ILA 2017 Conference Preview
October 2, 2017
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Krista Bowers Sharpe
Western Illinois University
Libraries of all types foster diversity, engage community, and champion social justice. The 2017 Illinois Library Association Annual Conference, themed “Rise Up”, is a chance for us to come together and share our ideas on bettering our communities, our institutions, and ourselves. Of special interest to IACRL members are the Academic Libraries Unconference on Wednesday, October 11, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM, and the IACRL Luncheon, from noon to 1:30 PM that same day. Please note that both the Unconference and the Luncheon require preregistration. These two events will give IACRL members the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with colleagues from other Illinois colleges and universities. Hope to see all of you there!
Monday, October 9
Welcome Reception
8:00 – 10:00 PM
All conference attendees are invited to attend this informal conference kickoff.
Tuesday, October 10
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Opening Session Featuring Verna Myers
Verna Myers is on a personal mission to disrupt the status quo, and she knows how to: she's lived it. Myers rose out of Baltimore's working class to become a Harvard-trained lawyer, an entrepreneur, an author, and a cultural innovator. Her dynamic, laugh-out-loud speeches inspire audiences to go further--to move beyond leveling the playing field to creating a new field altogether--and empower people of all backgrounds to contribute at their highest levels. For the last two decades, Verna and her team of consultants have helped eradicate barriers of race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation at elite international law firms, Wall Street powerhouses, and the 10,000-member Fire Department of New York City, with the aim of establishing a new, more productive, and just status quo.
Awards Luncheon
Noon – 1:15 PM
Celebrate the achievements of your colleagues, including Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year Dr. Lian Ruan, at the Awards Luncheon. Preregistration is required for this ticketed event.
Dinner with Colleagues
7:00 PM
Staying over in Tinley Park and looking for something to do on Tuesday night? Reconnect with old friends and make new ones! Sign up for dinner with colleagues. Sign-up forms will be available on the Conference website prior to the start of ILA 2017.
Wednesday, October 11
Academic Libraries Unconference
8:00 – 11:00 AM
Choose your own Uncon! The unconference format lets attendees decide on the topics to be discussed. Registration includes a continental breakfast. Preregistration is required for this ticketed event.
ILA Membership Meeting
11:30 AM – NOON
Wondering what’s going on with your association and around the state? Whether you’re an ILA member or not, you’ll want to attend this event, which will feature a legislative update.
IACRL Luncheon
NOON – 1:30 PM
Join your academic-library colleagues for a networking lunch. Preregistration is required for this ticketed event.
DiversiTEA
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Join the ILA Diversity Committee for tea! Dr. Lian Ruan is Head Librarian and Director of International Programs for the Illinois Fire Service Institute Library and the 2017 Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year. Dr. Ruan will discuss her career as a librarian, mentoring graduate and Ph.D. students in library science, and development of training programs for Chinese and Korean firefighters and emergency responders. Her recent co-edited book, Academic Library Development and Administration in China (2016), is the first major work on Chinese academic libraries written in English. The Tea will be a mind- and awareness-raising discussion.
Exhibits Ice Cream Social
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Join the exhibitors for an afternoon treat.
Seventh Annual ILA Pub Stroll
5:30 – 10:00 PM
Don’t miss ILA’s most popular networking event! Each stop on the Pub Stroll serves food and will offer drink specials. Plan to have dinner and drinks with old friends and new colleagues. No registration is required. Attendees set their own schedule and are responsible for their own food and beverage purchases. A full list of venues and a map will be available prior to the Conference. Please make sure to visit IACRL’s stop!
Thursday, October 12
Exhibits Coffee Break
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Join the exhibitors for coffee.
Exhibits Buffet Lunch
Noon – 1:30 PM
Enjoy a complimentary buffet lunch with the exhibitors.
See the ILA website for the full conference program.
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