Idaho Commission for Libraries

Library Camp of the West
I recently had the opportunity to attend the ever-growing popular "Library Camp" -- the un-conference.

How is this different you might ask? Unlike other professional events, this is a grass-roots effort with minimal structure offering the opportunity for individuals connected with libraries in any capacity to meet, network, and discuss issues for a day. No registration fees -- just get yourself there and bring some lunch money for an intense day of library talk!

The Library Camp of the West was organized by three individuals -- who had prior to this event had only met virtually -- one from a small library in Northwest corner of Wyoming, and two from Colorado. "The idea is that once it gets rolling, Library Camp of the West will be self-organizing. The participants will create the conference as we go along." The minimal structure was determined through an online wiki -- we (about 150 we's from all over the West) met on Friday morning at Denver University, parsed out the discussion topics into three meeting times with 4-5 breakout rooms and away we went!

The event lived up to all expectations! It took all those short periods of time at a conference where you have the opportunity to visit and meet new contacts and rolled it into one day! I met new colleagues, re-connected with others whom I had met before, discussed and shared ideas, and re-energized.

I encourage you to visit Library Camp of the West to review the notes from the various discussion sessions. This will give you a feel for the event as well as great resources. Here is the list of topics we discussed:

SESSION 1
Online Social Networking and Professional Development
Staff Development
Embedded Librarianship Breakout
Project Management in Libraries

SESSION 2
Growing Leaders
Chat and other innovative reference service
Transforming Libraries
Marketing
Reader's Advisory

SESSION 3
Web2.0
Impracticle, Unfeasable, Unfundable Ideas
Future of libraries
Gaming

The nice thing about a Library Camp is that anybody can organize one -- all it takes is a wiki to get the word out and you will be surprised at who all comes! So I would challenge anyone in the Idaho library community to go forth and create an unconference -- you won't be disappointed!