ALA Annual 2023 Conference Takeaways from Amigos Staff

Submitted by Amigos on Thu, 2023-07-06 13:46

Several Amigos staff attended this year's ALA conference in Chicago. Below, they share their notable conference activities, takeaways and insights.

Erin Gray, Library Services and Technology Trainer & Missouri Libraries 2 Go Coordinator
Erin took advantage of the many opportunities at this year’s conference to learn about new services and technology uses happening now in academic, public, and special libraries settings. Her favorite sessions this year were:

  • Utilizing data visualizations for a community of practice support
  • Implementing virtual reality (VR) in library partnerships and collaborations
  • OER innovations and library instruction strategies
  • 3D mapping for library services and content visibility

Bea Ramirez, Manager, Member Discount Services and Trans-Amigos Express
In addition to walking the exhibit hall to look at new products and services and visiting the Oxford and SpringShare booths, Bea attended sessions and scheduled meetings with Amigos vendor partners.

She also had toured one of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries (RAILS) facilities to see how in-house courier service is provided to over 400 libraries. Bea was able to learn about their sorting and delivery operations and how they support courier users by posting YouTube videos. At the Physical Delivery Interest Group meeting she heard updates from other courier programs in the US and a discussion on specialized containers for large or rare materials

Kristin Evans, Association Management Services Manager
Kristin attended the Chapter Leaders Forum to learn more about the issues and challenges being faced by state association leaders. She stated that it was a wonderful opportunity to discuss difficult issues that the library world is facing right now as well as celebrate victories (such as the recent law passed in IL banning book censorship). In addition to the work to fight against pro-censorship laws in their legislature, many associations see the need for improved succession planning and training of new leaders.

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