Too much to see in one day? Tried desperately to keep up with yours and the workshop next door? Following from afar?
We’ve captured the narrative – tweets and pics – from yesterday’s workshop day so you can catch up on all the action.
Feb 102013
Feb 062013
Haven’t tweeted at a professional event before? Or just in need of a re-cap? Here’s your social media guide to NLS6.
Okay, the basics first.
Key information and updates will be shared via @alianls6. Make sure you’re following us and we’d love to hear about your experience at NLS6!
The ‘conversation’
Engage with others in the sharing of ideas and content by using the hashtags #nls6sun and #nls6mon. These hashtags will be used throughout the 6th New Librarians’ Symposium, across all social media. You can even follow along by saving a search for #nls6 in your Twitter app. If you plan on live tweeting during NLS6, we’ve found these helpful tips.
Now for the super cool bits….
Capturing the #nls6 story
The #nls6 story will be captured at the end of each day using Storify. A link to the story will be provided via Twitter and embedded into blog posts so you can catch up on all the #nls6 shenanigans. So that makes it doubly important you use the #nls6 hashtag to be part of the story. Make your mark!
Snap and share your #nls6 experience
Get together, meet new people and share your pics of your #nls6 experience. Don’t forget to tag them with #nls6 when you post them online. Each afternoon, we’ll be selecting a ‘pic of the day’.
There will be plenty of Twitter folk handy at NLS6, no shortage willing to help others out with using Twitter. Here are a selection of folks to get you started – follow them to see what they’re up to at NLS6. Kick off a conversation, say ‘hi!’
Keynote speakers
Stuart Candy @futuryst
Ryan Donahue @RyanD
Marcus Foth @sunday9pm
Sue Gardner @SuePGardner
Ruth Kneale @desertlibrarian
Ingrid Parent @ingrid_parent
Jenica Rogers @jenica26
Workshop Presenters & Panelists
Katherine Howard @K1Howard
Eleanor Whitworth @elewhitworth
Kathryn Greenhill @libsmatter
Kim Tairi @haikugirloz
Ellen Forsyth @ellenforsyth
Sue Hutley @suehutley
Mylee Joseph @myleejoseph
Margaret Warren @mawarre
And just in case you missed it, the hashtag is #nls6 😉
Jan 312013
NLS6 is just around the corner, almost time to dust off the suitcase and get ready to head to sunny Brisvegas. So what do you pack? Or if you’re a Brisbane local who can take advantage of having their home comforts at hand, what should you bring to the conference each day?
Well, the best people to ask are your network, those who have done it before and have got the low down on conference essentials.
I turned to Twitter, crowdsourced for suggestions and here’s what my network told me…
A Twitter account and a business card. Twitter allows you to connect with people and will be a fantastic way to catch up with your new connections when NLS6 is over.
While Twitter is a great tool for making connections, having a business card to hand out is a sure fire way to stick in people’s memories. It doesn’t have to be a business card from an organisation either. A card that you have designed with links to your online resume or blog can get people interested in finding out more about you. And if you haven’t got time to get some business cards made up then bring some coloured paper and some pens and had out your details.
Those post-it notes will also come in handy for you to jot down a note reminding you about the person who gave you their card and what you might like to speak to them about in the future.
Ok, some of professional items ticked off. Now for the practical bit!
My network tells me comfy shoes are a must as well as outfits that are going to take you from the symposium to dinner and drinks afterwards. For a great list of what to pack and check out this list of what to pack for a weekend away. While NLS6 is a professional event and is going to provide you with some amazing professional development opportunities as well as inspiration by the bucketload, it’s also important to remember that it’s Brisbane on the weekend. No-one is going to be expecting you to show up in a business suit, which is why the Elsevier NLS6 BBQ has a beach theme. Seeing as you’ll save room in your suitcase by skipping the suit jackets, you can throw some boardies in.
Just remember it’s Brisbane in summer, so yes it is going to be hot (and humid), but it might also be raining (remember the brolly!) The conference location is air-conditioned, so ensure to pack a few layers you can take on and off easily and won’t take up much room in your bag.
And the last two important things to pack? Water and gadget chargers. Water because it’s Brisbane in summer, it’s hot, yes I am repeating myself I know! And gadget chargers because there is nothing worse than being without power when you really want to call,text, email or tweet someone. If you’ve got room throw in some spare chargers too, and as @katiedatwork said, ‘bring a powerboard and you’ll meet lots of new people!’.
For some more tips on conference survival have a look at advice these librarians offer. Conference veterans know what they are talking about.
Conference Survival Tips – 35 Conferences Later
A Library Conference Survival Guide – 20 Tips
So happy packing and safe travels, but before you rush off to start testing out comfy shoes, if you have any other suggestions on what to pack or how to survive, please feel free to share them in the comments below!
Many thanks to those who contributed their survival and packing suggestions – @acrystelle, @katiedatwork, @madradish, @lyndelleg, @SpiroAgnew2012 and @sutherma.
Jan 252013
You’ve registered for the symposium and you are excited about it. Three whole days of learning and discovering the issues that affect information professionals. But you’re also nervous, because you have never been to a symposium before. What to expect? Who will I meet?
It sounds overwhelming but it is vital to network when attending professional events such as the New Librarians’ Symposium. It’s a tough time in the job market. However networking opens the door to jobs and sectors you never knew existed. You can meet people who can become lifelong friends or even your future employer. The possibilities are endless, and with social media, it has never been easier to keep in contact with people.
Not convinced? Picture this – being in a room where everyone knows each other except you. The feeling of being the odd one out does not sit well. That is how I felt when I attended a professional development session. Fortunately, I received some wise words from a liaison librarian based in Saskatchewan, Canada who helped me overcome this situation. She advised me to become more involved in my profession and industry. She told me to NETWORK.
This is what I did:
- I opened up a Twitter account and started following random people in my industry.
- I created a Linkedin profile and joined some of the Information and Knowledge Management groups such as CILIP and IFLA.
- Created a business card highlighting my qualifications and my skills and handed these out to conference delegates and keynotes. Be confident – know who you are and what you can offer.
You have done all that and are at the symposium and you are surrounded by people you have never met before. Anxiety hits and thoughts such as these may rush through your head:
‘What happens if I don’t know anyone?’
‘Why would anyone want to listen to me?’
‘I’m not important.’
My advice is to take a deep breath, then approach people and introduce yourself. Sure it will be awkward, but it is better than missing the opportunity. If in the first few minutes of introducing yourself, the person does not say much, feel free to excuse yourself. It is not rude to walk away politely if the conversation is forced and the answers you receive are short.
And if you’re stuck, here are some icebreakers to think about:
- After introductions, ask them (if you are at the symposium) what sessions they will be attending
- Follow on with the question – what kind of services do your organisation offer?
- If they are wearing something interesting, comment on it. You just never know where it will take you.
So there you go. Just some networking strategies to think about. Maybe you have your own, why not share these with us! I’m really excited and can’t wait to meet you all at NLS6!