Exhibit Ramblings

Three online products I found interesting

The Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus Think of a root systems and words at the ends of roots to visualize how they are related. They are also in Spanish and there is audio so you can hear the words pronounced. Might be a product schools would be interested in.

Need information on different countries of the world? Have you heard about Country Watch? This online database provides information on socio-demographic, cultural, historical, economic, political, environmental and more about the 192 countries and also non-sovereign nations that make up our world. They have real-time, full-text news articles from the countries and a map gallery. This is an interesting product, which all libraries might want to look at.

And finally a product called SimplyMap from Geographic Research, Inc. They have combined demographic, business and marketing data into a user-friendly interface. Choose a location and click on the choices of data you want. This is a powerful tool.

OK that is all from ALA-Mid-Winter. Next week another topic.

ALA Mid-winter Sessions.

Those of you who have not been to an ALA mid-Winter conference may not realize that it is quite different from the Annual conference. This is where the work of the association takes place. All the various divisions of ALA, the numerous committees, and Vendor user groups/presentations are what make up the conference. There are very few if any sessions presented by librarians on what they have done. There are also fewer author appearances though authors are there.

While at the conference I attended the 19th Annual Presidents’ Seminar: The View from the Top put on by RMG consultants. Rob McGee, the consultant who helped us in the RFP for the Horizon migration puts this together. The title of this seminar was Starting Over: Re-Inventing the Integrated Library System and the Library Automation Industry. I won’t pretend that I followed everything but I did usually know the terminology used. There were representatives from 12 vendors including SirsiDynix, OCLC, Polaris, Lib Lime and more. Plus featured speakers Helen Blowers, John Blyberg, Marshall Breeding, and Wes Trager. Interesting to hear what they say and to watch the faces of the presidents of vendors in reaction to what others are saying.

I also attended committee meetings that work with the Public Information Office of ALA. They do the PR for the Association. Such as the @ your Library campaign and National Library Week. There were two committees of ASCLA, ICAN (the groups for people who work in consortia such as RPLS is). One was on Delivery and the other ILL. It is interesting to hear what others are doing, to learn that you don’t have the problems of others, and to meet people who are interested in the same topics as you are.

OK, one final post coming on Exhibits then on to another topic.

ALA Mid Winter Conference

Having never gone to this conference it was a learning experience. I attended several committee meetings and spent time in the exhibits visiting with new and old vendors. The most exciting part of the conference for me was the press conference where all the Youth Media Awards were announced. As books were announced there was clapping from the crowd and for some awards whoops and hollers. You can view all the award winners at ALA

I now have a long list of books to read and to purchase for my granddaughter.

Over the next week, I will post information about my other activities at the conference and news from the exhibit hall.

I stayed at a bed & breakfast Inn while in Denver, the Castle Marne . I was spoiled by their hospitality!!