VALA2010: great conference.
Stuff I am pondering:
We in libraries need to learn from other organisations. What can we learn about the organisation of our service points from Apple stores, say? How does the Louvre make its amazing collections available to its visitors?
Our library websites need major overhauls - and we need to think about them from the perspective of the user. Do we understand how people are using the web? Do librarians really know best when it comes to the presentation of information on the web? (Users don’t have to be taught how to use Amazon.com.)
Stop trying to recreate the card catalogue online, already! For me this point also relates to the fact that we need to be out there playing and working in all the new online environments and communities. There is so much we could be learning, and adapting to our libraries.
We need to anticipate and influence change. Grasp the opportunities, dont resist!
On a related note, are libraries are organisations moving fast enough? Is the committee really always the best way to get things done?
What I enjoyed:
The Twitter chatter throughout the conference. Hooray for the hashtag!
Meeting up with lots of people I had only interacted with online prior to this.
Delivering a paper with Suelibrarian. (Just realised this was my sixth paper!)
Being connected via iPhone. This made the entire conference a lot more interactive for me.
Making new friends.
