LIRT News March 1998

Report from the Vice-President/President Elect

by Gale Burrow, gburrow@rocky.claremont.edu

What makes an ALA Conference rewarding? I've thought about that a lot since January's Midwinter Conference in New Orleans. As busy as I was during those five days, I came back to Claremont full of energy and enthusiasm, eager to share ideas I'd encountered and encourage others to get involved in ALA.

Was it the city? New Orleans is one of my favorite conference cities--friendly people, plenty of good food, and lots to do. I think we saw the best and the worst of a New Orleans winter. The first few days were gloriously warm and clear, the last two rainy, windy and chilly. But Monday's rains gave me the opportunity to spend time with other LIRT folks also seeking shelter from the downpour, just talking and getting to know each other better while we waited for our next meetings. And in spite of the rain, Linda Chopra, LIRT's Treasurer, and I shopped and lunched in the French Quarter after our Tuesday morning meeting.

While I was getting to know LIRT folks, I also learned more about LIRT. Several of us spent an intense hour with Lorelle Swader, our ALA Liaison, trying to understand how the budget works. That was challenging! At Saturday's All-Committees meeting, one of my responsibilities was to visit each committee, hear what they were doing, and find out if there were ways I could help them. Every group was enthusiastic about their projects and working to make those projects as valuable as possible for all of us who provide library instruction. It was energizing to interact with people who are so involved in our organization and our profession. And I've concluded that's what makes a conference rewarding--feeling involved.

There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved if you're not already. Many LIRT committees need volunteers, and each one offers different avenues for participation. For example, the Liaison Committee provides a window into the work of non-LIRT groups involved in library instruction; if you'd like to sample what's going on in instruction throughout ALA, this is the committee for you. The 1999 Program Planning Committee is looking for people with great ideas to help plan and organize an outstanding program. If your expertise lies in using computers in instruction, you may want to join the Computer Applications Committee. Whatever your interests, LIRT has a place for you. So volunteer! You'll like being involved.

LIRT News, March 1998. Volume 20, number 3.
To report problems, please contact the LIRT News Production editor at edwards@ufl.edu