All Sessions

The greatest challenge for discovery systems is providing users with the most relevant search results out of the immense landscape of content. Similar to human interaction between two parties, where people adjust in tone, language, and subject matter, discovery systems need to “understand” the user’s context as well as the materials’ scholarly value. The session will describe Ex Libris Primo’s approach to relevance ranking. In addition to employing traditional information-retrieval methods that have been adapted to scholarly data, ScholarRank takes into account the intrinsic academic value of materials along with information about the user and the user’s research needs.

Vannetta Chapman, Author
"A Perfect Square"

This luncheon is to allow our Affiliate organizations to meet in an informal environment to convey information that might be of interest to other organizations within the Affiliate Member Network.

Budgeting information and approval.

Dallas Public Library is rethinking everything as it transitions out of the Great Recession of 2008. Mobile technology allows staff to deliver service at point of contact; an innovation incubator provides opportunities for assistance to those wanting to start a micro-business; and a renewed commitment to library services in a digital age has staff focused on the customer’s experience.

Held at a nearby restaurant, this gathering allows for colleagues to network over lunch.

Deborah Crombie, Author
"No Mark Upon Her"

Camy Tang, Author
"Protection for Hire"

When candidates for one job opening all have an MLS, how can you make yourself stand out? What will impress the person doing the hiring? This session will discuss ways you can take advantage of opportunities such as practicum’s, fieldwork, independent studies, special projects (i.e. developing a social media tool, or creating a web based tutorial), and research projects in order to enhance your resume and impress hiring officials. Come to this session to meet with students, recent graduates, and federal librarians to learn about opportunities available to you, and the best way to highlight them to get you job offers.

Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities: join these conversations and leave Midwinter with new tools to become a better advocate. Libraries rely on partners within the community to advocate on their behalf more than ever before. But how can libraries stay relevant to these stakeholders in an environment of ever-changing priorities? Join visionary professor David Lankes, author of “Atlas of New Librarianship” ( (http://www.newlibrarianship.org), in two afternoons of innovative and interactive conversations about harnessing the evolving role of libraries, and strengthening the librarian’s voice to help shape community perception.

Facilitators from the graphic recording company, Sunni Brown (http://sunnibrown.com/), will help create visual images of the plenary conversations that conclude each afternoon. The Saturday, January 21, 2012, session focuses on “Understanding Your Communities.” The Sunday, January 22, 2012, session focuses on “Transforming Librarianship.” Both run from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Sessions are open to all Midwinter Meeting attendees; please add them to your Scheduler to indicate that you plan to attend. Attendees will also receive a coupon for 5% off the price of David Lankes’ galvanizing “Atlas of New Librarianship” (ACRL/MIT Press, 2011) at the ALA Conference Store.

The conversation continues on Sunday afternoon (http://alamw12.scheduler.ala.org/node/1073).

Committee meeting to create a bibliography of books that exhibit commendable literary quality and significant authentic lgbt content and are recommended for adults over age 18.

Book Buzz Theater Featuring Penguin Young Readers

Part of the Membership Component Committee Meetings

Lucy Burdette, Author
"An Appetite for Murder"

A Panel Discussion featuring Midwestern State University, UT Dallas and Texas Woman's University.
Today, most libraries are evaluating their next resource management system. But many are unaware of the numerous paths available to them to get from today's technology environment to the future. Hear from three members of the Alma Early Adopter Community and how they are preparing to transition today's environment into the next generation of systems.

Join library panelists as they share current and planned efficiency savings achieved with OCLC Web-scale Management Services by replacing rote tasks with higher-value, higher-priority projects. This session will be led by an OCLC workflow consultant who has been on-site at these implementing libraries to assess the impact of Web Scale services on cataloging, discovery and delivery.

Introductory meeting for the 2013 Newbery Award Selection Committee.

Meeting of the committee to discuss scholarship applicants.