Chris Ferguson, keynote speaker.

Chris' talk discussed characteristics of librarian leaders and planning tools for those leaders. He noted the library mission as an impelling source; the library values as a cohesive force; and the library vision as a directing force. Chris illustrated these ideas by describing his experiences in the conception and creation of an information commons at his institution that integrated the library, technology, and research. A group discussion addressing some of the compromises involved in combining ideals between administrations followed.

After a quick break of coffee, cookies, and other hot beverages, we convened again in Scott Hall to hear Dr. Michele Johnson, President of Pierce College Steilacoom. Michele's exuberant speaking style helped emphasize her ideas about the library's role on campus, and how they can reach out to their campus leaders for support.

Michele urged library administration and staff to seek out their campus leaders and educate them about what services and resources the library has to offer, and what the library's role on campus is. She indicated that, as an administrator, she needs to be informed about what the library needs are to best advocate for the library within the realm of her duties, be it to earn more funding, equipment, or staffing. She pointed out that she cannot possibly learn the extent of the library's needs in the context of the institution without the help of library administrators and staff reaching out to educate her and other department administrators.

Michele Johnson, Pierce College.	Mark Alfino, Gonzaga University.

Dr. Mark Alfino, Professor of Philosophy at Gonzaga University, took the floor next with a great sense of humor that included a few tongue-in-cheek jokes about philosophers. Mark spoke to the pressures library faculty face today in higher education, and started by asking us what five things we most appreciate about being a "professional." This discussion segued into what he sees as the greatest pressures we face: commoditization of information and information services; deprofessionalization; and rationalization or specialization of duties. 

Mark fleshed out these ideas and then offered some suggestions for responding to these pressures, such as: avoid concreteness/dichotomies; recognize the history of the profession and how it is changing; seek the "quintessential" experience (the "a ha!" moment); and don't be deterred by the "heroic" dimension of librarianship. Mark's was an intriguing and encouraging talk, and fostered many discussion questions to consider.

The breakout sessions were next. We could choose to chat with presenters Chris or Mark, or we could break into groups such as technical services, reference, instruction, or administration, to discuss how the presentations might be applied to the various sectors of library work. I was torn between attending the reference and instruction groups, but decided on instruction.

My group discussed the implications of new technologies in regards to how they change library services for distance students, which evolved into a discussion about chat reference. We touched on software issues, performing the reference interview via chat, and other related issues.

Next came more food, with dinner served in the Dining Hall. I was happy to chat with some new people, one being a librarian from my undergraduate institution, Western Washington University. After dinner it was time for the ACRL and CLAMS board and chapter meetings. My colleague and I decided to check out the open CLAMS meeting and the tail end of the ACRL chapter meeting.

Once the business of the day concluded, we convened in Pack Hall, a lovely lodge-type setting for our party sponsored by CLAMS. It was nice to walk around and chat with folks while others were playing games, putting together puzzles, or trying to answer the trivia questions for prizes. I didn't fare too well with the trivia, but I got the four I answered correct and that was good enough for me. Winners were awarded the infamous Nancy Pearl Librarian Action Figure, her latest book, Book Lust, and one last prize I didn't get a glimpse of. The crowd began to peter out around 9:30, and I headed back to my room shortly after to hit the sheets.

We got an early start on Friday, October 24th, with breakfast being served at 7:30. Once we were all fed we headed over to Scott Hall again to hear Julie Wallace, Manager of Community Relations and Graphics for the King County Library System (KCLS). Julie introduced us to the branding and marketing process by taking us through the conception and implementation of KCLS's marketing campaign. Julie took us from "Where to Start," to "Implementing the Brand," with all the steps in between laid out should we wish to begin marketing plans in our libraries. She also pointed out some key marketing tools and materials, like posters, newsletters, giveaways, and mailings. (Click here for more details on Julie's talk.)

Julie Wallace, King County Library System.	Panel members, Emily Keller, Carole Svensson, and Lorena O'English.