Images from Conference 2010

Here’s a link to our Flickr pages where images snapped during conference have been uploaded.

LIANZA Flickr - Conference 2010

Well Dunedin has certainly turned up the heat for LIANZA and we are not just talking about the weather.  As we move into the next century of the Association the speakers are throwing out a lot of challenges including -  be involved (engagement, responsibility and advocacy), know what you are for rather than what you are against, by whom and for whom, are we asking the right questions? And from Christine Mackenzie on Sunday – get mobile, get social, get active, find partners. In keeping with the Conference theme we are constantly reminded that being at the edge is not a comfortable place, but it is a place of opportunity. The future beckons and it is in our hands.

What’s happening on Twitter during Conference?

Want to follow the action on Twitter as LIANZA 2010 unfolds?

We’re using the Cover It Live service to capture selected tweets from those in attendance in Dunedin using the official hashtag #lianza10

Coverage started 8am Monday 29th November and there’s a different daily feed to feast your eyes on.

• LIANZA Centennial Conference – Day 2
• LIANZA Centennial Conference – Day 3
• LIANZA Centennial Conference – Day 4

Thanks to @paulhayton for hosting the pages on his website.

No more sleeping

In 1910 the Dunedin Mayor welcomed 15 delegates from seven libraries to Dunedin. Today, 100 years later, that same welcome will be extended to over 600 people from all over the world. Though the libraries, the profession and Dunedin have all evolved since that time one thing has remained unchanged – that desire to serve, promote and better the interests of the New Zealand library and information world.

Welcome everyone to the LIANZA Centennial Conference – 100 years in the planning.

Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus

The Conference bag is making a comeback!! Well before the conference theme was discussed the newly formed Centennial Conference had already made two momentous  decisions -  no overalls, and there would be a conference bag. NZMS came on board as the sponsors and the rest, as they  say, is history. The 2010 Centennial Conference has a very classy, eye-catching satchel.

The only problem with having a conference satchel is that you need something to put into it. The twenty or so people who gathered at the University of Otago Science Library to “stuff” the satchels would like to thank everyone for their contributions – every single piece of it! Two van loads of goodies had been delivered to the Library earlier in the day. The satchels had arrived on  pallets earlier in the week. And last night everything came together.

Only 500 more to unpack

It's just like Christmas

One of these, and one of these, and one of these ....

All stuffed and ready to go

What does your sign say?

Two things came together this morning – the first was an article in the Chicago Tribune News about how libraries are reinventing themselves  to stay relevant in the digital age; and the second was a sign on a bus “I’m a bus but one day I’m going to be a 747″. Actually there was a third – the article mentions a t-shirt with the words “Shhh is a four letter word”. Seeing this reminded me of the only time I have said” Shhh” in a library – I had accidentally slammed the drawer on the reference desk. The patrons standing nearby laughed. I am still not sure whether it was because I was the least likely to say it or whether it was a recognition that libraries were no longer considered to be the quiet hallowed institutions of old, and noise in a library was generally accepted. Recalling this incident I also remembered what those patrons were doing – filling out slips of paper so that they could get their books issued. And quite close by was the card catalogue. This was the pre-computerisation age. Several years later this library moved – not just to a new building but also into the 21st century. Though it looked to many as a natural progression it relied on people having the vision to see what could be achieved, the energy to see it through and the skills to navigate the minefields.

The profession may only be 100 years old, but libraries have been around a lot longer. And they have evolved, they have changed and they have survived a lot of the recorded  “ages”.  How? By having people who are willing to step out and to move forward. Would the library user of 1910 recognise the library of 2010? Probably. So what is your vision for the library of 2110 and what are you doing today to make it a reality?

That bus that I followed this morning is still dreaming of being a 747, and the speed that it went down the hill it might just achieve it.

Now a word from our sponsors

A Conference relies very heavily on sponsorship and the LIANZA Centennial Conference is no exception. From  speakers and social activities to pens and chocolates; from satchels and badges to furniture and cyber lounges. Without the support of the sponsors the conference costs would be very prohibitive and probably beyond the pockets of most organisations.

As a centennial conference there are a couple of special events happening and so special mention must be made of the National Library for sponsoring the registrations and celebratory lunch for the retired LIANZA members and the LIANZA Otago/Southland Region for sponsoring the Centennial Celebrations and the launch of the LIANZA book on the Monday evening.

A full list of sponsors will appear in your handbooks. So support them and let’s say thanks to them all for making the Conference what it is.

Only 3 more sleeps ….