EVENT: OU Libraries Conference: Exceeding User Expectations in a Digital Age
DATE: March 5-6
“Redefining Relevance: Exceeding User Expectations in a Digital Age” will be the theme of the 2009 national librarians’ conference sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Libraries.
The conference, featuring presentations by nationally recognized librarians, is scheduled for March 5-6 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Oklahoma City.
OU Libraries has sponsored a national conference on current issues facing libraries since 1982, noted Sul H. Lee, dean and Peggy V. Helmerich Chair, adding that “past conferences have been very successful in bringing together librarians from across the United States and Canada to discuss such issues as reference service, fund raising, electronic formats and vendor evaluation.”
The first day of the conference, which will take place in the afternoon, will feature lectures on the following topics: “”What Do Users Want? What Do Users Need? W(h)ither the Academic Research Library?” “The Relevance Gap and How to Cross It: Factors in Misalignment Between Libraries and Faculty and Models for Improved Student Experience,” “Thought Happens. What Should the Library Do About It” and “Aligning Library Strategy and Structure With the Campus Academic Plan.”
The second day of the conference, with morning presentations only, will feature lectures titled “When Machines Do Research: Text-Mining and Other Uses of Newspapers and News Reports,” “Documenting the Global Conversation: Relevancy of Libraries in a Digital World,” “Through Any Means Available: Connecting People With Scholarship” and “There’s Always Tomorrow? Libraries on the Edge.”
Registration deadline for the conference is Feb. 13. Full details about the conference can be found at http://libraries.ou.edu/conference. For more information and/or accommodations on the basis of disability, contact Rhonda Cannon at rhondacannon@ou.edu or (405) 325-2611. The Embassy Suites Hotel is reserving a number of rooms at a special conference rate if reserved by Feb. 18. For more information and to make reservations, call the hotel at (405) 682-6000 or go to www.oklahomacity.embassysuites.com.