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Vol. 21 No. 5 — May 2004

Information Architecture

If you're a Francophile or have a major interest in Web design and usability, consider attending Information Architecture (featuring Peter Morville) June 8—9 in Paris. This event is an intensive 2-day seminar on creating and managing usable, shared, and structured information environments or Web sites. Information Architecture is held in conjunction with i-expo, a French event that's geared to information professionals and librarians. It features a large exhibit hall filled with European vendors and products.

Internet Librarian International

If you miss Information Architecture, you can still get your international fix by attending the 6th Internet Librarian International, which will be held Oct. 11—12 in London. Last year, this conference was held in Birmingham, U.K., and attracted several hundred international info pros and librarians. This year, we're anticipating packed conference rooms.

Although planning is just getting underway, we've already booked the Iraq National Library's newly appointed director general to deliver the opening keynote on international reconstruction efforts in his country. Danny Sullivan from SearchEngineWatch.com will be the second keynote speaker. Keeping with the theme "Access, Architecture & Action: Strategies for the New Digital World," we have plans for a special forum on open access, plus tracks on Web search skills, enterprise content management, digital libraries and resources, and electronic content issues. The call-for-speakers deadline has passed, but the form is still on the Web if you have a suggestion
(http://www.internet-librarian.com).

From Search to Research

"Oppo research" (i.e., investigating the opposition) is front and center during this presidential election year. WebSearch University (WSU), which will be held Sept. 27—28 in Washington, D.C., doesn't offer special courses for political operatives, but you can bet that expert search skills like those taught at WSU are in high demand by election campaign strategists. WebSearch University's curriculum-based agenda allows attendees to update their search know-how and learn from world-class experts.

Along with the format, the faculty sets WebSearch University apart and makes it a unique event. You may hear some of these speakers at other conferences, but at WebSearch University they'll be together and in top form. Tara Calishain and Genie Tyburski are the newest additions to the faculty roster. They join Mary Ellen Bates, Gary Price, Greg Notess, Ran Hock, Chris Sherman, and Marydee Ojala.

KMWorld & Intranets 2004

Hot topics such as enterprise content management and integration, search, collaboration, and e-learning will be on the front burner for KMWorld & Intranets 2004, scheduled for Oct. 26—28 in Santa Clara, Calif. As KM goes mainstream, many organizations are still trying to get a handle on how to harness disparate information sources and human intellectual capital to effectively streamline business processes and increase productivity. According to program chair Jane Dysart and KMWorld editor Hugh McKellar, the conference "goes practical" this year as sessions concentrate on hands-on advice and real-world experience and speakers discuss solutions that businesspeople can use immediately in their organizations.

Look for a repeat of popular features like last year's special Content Management track and Monday evening Web Slam, which showcased live, working intranets. In addition, there will be new features, including a special track with analysts from Gartner Group.

Info Pros in Monterey

Internet Librarian returns to hands-down favorite conference location Monterey, Calif., Nov. 15—17. Attendees can enjoy seafood eating, sea-lion watching, and strolling on Fisherman's Wharf between conference sessions. This year's theme is "Starring Info Pros in Content, Context & Community."

Program chair Jane Dysart and her advisory committee are looking for information industry stars (that could be you) who are organizing and managing digital content in creative ways; setting the context for excellence in their organizations' information utilization; building strong, collaborative communities using new technologies; or setting innovative goals in organizing and managing information resources.

At Internet Librarian 2003, blogs were hot and widely discussed by speakers and attendees. By the time we meet in Monterey this November, the presidential election will be over and something else (social networking, perhaps?) will have grabbed our fancy.

Those Who Can, Teach

Information professionals sometimes take the role of teachers as they lead others through information thickets, dropping bread crumbs along the way and establishing road maps for others to follow. School media-center specialists and technology coordinators are a special breed, as they often teach the teachers as well as their students.

Internet@Schools West, which runs Nov. 15—16 in conjunction with Internet Librarian, is especially focused on technology for K-12 media and technology specialists. David Hoffman, editor of Multimedia & Internet@Schools magazine, is developing a practical program that offers attendees lots of ideas they can put to use in their schools as well as some inspiration and encouragement. Maybe you can pass along a note about this conference to the media specialist at your child's school?

Share Your Experiences

We're rarely willing to showcase a project gone bad, but imagine how much your conference colleagues could learn from your mistakes. Better still, think about what you've been doing in the past year and consider sharing what you've learned: what did and didn't work, how you might do it better, or your plans for future development. If you have a special area of expertise, why not offer to share your insights at an upcoming conference?

Since we're in the fall program-planning process right now, the deadlines for proposals are past. Take a look at the conference Web sites, though, since the proposal forms may still be posted. Or send an e-mail to me or the conference chair. Working librarians are the foundation of our conference programs, and we're constantly looking for bright new stars in the info pro galaxy.