Information to help you in Chicago and at the conference
As a new to LITA attendee be sure to check out the LITA @ ALA Annual page
Pay particular attention to the LITA Conference Kickoff, Friday June 23, 2017, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm at McCormick Place, W194b
This is a great opportunity for current and prospective members to talk with Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) leaders and learn how to make connections and become more involved in LITA activities.
There will also be a happy hour:
LITA Happy Hour, Sunday, June 25 • 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: The Beer Bistro
1061 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 433-0013
Meet ups are an ideal way to help you meet LITA members, find out about the division and network with your colleagues. The LITA @ ALA Annual page also details a number of the most significant and popular LITA programs at ALA Annual.
Interest Groups
LITA has several interest groups who will be meeting at Annual. These meetups are more informal than committees and are a great way to keep updated on issues and topics which interest you. They cover topics such as mobile computing, user experience, women in technology, and more. For further information, please visit our Interest Group meetings at Annual 2017 page.
Other Information
Where to eat article: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/06/01/windy-city-eats-dining-guide-alaac17/
ALA conference preview article here: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/06/01/2017-ala-annual-conference-preview/
Your conference badge: It will be waiting for you at registration in the convention center when you arrive. Please contact alaregistration@compusystems.com if you can’t locate the email confirmation that included your registration information.
Scheduling and keeping track: Use the Conference Scheduler and mobile app to plan, prioritize, track, get updates, and add sessions, programs, events, and exhibitors to your personal calendar. Social media is a great way to keep up, ask your questions, and get updates: #alaac17 on Twitter; the Facebook Event; Pinterest; Tumblr; and #alaac17 on Instagram. You’ll find a range of conference-related practical information and tips on the conference website.
First-time attendee? Use these helpful tips if you are a first-timer.
Accessibility: If you require help or accommodations, please email confaccess@ala.org or call the Conference Services Accessibility Hotline at (312) 280-3225. More information about accessibility options can be found on ALA's website at http://2017.alaannual.org/accessibility
Exhibits and other highlights: Check out who is exhibiting and start planning your time in the exhibits, including events on the various stages. Get highlights from the pre-show digital issues of the show daily Cognotes and additional recommendations from American Libraries’ popular conference preview and dining guide.
Local transportation and attractions: Information about traveling in Chicago can be found at http://2017.alaannual.org/getting-around-chicago
We look forward to seeing you in Chicago next week.
FIRST-TIME ATTENDEE INFORMATION
First time at ALA Annual Conference? Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.
ALA wants your first Annual Conference to be extraordinary, and we hope these tools and tips will help make that happen.
ALA Ambassadors help make the connection
ALA Ambassadors (ALA members who are longtime Annual Conference-goers) will be available throughout the conference and in the new ALA Lounge. ALA ambassadors can help you make connections to programs, people, and places so your conference time is well spent. Look for the Roving Ambassadors around the conference site, too, with royal blue ribbons and “ASK ME” buttons, ready to answer your questions on the go.
ALA Lounge (brought to you by ALA membership)
Visit the ALA Lounge to connect with colleagues from the New Members Round Table (NMRT) and other members, as well as ALA staff who can help answer your questions about the conference, your membership, the Libraries Transform campaign, and the many things happening at ALA. You can also find ALA Ambassadors here, ready to help you (and anyone looking for a conference refresher, first-timer or not) make connections to programs, people, and places so your conference time is well spent.
Questions?
Find us at the ALA Lounge.
Look for the royal blue ribbons and “ASK ME” buttons that all Ambassadors will be wearing. They are ready to help.
Tweet or DM us your question at http://twitter.com/alaannual.
Visit the Networking Uncommons where there’s always someone to help.
Ask other attendees around you; they’ve all been first timers.
ALA JobLIST Placement Center
The ALA JobLIST Placement Center in the Convention Center is open Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with an orientation on Saturday, June 26, 8:30am. Stop by the Open House on Sunday, June 27, 10:30am – 12:00 noon for a special chance to talk to numerous employers. Free services for jobseekers include résumé posting on the JobLIST website, career guidance workshops, conversations with a career counselor, résumé review, photography, and the chance to talk to employers in the Placement Center.
Tips from the New Members Round Table for a successful ALA Conference
(Find more at http://2017.alaannual.org/resources-first-time-attendees)
Basics
Explore your interests and learn something new. Wear your nametag to meetings and social events. Bring business cards. Use the maps provided in this program book. Take advantage of the free conference shuttles. For last-minute changes check the show daily, Cognotes; the Conference Scheduler or mobile app and/or Twitter (#alaac17).
Design Your Conference
Use the conference scheduler to design your experience--match the programs, poster sessions, discussion groups, speaker series, and social events to your interests, expertise, and organization’s initiatives. Schedule your days around times and places, and have alternate events in mind just in case — and it’s ok to arrive late or leave early. Allocate plenty of time for the Exhibits.
Network and Stay Connected
Meet people and network like mad — talk to others, ask questions, share information, and learn from the thousands of other attendees, ALA staff, and exhibitors. You may just meet a potential collaborator, mentor, or friend for life. Keep connections — make notes and send follow-ups to the contacts and presenters you meet. When you get home, apply your experiences, review your notes, and share new ideas you learned with your co-workers.
Enjoy!