This year’s conference has been shaped by contributions from ILI's 100-strong panel of previous delegates, together with the International Advisory board. Two big questions emerged: how do information professionals engage with users and with their organisation as a whole, influencing others to value the importance of their role and services; and how do they compete with Google – indeed, should they even try to compete?
These questions challenges are explored in depth in dedicated conference sessions, and return throughout the six main conference tracks:
The Learning Library, The Learning Librarian
Highlights include Rafael Ball from ETH Zurich on what big data means for libraries and librarians; Kenn Bicknell from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority on strategic innovation tools for libraries; and case studies of collaborative library service design from University College Dublin, Cambridge Conservation Initiative and Cambridge Judge Business School.
New Tech for a New World
Featuring Copenhagen University Library on digital data labs, UWE’s Virginia Power on using open data to teach data literacy skills, University of Sussex’s Johanna Ball on using Wifi to understand library building use, and a look at Denmark’s radical Open Libraries concept.
Engagement – Real Impact on Real Communities
User engagement case studies from the Universities of Portsmouth and Hull, University College Cork, and New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. David Parkes of De Montfort University and Jiaxin Low from Singapore Management University discuss new approaches to library orientation.
Understanding Users, Influencing Use
A case study from Uppsala University Library looks at evaluating the needs of different user groups, including digital humanities researchers and university teachers. Other case studies explore successful marketing initiatives at Roche, and Oslo and Akershus University College.
Improving Search, Supporting Research
The latest trends and techniques for search and discovery. Highlights include Utrecht University’s scholarly communication support services, using social media tools to support research, and the University of Hertfordshire’s experience of moving away from Google Scholar and implementing a Research Discovery Service. And of course the ever popular Phil Bradley’s non-stop tour of the best apps, tips, tools and sites to help ensure you stay one step ahead.
Setting Digital Content Free
The British Library’s Stella Wisdom on a free app that uses GPS to help users encounter open archive collections, customised content from Rijkswaterstaat in the Netherlands and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and tips on digital preservation from the University of London.
New for 2016 are collaborative and informal 'Peers with Ideas' sessions where delegates can share tips, swap ideas, and discover new tools and inspiration, including contributing to the ILI Big Read. The conference also offers three pre-conference workshops and an extensive Sponsor Showcase.
ILI will take place at Olympia Conference Centre in London on 18/19 October 2016. Discounts are available for members of many professional associations, and for multiple delegates from the same organisation: www.internet-librarian.com