There is no better city than Boston in which to hold the first professional conference of the election year. This is especially true for the Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits of the American Library Association (ALA), to be held January 8–12, 2016.
It is the Boston Public Library (BPL) that gave libraries their first mission statement: to inform democratic self-government. “Free to All” is carved above the keystone over the central entrance to BPL in Copley Square, a message that has resonated throughout American library history.
It was in Boston that Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey (or Melvil Dui, as he spelled it) agreed to become the first editor of Library Journal. More recently, Keith Fiels left his post as the director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, a position now held by Dian Carty, to take over as executive director of ALA. Some say that working with that commission, deeply steeped in the complex and intense politics of the Bay State, taught Fiels the skills he needed to manage the bureaucracy and politics of our national organization.
The ALA Midwinter Meeting, once focused entirely on the governance of ALA, is now expanded to include educational and entertaining programs to update the skills and talents of librarians. In addition, the gathering provides vast exhibits, second in number only to those at ALA’s annual summer conferences, to keep librarians current with the latest and greatest technology, systems, publications, information services, furniture, and all that helps a modern library function. Experienced vendors say the Midwinter crowd is a bit more powerful than the larger summer one and thus more apt and able to commit to the purchase of these new devices and services.
Boston bravos
What’s new in town for 2016? Rising political star Sen. Cory Booker will be there with the next member of the Clinton family, Chelsea. Professor and activist Mary Frances Berry, fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins, and motivational speaker and author Lizzie Velasquez will speak at various events.
For the librarian, in addition to an incredible array of speakers, institutes, and educational programs, Midwinter offers great opportunities to be entertained and educated and allied with colleagues, all to the betterment of libraries and librarians.
This year, LJ’s staff have studied the conference program and here share a smattering of the meetings they plan to attend. Of course, late at night, we’ll be seeking you out in the warm corners of Boston for food, drink, and conversation around “the accursed questions” of librarianship. (For those seeking such hospitable corners near the convention center, look for eating establishments in Chinatown, the Seaport area, and South Boston, or see the online exclusive “Boston Eats,” courtesy of Fodor’s Travel.)
Sessions without times listed had not yet been scheduled at press time.
John N. Berry III
Editor-at-Large
Council/Executive Board/Membership Information Session
Sat., Jan. 9, 3–4:30 p.m.
Find out what’s been going on at ALA since last summer and hear reports from the president, president-elect, executive director, treasurer, and endowment trustees.
Executive Board Meeting
Fri., Jan. 8, 8:30 a.m.–noon
Mon., Jan. 11, 2–4 :30 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 12, 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Mixed in with the boring routine business is occasional interesting debate on issues before ALA. To see how decisions are made, one of these board meetings is probably enough.
ALA Council Meetings
Sun., Jan. 10, 8:30–11 a.m.
Mon., Jan. 11, 10 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 12, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
I go to these meetings of ALA’s legislature but don’t necessarily recommend them, unless you are really an ALA governance freak.
ALA President and Treasurer Candidates’ Forum
Sat., Jan. 9, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
I always attend this. One official (ALA nominating committee) candidate faces two petition candidates. The election runs March 15–April 22. Each candidate presents a platform, followed by Q&A with the audience.
The candidates for ALA president by petition include Christine Lind Hage, director, Rochester Hills PL, MI, and James G. (Jim) Neal, Univ. Libn. Emeritus, Columbia Univ., New York. Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe, prof., coordinator for info literacy svcs. and instruction at Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, was nominated by the ALA nominating committee.
Candidates for ALA treasurer are Susan Hildreth, ED of the Califa Group, Pacific Lib. Partnership, Peninsula Lib. Syst. and admin of the NorthNet Lib. Syst., San Mateo, CA; and Patricia M. (Patty) Wong, county libn. and chief archivist, Yolo County Lib., Woodland, CA.
ALA President’s Program
Sunday, Jan. 10, 3:30–5:30 pm.
I don’t want to miss Sen. Cory Booker, a rising political star and one of my favorite Democrats. Of course, I want to hear:
Closing Speaker: Chelsea Clinton
Mon., Jan. 11, 2–3 p.m.
Matt Enis
Associate Editor, Technology
Encryption Inhibition? Enabling Library Patron Privacy in the Age of Surveillance
Sat., Jan. 9, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
The panel will discuss how libraries are using encryption to protect patron privacy. This should be a hot topic for 2016, since the Internet Security Research Group’s “Let’s Encrypt” project is scheduled to launch its public beta test this month.
New Developments at the Digital Public Library of America
Sun., Jan. 10, 1–2:30 p.m.
DPLA executive director Dan Cohen will provide an overview of the latest developments and partnerships at the organization as it approaches its third anniversary. These include an expansion of DPLA’s mission and its network of participating libraries.
Library Information and Technology Association’s (LITA) Top Technology Trends
Sun., Jan. 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
This panel is always a must-see at every ALA meeting, with tech experts offering a view of new and emerging developments likely to impact the library world. Sunday morning’s roundtable discussion should be no exception.
Knight News Challenge on Libraries
Sun., Jan. 10, 3–4 p.m.
Representatives from the Knight Foundation will preview their second Knight News Challenge on Libraries, set to launch in March. Attendees will get tips on applying for a share of $3 million in grants and hear from past winners.
Barbara Hoffert
Editor, LJ Prepub Alert
Spotlight on Adult Literature
Sat., Jan. 9, 2–4 p.m.
Intensive galley giveaways and author signings on the exhibits floor, sponsored by United for Libraries and ALA Conference Services.
The Aspen Institute’s Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries
Sun., Jan. 10, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Updating the Aspen Institute’s Dialogue on Public Libraries and Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries resources.
Gala Author Tea sponsored by ReferenceUSA
Mon., Jan. 11, 2–4 p.m.
With best-selling authors Janice Y.K. Lee, Liz Moore, Jennifer Haigh, and more, and a book signing follows. United for Libraries will recognize the winners of the 2015 National Friends of Libraries Week Awards during this event. Advance tickets $60 ($55 for United for Libraries division members); on-site tickets $65 if available.
Stephanie Klose
Media Editor
AAP Library Family Feud
Sun., Jan. 10, 3–4 p.m.
Featuring the nation’s smartest, toughest, and most humor-filled writers and librarians across the country. Play in the style of Family Feud, high score after four rounds will advance to Quick Money round. Winning team will receive a check courtesy of the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the participating publishers to be designated to their charity of choice. The event is hosted by AAP Library Committee chair Chris Vaccari, library marketing director, Sterling (aka Quizmaster Chris), and features five authors and five librarians.
AAP LibraryReads Debut Authors Panel
Sat., Jan. 9, 3–4 p.m.
Hosted by AAP/LibraryReads, this is the third installment of the ALA Midwinter Debut Author panel. Hear from first-time authors who are soon to become the next best seller, learn about the inspirations behind their debut work, the act of writing, and their own library love stories, too.
Book and Media Awards (RUSA)
Sun., Jan. 10, 5–7 p.m.
The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) unveils the year’s best in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and reference for adult readers. This year, in addition to the Listen List, Reading List, Notable Books list, and more, the event will feature the announcement of the winners of ALA’s Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, cosponsored by RUSA and Booklist. Light refreshments provided. The event is sponsored in part by NoveList.
BOSTON BOUNTY (l.–r.) Sen. Cory Booker, author Jennifer Haigh,
AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins
Rebecca T. Miller
Editorial Director
Foundations of Young Adult Success: A Developmental Framework
Sat., Jan. 9, 1–2:30 p.m.
As we all seek excellence in education beyond testing-driven strategies, this new framework from the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research promises to provide insight into the range of support kids need to thrive and what the findings might mean for libraries.
Jo Ann Jenkins: Auditorium Speaker Series
Sun., Jan. 10, 10–11 a.m.
After hearing AARP’s brand strategist Barbara Shipley speak at LJ’s Directors’ Summit in DC, I’m eager to hear current AARP CEO Jenkins’s perspective on that organization’s approach to innovation—not to mention any observations on her former role as COO of the Library of Congress, as well.
Masters Series: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich—Sustainable Thinking
Sun., Jan. 10, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
This LJ Mover & Shaker keeps digging into the hard work moving the field forward on sustainability in the broadest sense, for libraries and our communities, and everyone can and should tune in to help make the vision a reality.
Lisa Peet
Associate News Editor
Digital Inclusion Now: Policy and Practice
Sun., Jan. 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
This offering from ALA’s Office of Information Technology Policy (OITP) will be examining how libraries nationwide are working with the most recent digital inclusion initiatives, from HUD’s ConnectHome to the FCC Lifeline program to individual citywide programs.
From Glass Half Empty to Glass Half Full? Evaluating the Current Ebook Environment
Sun., Jan. 10, 8:30–10 a.m.
I want to catch this, OITP’s other offering, which will take a look at the current landscape of ebooks and libraries and where relations among publishers, vendors, and libraries are headed.
Pay No Attention to the Librarian Behind the Curtain: Virtual Reference and Privacy in Libraries
Sun., Jan. 10, 1–2:30 p.m.
The RUSA Emerging Technologies Section’s Hot Topics Discussion Group will be covering such trending—and critical—issues as the TOR anonymous browser and other digital tools designed to promote and protect patron privacy.
Northeastern University Libraries Digital Media Commons Tour
Sat., Jan. 9, 3–4 p.m.
I’m also hoping to sneak away for this tour to see some cutting-edge collaborative learning technologies in practice. RSVP to Debra Mandel (d.mandel@neu.edu) for more information.
Meredith Schwartz
Executive Editor
Check Out a Librarian
Sat., Jan. 9, 2–3 p.m.
Allowing attendees to “talk with working librarians who are doing great and interesting things with their careers” to gain info on how to get a job, move into a more specialized area, or move into your career goals seems like a great way to access real-world expertise without investing years of luck and networking to get to the right people, all in a structured format that may appeal to the self-conscious. For more along these lines, see RUSA’s Speed Mentoring Session.
Libraries Transform: Civic Innovation
Sun., Jan. 10, 8-30–10 a.m. and 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Of the many sessions devoted to the new Libraries Transform initiative, I am most drawn to those on civic innovation. Presented in two half-day sessions explicitly geared to allow attendees to drop in (and presumably out) as their schedules allow, they focus on the problems civic innovators address and the strategies they employ. I hope to hear more of initiatives like (LibraryAware Community Award winner) Activate Wichita, in which libraries are at the heart of larger, grassroots efforts to transform their communities—or where libraries could fill such a role in future.
OCLC Linked Data Roundtable: Stories from the Front
Sat., Jan. 9, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
As linked data moves from theory to practice, I’m excited to hear staff from libraries that are implementing linked data share what they’ve learned from their pilot projects and what’s next, especially when it comes to filling that “library shaped hole in the Internet” so that library resources show up in open web searches.
Henrietta Verma
Reviews Editor
Arthur Curley Memorial Lecture
Sat., Jan. 9, 4–5 p.m.
This year’s lecture will be given by Lizzie Velasquez, presenter of the popular TED talk “How Do You Define Yourself.” Velasquez, who has a rare disease that alters her appearance, is a motivational speaker who regularly addresses bullying in-person and online.
News You Can Use: Diversity Research Update
Sat., Jan. 9, 3–4 p.m.
Updates from research on diversity and research. The 2015 Achievement in Library Diversity Research honoree will also be announced.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise Celebration
Mon., Jan. 11, 6:30–7:30 a.m.
This year’s observance will be addressed by civil rights, gender equality, and social justice activist Mary Frances Berry.
For info on restaurants to try during the conference, see Boston Eats | ALA Midwinter 2016.
Editor’s Note: a mention of the United for Libraries Director’s Institute, which had appeared in the print version of this article, has been omitted from the online version because the Institute was cancelled after press time.