Thursday, March 20, 2008

Blog for MLA 2008!

Update: Thanks to an overwhelming response, we are replete with bloggers for MLA 2008! Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered, and I look forward to working with you all.

Novice and experienced bloggers are needed for the 2008 MLA conference: Growing Communities on May 6th-9th in Falmouth, MA.

What's blogging? Blogging is simply writing short articles for immediate publication on a blog. A blog is a website that displays these articles (or posts) in reverse chronological order, and which usually has a feed (for automatic notification of updates) and commenting features (for readers to respond to posts).

How do you blog a conference? When you attend a session or an event, you can take notes and post them as is, you can write your impressions and thoughts about what you see and learn, or some combination of both. We're looking for all sorts of bloggers for MLA2008.

The ideal blogging candidate has:
  • Some degree of writing ability
  • Comfort with the Blogger web application (note: if you can send an email, you can blog! the post form is very similar to an email composition form)
  • Desire for professional development/ publishing opportunities (your real name will go on your post - PDPs available!)
  • Access to a laptop with wireless capability

Writers don't need to commit to blog for or be present for the entire conference -- blogging for one day is fine. We do ask for a minimum of three text posts a day about events, meetings, or sessions (two for the pre-conference on May 6th). Photos, audioblogging or video blogging are optional but encouraged. A MA Libraries group has been established on Flickr; check it out at http://flickr.com/groups/91829621@N00/

Perks:
  • Free conference registration for days attended and blogged
  • Partial hotel room costs for a night's stay between two days of blogging
  • Complimentary lunch on the days you blog
  • Free Internet access for bloggers on days attended and blogged

Please contact Jennifer Koerber at jennifer DOT koerber @ gmail DOT com no later than Friday, April 4th if you are interested in writing for us. See you in Falmouth!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Volunteers Needed: Technology Petting Zoo!

New!! This year at MLA, we are pleased to debut the Technology Petting Zoo featuring a variety of gadgets of interest to you and your patrons. If you've never seen an iPhone; are considering video game consoles for your library; or are thinking about jumping on the podcasting bandwagon; come to the Zoo. If you're wondering about the devices your patrons may bring into your library to plug into your library computers, come to the Zoo. Come check out these and more in a comfortable, non-threatening atmosphere. Get demos of Web 2.0 applications like del.icio.us, flickr, Blogger, PBWiki, Second Life, and more! Nothing bites or induces allergies - we promise! It's all happening at the Zoo!

The Technology Petting Zoo will be open during Exhibit Hall Hours. Volunteers are needed to:
  • demonstrate hardware and software
  • loan equipment for use in the Petting Zoo during the conference
  • provide handouts on web 2.0 applications.
Staffing is needed during the following exhibit hall hours:
Thursday May 8: 10:30am-11:45am; 12:45-6:30pm
Friday May 9: 8:00-11:00am

Volunteers who donate 3 hours (does not have be consecutive hours) will receive FREE registration! Interested librarians should contact Beth Gallaway at: informationgoddess29@gmail.com