We live in interesting times. From experts, pundits, and next-door neighbors, we hear that the future of academic libraries is  uncertain, that the future of higher education itself is uncertain, and that libraries in general are in crisis. Faced with this narrative, it is tempting to change who we are and what we do in order to remain relevant, and to demonstrate our value to our schools and communities.

We must realize, however, that it is precisely who we are – and who we have always been – that makes us even more relevant and valuable in the face of changing times. We are committed to creating informed, literate citizens; to advocating for free speech and access to knowledge; and to creating spaces where intellectual curiosity and individual expression are welcomed and fostered. Our tools, techniques, and buildings may have changed, but our core identity remains – and remains vital to our communities. We must not change who we are; we need only change how we communicate our value.

Join us for two days of conversation about the value and importance of academic libraries in these interesting times. You’ll leave energized, inspired, and with some good ideas about new ways to share your library’s story.

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The Fall Conference is a two-day, single-track opportunity to learn more about academic libraries in the region, meet colleagues, and discuss key issues of our profession. The conference is . Our fabulous keynote speakers this year will be Barbara Fister and Char Booth, with a special session featuring the Center for Social Media.

Opening Keynote: Librarians as Agents of Change
Barbara Fister is coordinator of instruction at the Gustavus Adolphus College Library. In addition to course-related instruction, she teaches an upper-division IL course, and courses on books and reading. Her interests include information literacy, the future of publishing, and popular literacy. She writes regularly for Library Journal and Inside Higher Ed and is the author of three mysteries.

Closing Keynote: Revaluing Libraries: Content, Container, or Concept?
Char Booth is an early riser, devoted oceanite, and advocate of radical neutrality. Char Booth explores the integration of education, research, technology, and design in libraries. Char is the Instruction Services Manager and E-Learning Librarian at the Claremont Colleges, and is on the faculty of the ACRL Information Literacy Immersion Institute. An ALA Emerging Leader and Library Journal Mover and Shaker, Char blogs at info-mational and tweets @charbooth.

Her publications include Reflective Teaching, Effective Learning: Instructional Literacy for Library Educators (ALA Editions, 2011) and Informing Innovation: Tracking Student Interest in Emerging Library Technologies (ACRL, 2009). Char received a BA in History from Reed College in 2001; an MSIS from the UT Austin School of Information in 2005, and a Master of Computer Education and Technology from Ohio University in 2008.

For complete conference details, please visit our conference webpage