Version User Scope of changes
Mar 19 2008, 4:12 PM EDT (current) erindowney 188 words added
Mar 19 2008, 4:03 PM EDT erindowney 261 words added

Changes

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  • We were able to share experiences across library types so was good to share with people outside our group - whether that is public, academic, special, or other.
  • Shannon astutely observes that there was a lot that sounded good - but limited time. More sessions!
  • Initially reluctant but enjoyed - was able to learn from others in different libraries.
  • In an unconference-type situation we weren't able to cover all the related topics - pros and cons to the setup. Blended approach combining best of the traditional conference and the unconference concept.
  • Being able to share in groups is a bonus - getting to talk about what we wanted to talk about.
  • We were able to be more timely - things that are important now rather than 6 months or a year in the past? Observation about other conferences asking for program info a year or more prior.
  • This experience was a chance to communicate rather than to passively consume information.
  • Lunch bunches were popular - having a free-flow exchange with others that you don't normally see was good, getting out of the typical groups?
  • Being the only person in your building can be isolating - the unconference helped those in smaller work groups connect
  • Recommendation - grab people you don't know and have lunch, get out of that typical circle of folks - we can do this even at more structured conferences.
  • Connecting with people who do similar things outside of regions, systems, buildings
  • What next?
    • We have a wiki!!! (you're reading it)
    • Can add to the pages from each session
    • Noted that western Kansas needs something regional - this was still pretty "eastern" in scope
    • Dodge City? Colby? Suggestions fly!
  • Need better tables to facilitate convos at lunch
  • Groups fragmented at lunch - bring lunches in to avoid splitting?
  • Spring break timing was thumbs-up - especially for a university town
  • Nobody wants to give up their weekends for this!
  • Jason is expert unconference-setter-upper
  • We talk about how we got this started - really a group effort that came from communicating with like-minded folks in the library world. Worries about speakers and things like that were nil.
  • Lightening talks - bringing up issues and topics - like pecha kucha? Give people slots on the wiki to prepare really short presentations to kickstart things?
  • Shorter snippets on topics related to main topic - nice to go into depth to explore solutions
  • Communities of practice - a way to bring together people in similar situations/job issues
  • Nebraska is planning an unconference as a preconference to their state conference in Lincoln... thinking that it might be more effective as a postconference but they are locked into this time slot this year