One of the things I struggled with when writing this post about the SLA conference is where to begin? It sounds like an easy question, and an easy answer (begin at the very beginning) but post-SLA I am filled with quite a collection of thoughts and ideas, and once you get through the introduction (how I came to be at SLA), that’s where it gets difficult. But let’s see what happens.
As I have so much I want to cover, this post will be in two parts. The first will focus on the conference as a whole, including the social aspects. The second will cover the conference as a learning experience, and my takeaways.
And so to the very beginning. I wanted to describe how by chance one February morning I was sat next to Kate Arnold (who is running for SLA president, don’t forget to vote!) at a Sue Hill breakfast and this, in a way, led to my attendance at SLA in Chicago this year. But, as I started to write, it became far too long-winded and convoluted I will leave it at that. But just to add, my thanks are Kate, and to Suzanne Wheatley, for pushing me to apply for the SLA European Conference Award, and to Victoria North who wrote my supporting statement, that saw me visit the States for the fifth time and enter what can only be described as the SLA Bubble.
The experience
Although this was not my first visit to America, it was my first taste of an American conference. I had heard from others in the profession that they are something to experience (an Experience which has so brilliantly been described by Simon Barron), different to anything I might have experienced in UK conferences. And you know? They were right! The size of the conference was what was evident at first. Not just the building itself (you can see McCormick Place from the top of the Willis Tower (highlighted in the picture below) and it is huge (the largest in North America, I understand)) but also the number of attendees, the number of vendors in the exhibition room, and the size of the conference badges with accompanying ribbons.
SLA seemed to take over the buildings it was part of – professional signs dotted the ground floor of the Chicago Hilton, a venue where many evening or social events took place, pointing out meeting rooms, shuttle bus departures and various other pieces of information. SLA members were everywhere! At the end of the first night I was struggling to understand the bus timetable/route map to take me back to my hotel and the person who helped out was an SLA member (the secretary of the Military libraries division, Pam Gross, as it happened!). Like I said, everywhere!
The Twitter Experience
The use of social media was something else which struck me about the Conference. It’s probably only afterwards I’ve really been able to appreciate how well the hashtag was used on Twitter – in the build up, during and still going afterwards! The re-tweeting by @SLAChicago of all hashtagged tweets allowed me to connect with other attendees, see what was going on in other sessions I couldn’t attend, and get some advice pre-conference about where to go, what to see in Chicago.
I would like to see how this kind of interaction could be used in UK library conferences, although I’m aware that perhaps it only works well at SLA because of its sheer size. I certainly felt more engaged through the use of Twitter and still have the hashtag saved in a stream on Hootsuite as new tweets keep popping up and connecting me back to the Conference.
The SLA Conference Bubble which I mentioned before might only be something first- or second-timers experience. From the moment I first met other SLA-ers on the Saturday evening, to the moment I left McCormick place to head uptown to the hostel I was staying in for the rest of my stay, I lived and breathed SLA. My hotel room just became a dumping ground for goodies collected from vendors’ stalls and to change shoes before an evening event – I rarely ventured there during the day. It surprised me at how little time I spent there – not that I was expecting to spend lots of time in my hotel room at the conference, but I just didn’t realise how little time! I was keen to do as much as I could, conference-wise, so time didn’t really allow for a little rest break in the room, watching TV or such like. I wonder if those who have been to more SLA conferences don’t feel this pressure to Do Everything, as they may feel freer to have a break or nip out and see some of the host city in-between sessions or evening events.
The Unconference experience
I was aware of two “unconferences” going on within the SLA Conference. Not really sure what they were, I attended the one run by the Legal Division on the final full conference day. What it turned out to be was a space to have an open discussion about current topics and swap ideas. Rules were set down beforehand about what the session was intended for and the moderator and Legal Division Chair, Tracy Maleeff, outlined the topics for discussion. For the legal division, this included eBooks (experiences, interest from the lawyers, practical issues), title changes (what do we call ourselves? Does it matter?), and creating value (how to we prove to the decision makers our worth?). It was enlightening to hear how eBooks are starting to be used in law firms in the States, how their job titles can vary so much or can mean something different in different States (e.g. “law librarian” can mean a librarian with a law degree in Philadelphia), and tips from others on proving their value. I’d certainly like to attend more unconferences to see how they work and I was disappointed to miss the other one led by Lee Ann Benkert.
The social experience
A write-up of the SLA conference can’t happen without a mention of the numerous social events in the evenings. These came in the form of Open Houses hosted by divisions, the larger events of the International Reception and IT Dance Party, and the Sponsor appreciation reception by the Legal Division.
The International Reception was were I received my award from Darren Chapman, and I gave a very short speech, giving thanks to the sponsors of my award and how much I was enjoying Chicago. I had to keep it brief, so afterwards I wrote a few tweets about who else I wanted to thank…
The IT Dance party was an absolute blast. There was a Gangster theme, which I was completely unprepared for, despite the theme being advertised before I left for SLA. Luckily there were some props available for us to use… here is me with the ECCAs in our finery:
I must also mention the ECCAs who gave me the honour of letting me hang around with them throughout the conference and share their (cold) pizza. A great bunch and I had a lot of fun with them.
Glad to hear the SLA conference was such a useful and enjoyable experience. I enjoyed reading both parts of your report Anneli.