BCLA Conference 2010 experience!
Conferences are always fun! I got to attend the Friday of this year’s British Columbia Library Association Conference. I met all sorts of people from attendees, exhibitors, other volunteers and personnel. I got a chance to see new books at few different stands and talk to reps from a few of the publishers some of which deal mainly British Columbian libraries and are centred in the BC interior.
I volunteered at the reception desk for the afternoon answering mostly directional questions after attending a session on suggestion boxes as analysis tools for libraries. I was described in the brochure as Suggestion Boxes for Academic Libraries, but the women running the session translated it into a session for those from a wider variety of libraries. The overall suggestion was that no suggestions or complaints was not something to aim for in our libraries that we want to encourage this lane of communication whether our suggestion box is a physical item or virtual item. The examples of how suggestion boxes have been used in decision making processes at various libraries was incredibly cool! I am finding that analysis and communication are areas that are starting to perk my interest as I feel the best way to make sure that our libraries connect with our patrons is to include them in the life of said library so that when we need funds or volunteers or are looking at making changes these changes reflect the needs, and wants of our users!
I also enjoyed the readings given by Lorna Crozier, Patrick Lane, Don Gayton, and Dick Cannings. I realized when I came to the readings that I had purchased one of Don Gayton’s books enjoyed it. Lorna Crozier’s memoir gives an interesting view of prairie life which was lovely. I think that if I get a chance to attend the MeadowLark Festival at some point I would choose to go on a hike with either Don Gayton or Dick Cannings as my guide to the natural world.