colleges and universities, schools, libraries, and hospitals at points of care or at home.

Today’s academic landscape is  constantly shaped by dramatically shrinking resources and an ever growing need to keep pace with the demands of users and changing technologies. Price and Harden discuss a strong partnership between public and electronic services departments that created many successful relationships throughout the campus, including both tangible and intangible returns to all parties, and allowed the library to showcase its sometimes overlooked but valuable services and resources. They illustrate how student internships harnessed a “low-cost” resource with virtually unlimited potential, a tremendous return on their investment — time. As the students grow in knowledge, confidence, and abilities, staff interactions and conversations provide new and innovative ideas that could never have been implemented without them. From video production, to website development, to graphic design, our students do it all! Find out how the library empowers, nurtures, and challenges student interns while harnessing their unlimited potential to help show value and meet the growing demands of users. Sarnowski outlines successful “Scan Day” events held at libraries in the Midwest, where local historic photos, collectible souvenir postcards, and other artifacts were digitally captured during library-sponsored community events. He discusses equipment, training materials, and recommendations for staffing and procedures, as well as examples of the scans and the metadata that were produced, as well as a tour of the resulting websites. Generating local digital collections with standardized metadata while hosting a community event can be a great way to engage the public and add value to local and regional archives and library online catalogs and websites.

Speakers share how they repositioned their services with various devices and strategies.  Donahue looks at the newest tablet designs, their operating systems and browsers, and explores the fresh possibilities they offer for discovery and access of library content. In addition to being one of the first libraries to develop a social media policy, Multnomah County Library was named one of the top library Facebook pages in 2010, and is one of the top five most fanned public libraries in the U.S. Speakers share their secrets of success, challenges, suggestions for developing strategies, campaigns and policy to make your online presence the best it can be! Cho discusses repositioning the academic library through community outreach, specifically the Chinese Canadian Stories: Uncommon Histories from a Common Past project, to expand the engagement between academic research and the communities which the university serves. Through the collaboration of community organizations across Canada and the the University of British Columbia Library, this one-of-a kind project gathers the ignored histories of one of the "founding peoples" of Canada and uses the latest in new media technologies to present a new understanding of our common history

As school librarians and educators, you teach your students tricks and tips for using online tools effectively for research. But today’s students are digitally connected in all aspects of their lives, and there is reason to be concerned about the persuasive distraction of technology. As educators, you are in a unique position to encourage awareness of just how your students are using all that ubiquitous technology. In this session, find out from Shaw how a 1:1 laptop school—with guidance from its librarian!—has integrated mindfulness education into its culture.

Students are savvy about using the internet, but they often don’t understand how their internet usage today impacts their lives tomorrow. In this session, learn from school librarian Nockowitz how to help your students create and maintain a positive digital footprint. She discusses how social networking, content creation, and social media are shaping students’ online personae and offers specific steps teachers and librarians can take to guide students in the right direction.

Emerging technologies are constantly shifting the ways school libraries function. Whether making changes in the way content is viewed or allowing the curriculum to be taught in entirely new ways, school libraries must stay current. In this hour-long session, Renazile and Johnson, librarians at the School at Columbia University, talk about the practical ways they are using iPads and e-readers in their school library starting in kindergarten. Here are some of the discussion topics: How can iPads and iPods be tools for recommending books? What are some of the management issues of using iPads in the library? How can Twitter increase comprehension and conversation in book clubs? Next, technology director Ramig weighs in with more on iPads in her Seven Hills School program, where she finds them to be “super-portable, instant-on, $500 devices that are perfect for school libraries.”

As libraries emerge into technologically based spaces, the connection between the technology department and the library/media center becomes vital. How do we collaborate and share best practices in both fields in order to make our students thoughtful and creative users of information? Thomas, lower school technology coordinator, and Ingham, lower school librarian, at Oregon Episcopal School, share stories and ideas about how they make their partnership work in the face of daily schedules, student and teacher demands, and the challenge of balancing interests and different personal/professional skill sets.

The new millennium has been filled with changes, many of which are downright scary. Consider the current threat level set by Homeland Security, the latest natural disaster news trumpeted by the media … Meanwhile the economy lurches along. For educators at all levels, things can look bleak. Forget new equipment, enrichment experiences for students, travel to conferences. Many of us are just praying to hold on to our jobs. In this closing session of the Internet@Schools track, Professor and sage Bell speaks to this climate of unease, specifically offering ways to address the following “techno-fears”: 1. Fear of allowing our youngsters access to internet information by imposing draconian filters. 2. Fear of communication as well as information—fear that causes many to recoil from any sort of online “social networking.” 3. Fear of letting our youngsters out of our virtual supervision for even a minute or two. 4. Fear of allowing students and kids have and use the devices that they all use so expertly. Mary Ann sends you off feeling fortified, if not fearless!

There are tools, tools, tools, but this event features learn, learn, learn while having fun! Our panel has ideas, but be sure to bring yours too! If we want to improve collaborative work, productivity, data representation, and research, what are the best Web 2.0 tools to use?

The Game Plan!
Three periods of play jam-packed with ideas, tips and tricks — and even penalties and power plays! Team 1 (Blue Jerseys) takes on Team 2 (Red Jerseys) with captains and players while referees keep the pace going, and there is additional color commentary and expert analysis between periods. The game will be fast-paced, so be ready to tweet your cheers.

Host: Anita Brooks Kirkland, Consultant, Information Technology Services, K-12 Libraries, Waterloo Region District School Board
Expert Analyst: Darlene Fichter, University of Saskatchewan  [there will be another one if you want to leave room]
Color Commentator: Stephen Abram, Gale Cengage Learning
Red Team Captain: Amy Buckland, McGill University
Blue Team Captain: Blake Carver, LISHost.org
There will be players for both the teams which we are working on.
Technical Directors: Jane Dysart, JD Thomas & Kathy Hogan Bayer