As a newer MLIS student, I’m pretty excited to attend the NJLA conference this year because it will be my first library-focused conference. I can’t wait to go to the poster sessions, check out the programming, and see the exhibitors. But what I’m most excited about is networking.
One of my favorite parts of library school so far has been talking with working library professionals and finding out what they do, and why they love what they do. Everyone I’ve met has been enthusiastic about sharing and “converting” new librarians. It’s also been helpful to get informal advising about coursework. What kinds of skills do they expect new graduate applicants to have? How can classes help to fill those competencies?
In addition to networking, these are the sessions I want to check out:
- Tuesday, 9-9:50: Giving college-bound students a head-start
- Tuesday, 10-10:50: Digital libraries 2013
- Tuesday, 2-2:50: Reaching online learners
- Tuesday, 4-4:50: Connecting to collections
- Tuesday, 5-6: New librarian & student meet up
- Wednesday, 9-9:50: Three strategies for engaging students in learning information literacy
- Wednesday, 9-11: Technology innovation forum
- Wednesday, 10:10-11: Assessing unique academic populations
- Wednesday, 2:30-3:20: ACRL National and You
- Wednesday, 3:30-4:20: Redefining the Faculty-Librarian Relationship
What are you looking forward to at the conference?
Jen Hunter
jah123 @ camden.rutgers.edu