Another Full Day -

Today was another full day at the conference - great stuff, good stuff and some not quite as good but there was always something to take away from each presentation!

Tonight was the Dead & Emerging Technologies Talk - it wasn't at last year's conference but I'm glad it's back!  It's always interesting to hear what the "professionals" think is dead/dying/alive - and, while it's always funny, there's a very serious thread running through each person's talk. 

Libraries aren't dead unless Librarians say they are - I say they aren't (even though I'm not a librarian!!)

Full day of conference today - mostly good sessions (they can't all be good!) - and unexpectedly good wireless during the convention.  Tomorrow I have to remember to take my power cords - the laptop did well after lunch but would have been even better with "juice". 

As usual, Lee Rainie (Pew Internet & American Life Project) put things into perspective with his "Then and Now" comparisons

2000
46 % of adults use the Internet
5% had broadband
50% owned cell phones
0% had wireless

2008
75% of adults use the Internet
57% have broadband
82% own cell phones
62% are wireless

Sunday trip to Arlington

What a day - the cat got loose again!! And I had to leave poor Don at home waiting for him to get back because I needed to go to a conference in Arlington!!

Don finally told me to leave (although it was a little early) because I had a bad case of the klutzy.  I got some lunch and wondered why my phone wasn't connecting - to anything- email, even the telephone!  Luckily it was early so I raced over to BJs where there is a Verizon Wireless - and said - FIX IT!!  Luckily the guy had the same phone and did what I thought needed to be done - but I couldn't get the battery cover off to take the battery out!

Luckily he could - phone ok - and off I went to Arlington.  Traffic wasn't bad - room nice - dinner expensive but delicious and back to the room where the internet connection keeps dropping - SIGH.  Have to type fast - but at least I did get the *urgent* message with attachment finally sent - - DOUBLE SIGH!!

Hope the cat comes home - hope Don doesn't stay up too late waiting for him - kind of glad I'm here.

Computers in Libraries 2009

It's spring and time for Computers in Libraries.  Once again it's in Arlington and I'm leaving Virginia Beach on Sunday with two colleagues. This conference is one of the first I ever attended and it's gotten better each year.  I'm looking forward to the sessions and, honestly, to being away from work for a little while!

I do like my job - but trying to do two jobs (since the manager retired in December) has meant that I really haven't done either one particularly well (at least in my mind!).  I've doubled the number of meetings I'm attending (ouch!) and never seem to have any time to do anything except put out fires!  Anyway, after I get back from the conference a new manager will be taking the reigns and I can, happily, go back to MY job!

But for now - it's on to Arlington and fun!