ATLA Conference

Not too long ago, Fiona mentioned in a blog post about all of the meetings that the library was hosting where librarians would be present. I have been lucky enough this week to attend the annual American Theological Library Association conference. Conference info is here, if you’re interested.

Basically, the association exists to be a source of networking and professional development for librarians. They have a conference each year (in a different location), and hundreds of librarians descend on the city lucky enough to host us. Last year, the conference was held in Philadelphia, next year the conference will be in St. Louis, but this year the conference is June 26, 27, 28 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Some of the topics have included Facebook and Second Life in theological libraries, open access to journals for students at the theological institutions, and on like that. It’s really a great opportunity to meet other people, get new ideas, and share what we’re doing at our own libraries. Many libraries are represented: the Library of Congress, Duke University, Harvard School of Divinity, and St. Charles Borromeo are just a few examples.

While this is work, it’s also fun too. I got to tour the Parliament building in Ottawa (which is just a short walk from the conference hotel).

Summertime and the livin' is easy.......

Things are a little quieter around the library right now. Most of the Seminarians are gone for the Summer but we do have several here working on their theses.
Please be respectful of those spaces carved out by these hard working guys.

Last week we hosted a meeting of Special Librarians who are affiliated with the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) and were please with such a fine turnout for the day-long program "The Plight of the Special Librarian: Working With Limited Resources". Stephen Sweeney, our Reference Librarian, is Pesident-Elect of this group.
This week we will sponsor a meeting for area Theological Librarians in anticipation of the annual ATLA meeting. At least 17 librarians will be joining us for lunch on Thursday and a lively discussion about issues facing Theological Libraries. And last, but not least, on Friday we host the Intellectual Freedom Committee for CAL an their monthly meeting.
Who knew so many librarians could meet at one place in a week?