WLA Annual Conference 2004

Nov. 2 - 5, 2004/ Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

 

Bernie's Personal Conference Fav's

(Inspired by last week's “Top Ten Reasons to Attend the WLA Conference, this year's conference committee chair Bernie Bellin sent me his own list of reasons to attend this year.)

 

10. Attending our very own version of the Oscars -- the Awards Banquet -- and wearing my new flamingo bow tie and cummerbund.

9. Visiting the 'no double dipping' chocolate station (again and again) at the Carthage Hedberg Library Dessert Reception.

8. Counting the life preservers on the “Breakfast on the Boat” boat on Geneva Lake.

7. Wondering if Alphonse Vinh tells us that NPR reference questions stack up to Wisconsin weirdness (A photograph of a dinosaur has always been my favorite).

6. Checking the exhibits for a promotional item that is 'stringing' you along with bright lights.

5. Buying at least one 'to die for' chocolate bar cookie each day at the Starbuck's Café in the Resort.

4. Christmas shopping at the WLA Store for some of Nancy's "naughty, but nice" stress relievers.

3. Escorting Nancy Pearl to the Cactus Club Cantina Foundation Dinner and have her autograph my Library Action Figure after two margaritas.

2. Wishing Happy Birthday to the exhibitor's rep who isn't into triple digits, but she is turning 50 on November 3 rd .

1. Seeking out any YSS Board parties (defined as any place where more than two board members are gathered). The Royal 'ribald' Revelry on Thursday night would definitely count!

Donate books to Twin Oaks

The Social Responsibilities Round Table is asking attendees at the 2004 WLA conference to bring donations of new or gently used books for Twin Oaks Shelter, Walworth County's only shelter for the homeless. Many of those who spend time there are families with children. You can help share the enjoyment of books and reading to the residents of Twin Oaks. There will be a book cart located in the registration area where you can place your donations. Cash donations are also welcome.

Early bird registration ends October 1


Only two weeks remain to receive early registration discounts for this year's WLA conference in Lake Geneva.  You can go to the WLA  conference webpage http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2004/general/registration.pdf to print out the registration form.  After October 1, the rates go up $10 for each membership category.

Supertintendent Burmaster goes to WLA
Wisconsin State Superintendent of Department of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster will travel to Lake Geneva to speak to conference attendees at the keynote Wednesday afternoon immediately before Nancy Pearl's presentation. Superintendent Burmaster is a great advocate for libraries and her comments will be of particular interest the day after the election.

Invite an Exhibitor to Lunch
The Grand Geneva's exhibit hall is at the opposite end of the building from where registration is set up, as many of you may remember from the 1998 conference.  If the logistics of getting from point A (your last session room) to point B (exhibits) are difficult to overcome during the no conflict times, sharing your box lunch with an exhibitor is one way to make a contact and talk.  Or invite your favorite exhibitor to join you and your colleagues during happy hour!  Please visit our exhibitors and let them know how glad you are to see them.  Many new vendors will on the exhibit floor for the first time.

Library Action Figure Photo Contest
The entries for the Library Action Figure Photo Contest are due Friday, October 22, 2004.  Here are couple things to remember:
* Pictures must be no larger than 4 7/8" x 4 ¾" or the size of a single CD jewel case.
* Pictures must be displayed and submitted in a single CD jewel case.
* Include a caption.
* Include name of individual or WLA unit submitting the picture.
Send your entries to:  Nancy Fletcher at Waukesha County Federated Library System.  Entries will be on display at the WLA store throughout the conference.  The inspiration for the library action figure, Nancy Pearl, will be judging photo entries while she is at the conference. 


Get Gifted @ the WLA Store


Want to avoid the holiday shopping hassles this year? Think about it: heading to the mall or shopping center along with kids, spouses, significant others, and hundreds of thousands of folks JUST LIKE YOU is sure to be purgatory, or worse. Shopping online has drawbacks as well. Will you get what you ordered in time? Will it be the right size or color? In a few short weeks, you can get ahead of the game. Avoid the crowds who are definitely NOT in the holiday spirit and the uncertainties of surf shopping. All you have to do is drop by the WLA store at the conference this year in Lake Geneva!

Nancy Fletcher and her store cohorts are looking forward to seeing everyone at the conference November 2-5. Not only will the Store have spectacular stuff for the holidays, you'll find that perfect gift for a retiring colleague (we all know one or two of these, right?), gifts for birthdays,
gifts for special occasions, and even special treats to keep for yourself! These gifts include toys, cosmetic "briefcases" (ask anyone on the YSS board), clothing, stationery, jewelry, items that are environmentally friendly, and much more. The store will accept cash, personal checks, and credit cards.

And don't forget: early registration ends October 1!

Conference Highlights

Join your colleagues and friends from around the state at this year's annual WLA Conference at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in beautiful Lake Geneva November 2 - 5. This conference promises to be exciting and informative with a great line up of over 60 programs, speakers, and special events sponsored by WLA's divisions, sections, and roundtables. Conference highlights include sessions on library advocacy, readers advisory, public relations, and customer service.

Be sure to attend the keynote address presented by Book Lust author and library action figure model Nancy Pearl, at 5:30 on Wednesday. Look for a lively discussion as she describes an "Evening of Book Lust." Earlier in the day she will be presenting a session sponsored by READ and Circulation Services Roundtable titled "'Yes, Ma'am' -- Mood Appeal and Motivation in Providing Excellent Readers Advisory."

The PR committee is holding a preconference workshop on Tuesday from 1:00-4:00 called "Public Relations for Libraries 101. There is a separate fee for this session (see conference registration form). Watch for details!

Richard Harwood, founder and president of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, is the featured speaker at the Wisconsin Library Trustees Association luncheon on Thursday. He will talk about the role of libraries in engaging citizens in the political process. The luncheon is cosponsored by SRRT, FOWL, LART, Membership, IFRT, and OSRT. Immediately following the luncheon, he will be joined by Nanette Bulebosh and Amy Lutzke for "A New Political Covenant: the Wisconsin Library Caucus." Newbery Award winning author Avi is this year's presenter at the Youth Services Section luncheon on Wednesday. Avi is the author of Crispin, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Poppy, and many other popular titles. The luncheon is cosponsored by the Wisconsin Association of School Librarians.

This year's Banta Award has been given to Larry Watson for the book, Orchard. He will discuss his book on Thursday afternoon during the Banta Award session, sponsored by the Literary Awards Committee. Dr. Watson will present a session Friday morning called "Writer as Researcher."

NPR librarian Alphonse Vinh is the featured speaker at the President's luncheon on Friday. Be sure to attend the luncheon to hear him talk about "All (Reference) Things Considered." This promises to be a spectacular conclusion to the conference.

One of the programs with an emphasis on customer service is called "Tongue Fu! How To Deal With Difficult Individuals Without Becoming One Yourself," scheduled for Wednesday morning and presented by Sandi Knutson. This 2-part session is sponsored by CSRT and cosponsored by SSS, OSRT, WAPL, WAAL, Membership, RASS, and WISLR.

On Wednesday the WLA Foundation is hosting a fundraising dinner at the Cactus Club in Lake Geneva. The Foundation will also have its silent auction. Be sure to visit the items on auction and bid high and often!

New this year is a breakfast buffet for attendees on Thursday morning. A free continental breakfast will be available on Wednesday morning only. A special breakfast boat tour on historic and scenic Geneva Lake is planned for Friday.

Many activities are planned for the evening hours, including book discussions, receptions, and even another YSS-sponsored party. The Lake Geneva Public Library welcomes all conference attendees to their book discussion of Winesburg, Ohio on Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening after the awards banquet, Gary Warren Niebuhr will lead a READ-sponsored discussion of Larry Watson's book, Orchard. Join UW-MadisonSLIS and UW-Milwaukee SOIS for a combined reunion on Wednesday evening, 6:30-7:30, to catch up with former classmates and faculty.

An all-conference dessert reception will be held at the Riviera Ballroom on Geneva Lake near the library on Wednesday evening from 8:00-9:30. Many delicious and decadent treats, as well as special entertainment, will await you at the Riviera. YSS will be kicking off the 2005 summer reading program theme "Dragons, Dreams, and Daring Deeds" with a Royal Revelry party. There will be much merriment, entertainment, and a costume contest.

Spend some time in the exhibit hall during the no-conflict time to visit the vendors and displays. See what's new and exciting in promotions, building design, books, and other areas of interest for librarians, staff, and our communities.

For the technology-minded, the Grand Geneva has wireless internet access in the meeting rooms, common areas, and room accommodations.
Mark your calendars and get registered for the 2004 WLA Conference. The complete Call-to-Conference will be online at the WLA website www.wla.lib.wi.us very soon. For more information on what to do in Lake Geneva, you can click on the Chamber of Commerce page at http://www.lakegenevawi.com/ or the conference hotel site at http://www.grandgeneva.com/ Remember to vote, then we'll see you in Lake Geneva!

--Rhonda K. Puntney, 2004 WLA Conference Publicity Chair, July 23, 2004