OCLC to Host Symposium on "The Internet of Things" at ALA Annual 2014

"The Internet of Things: Coming Soon to Everywhere"

  • Date: Friday, June 27
  • Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm PST
  • Location: LVH - Las Vegas Hotel, Ballroom B (and live-streamed)

A recent Pew Research Internet Project report predicts that "The Internet of Things (IoT) will thrive by 2025," and suggests that "the opportunities and challenges resulting from amplified connectivity will influence nearly everything, nearly everyone, nearly everywhere."

But the Internet of Things goes beyond smartphones and tablets. Smart cars will tell us when to get gas based on our navigation plans. Alarm clocks will wake us earlier if there’s an accident on the route to work. Health monitors for people and animals will provide real-time alerts that summon appropriate care. Applications like these are already available on relatively small scales. But how will our lives change when entire systems of objects—buildings and communities, energy grids, public safety, transportation, schools, healthcare facilities and factories—all connect, communicate and react?

Plan on attending the OCLC Symposium at ALA Annual in Las Vegas to hear Daniel Obodovski, author of the 2013 book, The Silent Intelligence, talk about how the Internet of Things is taking shape today. Daniel was Director of Business Development at Qualcomm for M2M (machine-to-machine) products, and today consults with companies who want to bring IoT services to market. Together, Obodovski and OCLC will discuss what the future of smart, connected machines might mean for consumers, businesses and libraries.

The Americas Regional Council (ARC) is hosting the symposium, and will facilitate member table discussions following the presentation. A brief ARC update will precede the symposium OCLC will provide a live webcast of this event. If you are unable to attend the Symposium event in person, please register to participate virtually. Instructions for viewing the webcast will be sent upon registration.

If you’re attending ALA in Las Vegas, come visit OCLC at booth #913.

Register to attend the symposium in person and see the full list of OCLC activities here

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