Showing posts with label Milwaukee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Milwaukee. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

WLA Conference in Milwaukee: Make it a Destination


With the kick-off of the 2011 WLA Conference only 6 weeks from now, and the October 3rd early bird deadline less than a week away, it can mean only one thing… you’ve got to swing into high gear, because if you don’t register soon, you’ll only have yourself to blame for missing the fun activities slated to take place November 1 – 4 in the Cream City…Milwaukee!

Ssssh!  Don’t let this out, but not only will you learn a lot…you’ll have a blast!
Parties, tours and awards to help you relax and renew your energy

Get your “party on” immediately by joining your friends and colleagues at the opening night Vendor Reception at the Hilton featuring hors d’ oeuvres and a cash bar.  There will be a series of tasty luncheons throughout the conference featuring excellent food and great speakers. (This year’s President’s Luncheon should be especially entertaining when humorist Scott Dikkers, founder of The Onion, hits the podium!)
Fun and interesting tours will abound, including a visit to see the treasures of the Krug Rare Books Room of the historic Milwaukee County Public Library Central Branch; the Milwaukee County Zoo Library (sorry Lesley Kagen fans, but Samson the gorilla is now but a bronzed memory) and the Milwaukee Art Museum, which features an extensive collection of materials on fine art and architecture including painting, graphic arts, sculpture, drawing, design and photography.

Relax and unwind with old friends at the alumni receptions hosted by UW-Milwaukee SOIS at the Pabst Mansion or the UW Madison SLIS at the elegantly restored Hilton.  If you’re into “tweeting” be sure to attend the Tweet-up and Meet-up at the Miller Time Pub.

More fun?  Take this idea for a SPiN
Attend an exciting and fun-filled evening of entertainment at SPiN Milwaukee in the trendy yet Historic Third Ward for the WLAF Fundraiser: SPiNGALACTIC!  Enjoy friends and friendly competition at this unique 16,500 square foot table tennis social club which sports 12 top quality table tennis courts.  (Think Ping Pong on steroids.)  Your $35 ticket covers table tennis, one drink, light snacks and a $20 charitable contribution to WLAF to benefit the campaign for Wisconsin Libraries.  Cash bar available and shuttle service provided.

But wait…there’s more!
Let’s not forget you’re in the largest city in Wisconsin, which means entertainment venues and shopping opportunities galore!  Plus take part in the biggest celebration in Library World, the WLA Awards & Honors Banquet.

And talk about a beautiful facility…
The Hilton Milwaukee City Center Hotel is recognized as the city’s finest hotel with a tradition going back over 80 years, providing 1920’s grandeur and elegance with today’s modern conveniences.  And you can stay at this beautiful facility at affordable WLA conference rates!

Not only is the Hilton connected directly to the Frontier Conference Center via a skywalk to make your visit to the exhibits and sessions convenient, but there’s so much more.  Need a brew?  The Miller Time Pub.  Quick bite to eat?  The CafĂ©.  Fine dining?  The Milwaukee Chop House.  Craving caffeine? Yup, you guessed it, Starbucks!  Book your room today.

Dewey or don’t we party?
Yes we do, and Milwaukee, get ready…because we’re long overdue!

Get ready to take part in a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers from other Wisconsin libraries in one exciting location to find solutions to common problems and celebrate successes.  Take part in dozens of breakout sessions to refresh your perspective and plant new ideas; visit with exhibitors sharing the latest products and services your library users need; keynote speakers to make you think, create, laugh and learn…and last, but certainly not least, have a great time, because you deserve it.

Sign-up today by clicking here, and we’ll see you in Downtown Milwaukee this November.
--Michael Kenney, 2011 WLA Conference Publicity Chair

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Top 10 Reasons to Attend This Year’s WLA Conference in Milwaukee Nov 1 – 4

10. Well, for one thing, that’s where it’s located this year…scheesh! (The Dells is so “2010”…)

9.  Celebrate the lack of November elections this year!

8.  Milwaukee is known as the Beer Capital of the World. (See reason #9 to appreciate why this might be relevant.)

7.  Can you say Silent Auction? Fantastic items to bid on, beginning Wednesday, November 2nd as part of the WLA Foundation’s Silent Auction!

6.  Our conference hotel, the acclaimed Hilton Milwaukee City Center…this ain’t the Bates Motel, that’s for sure! (Right, mother?)

5.  Those wacky after hours parties playfully discussing whether Melville Dewey’s hot new classification system really has a chance of catching on… (See 025.4 DEW)

4.  Hey, anything to get out of the library…uh, I mean, anything you can do to increase your knowledge and skill sets when it comes to the latest trends in library science and serving your beloved patrons!

3.  E-books, schmee-books…you want to learn about the next hot trend in publishing.

2.  Milwaukee is home to Harley-Davidson, developer of the Harley WLA motorcycle…really!  

(You’re a librarian…look it up.)

1.  Outstanding speakers and break-out sessions; brilliant insights into the latest trends  in the industry; beautiful host hotel and convention center; Milwaukee is A Great Place on A Great Lake; excellent food and entertainment options; fabulous opportunities to meet with friends and peers; all this and more at an affordable rate!  Be sure to visit http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2011/index.htm to look at the exciting schedule of sessions and events. 

Come celebrate WLA’s 120th Anniversary in Milwaukee this fall, and learn more about “Libraries – A Renewable Resource” at your 2011 WLA Conference. And be sure to check out our Pre-Conference offerings on November 1st – “Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like” or “Leading Through Communication” or “Lightning Fast Succession Planning”– followed by a fun vendor reception from 4:00 – 6:00.

Milwaukee this November… “Be there or be square!”*               *Milwaukee icon, “The Fonz”

Best,
Michael Kenney
2011 WLA Conference Publicity Chair

Monday, October 04, 2010

ALA recognizes Milwaukee Public Library's Computer Training Website

The American Library Association’s Learning Round Table contributor Sarah Houghton-Jan recently recognized the Milwaukee Public Library’s computer training web page and printable handouts as a top 5 source for information professionals to use as reference sources for library customers.  To read more about what makes MPL’s content a winner go to http://alalearning.org/2010/09/25/5-library-sources-for-quick-computer-training/.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

WAPL 2008: MySpace - Don’t Be Intimidated By It! Can It Work For Your Library?

A presentation by Amanda Tuthill, Young Adult Librarian at Milwaukee Public Library
http://www.myspace.com/milwaukeepubliclibrary

Overview of the process Milwaukee PL went through to create their MySpace presence:

Milwaukee PL MySpace time line:
Sep 2006:
Initial idea pitched
Info gathering stage

Nov 2006:
Formal proposal
Addressed safety concerns

March 2007:
Creation of test site [at this stage, one needed to be a friend of Milwaukee PL MySpace in order to see the beta design]
The MySpace page went through many, many design changes

May 2007:
Presentation to the Milwaukee PL Administrative Team
More info gathering
Asked other library systems who had a MySpace presence; asked about who controls site content at their libraries

Summer 2007:
Anticipation
Consulted with the city attorney

October 18, 2007:
Presentation made to the library board
Demonstrated how the MySpace page connects with the library’s mission and vision

October 19:
MySpace page went “live” at http://www.myspace.com/milwaukeepubliclibrary

Tips on setting up your own library's MySpace page:

Addressing concerns:
Teen online safety / DOPA
Content control – Milwaukee PL has set it so comments made by others require approval before they appear on the MySpace page
Ask other libraries how they're handling these issues

Favorite features of a MySpace page:
  • MPL lists all library teen events there, with links to the library’s web site
  • Amanda seeks out YA authors to “friend” on the library’s web site, so kids can start a conversation directly with authors via MySpace pages
Milwaukee PL includes a link to the library’s 24x7 chat ask-a-librarian service

They're working to get more teen-generated content posted on the MySpace page

Before you create a MySpace page for your library…
  • Have a clear purpose in mind
  • Think about who your audience will be
  • Decide who will be responsible for monitoring content
  • Decide who will be responsible for handling any issues regarding the MySpace page
  • How will you decide if what you’re doing is worth it?
  • Decide who you will choose to friend
    Other libraries?
    Authors?
    MPL doesn’t seek out teens to friend
    You don’t have to accept every friend request
Designing the page:
  • There are lots of free MySpace editor layout generators available free online; copy & paste the code
  • When determining the color scheme, teen input is crucial
  • Teen advisory boards are great for finding kids to be involved
  • Look at other libraries’ MySpace pages for ideas
On MySpace, image is everything; “Who wants to be friends with a 100-year-old building?”
Denver PL created an avatar to represent their institution
For schools attended, MPL lists all Milwaukee area schools, so their MySpace page can more easily be found by alumni

Getting the word out:
  • Don’t expect teens to be searching for you – do your best to be found
  • Bookmarks put in books written by authors who are friended by the MPL MySpace page (wow -- great idea!)
  • Highlight the MySpace page on the library’s web site
Trying new things like MySpace is a a three-step process:
  1. Get comfortable with it; wade in; get your feet wet; create a personal page for yourself to try it out; if you’re solidly on board, it will be easier to convince others to try it
  2. Keep swimming: once you know your way around; be ready to explain what you’re doing and why
  3. Dive in: you’re familiar with the waters; don’t be afraid to try the next big think if you think it’ll have a positive application for your library