PLA Highlights 21st Century Librarians
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SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 3/31/2008 2:00:00 PM
Conference-goers spent five days in Minneapolis learning about all the initiatives taking place to enhance library services and ensure that users are kept up to speed with today’s fast-paced technology.
The common theme at the 12th National Public Library Association Conference, from March 25 to 29, was how libraries have embraced 21st century skills as their patrons’ research and recreational needs have changed.
Libraries old and new have become state-of-the art facilities that are helping kids and teens become lifelong library users by offering interactive media, getting them involved in designing their own spaces and programs, and by partnering with other agencies to provide homework help and employment opportunities.
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| Minneapolis Central Library Teen Tech Squad members Fadli, Tony, and Lauren demonstrated their multimedia projects to attendees at this year's PLA. |
Nearly 10,000 library staffers, supporters, exhibitors, authors, and guests descended on the Minneapolis Convention Center to attend workshops, programs, and events that focused on technology and gaming, service to youth and "new American" adults, and library design—often drawing standing room-only crowds.
"As library use continues to rise, so does a public library's need to stay on the forefront of new technologies," said PLA President Jan Sanders.
Who’s stressed? Judging by the jam-packed crowd that attended “Everyone Is Getting Crabbier,” a session presented by Sandra Nelson, the answer appears to be loads of librarians. Nelson, a former librarian who now runs Nelson Consulting, in Nashville, TN, says many librarians are stressed out of their skulls. And since they’re so up tight, in many cases their productivity has plummeted, which—you guessed it—leads to even more stress. The culprit behind this brain drain? Today’s unparalleled rate of change.
Thanks to an armada of technological innovations, the demands of juggling work and family, an unstable economy, and plain old über-demanding bosses, many librarians are ready to scream “Uncle!” But take heart: Nelson offered conference-goers a number of salutary strategies for keeping hysteria at bay, including setting meaningful priorities, learning how to “no,” thoughtful planning, and managing one’s time more efficiently. Ultimately, coping with stress begins at home, says Nelson. “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself,” she says, quoting Leo Tolstoy.
The conference offered a series of preconferences including a well-attended luncheon hosted by author Meg Cabot, best known for "The Princess Diaries" series. More than 600 attendees listened to Cabot discuss the importance libraries held in her childhood, as well as the influence librarians had on her life.
Other preconference speakers included author and librarian action figure model Nancy Pearl, who led a lively discussion on some of the best upcoming books, alongside HarperCollins’ Virginia Stanley, Macmillan’s Talia Ross, Hachette’s Nora Rawlinson, Milkweed’s Emily Cook, and Random House’s Marcia Purcell.
The conference opened with John Wood, founder and CEO of Room to Read, a nonprofit that helps kids in the developing world through education. This year, Room to Read will open 1,600 local libraries, the same number of new Starbuck's that will open. "If the world needs a new latte," Wood said, "it damn well needs a new library."
The conference also hosted the Authors Readers Theatre, which included 2003 Newbery award winner Avi, Pam Munoz Ryan, 2008 Caldecott award winner Brian Selznick, and Sarah Weeks, who stood on stage and read from prepared scripts.
Award-winning author Pat Mora and illustrator Raúl Colón, discussed the inspirations behind their work and the importance of librarians.
New to the conference this year was PLA’s first virtual conference for those unable to attend. Nearly 200 online subscribers participated in such activities as live, interactive Webcasts and workshops; online poster sessions; access to handouts and other presentation materials; and both general and subject-focused discussion boards.
