[Asis-l] Virtual Reference Desk 2003 Conference

[VRD Conference]

ROUNDUP TIME IN SAN ANTONIO APPROACHES FOR VIRTUAL REFERENCE PROS


Grab your rope and saddle, round up time is here---The Reference Roundup,
that is!


There are only a few weeks left to get the early-bird registration rate
for
this year's Virtual Reference Desk Conference, "Reference Roundup," to be
held November 17 and 18 at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk Hotel in beautiful
San Antonio, Texas.


The conference will feature more than 50 programs dealing with planning,
implementing, managing, and marketing virtual reference programs. The
keynote speaker for this year's conference is Dr. Robert Martin, director
of
the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), who will provide an
update on what's happening with the Library Services and Technology Act
(LSTA) and other issues in Washington.


The annual VRD Conference has earned its reputation as the premiere event
for digital reference information and products. The conference
consistently
attracts recognized leaders in the reference information field. The event
hosts over 500 library and information professionals from the United
States
and abroad by offering sessions on reference service management, resource
development, current technologies, vendor product demonstrations, and
more.
The VRD Conference delivers practical solutions, management practices and
tools, and the latest research in a congenial atmosphere that promises to
be
lively, thought provoking and informative. So rustle up your co-workers,
and
we hope to see y'all in November. Ten-gallon hats are optional.


The preconference, on Sunday, November 16, will feature Chuck McClure,
Dave
Lankes, Joe Janes, and Buff Hirko (a veritable "Wild Bunch" on virtual
reference) on "Management Strategies for Digital Reference Services:
Practical Approaches." The workshop has the following objectives:


        *       Provide specific practical strategies for how to design,
implement, and manage digital reference services;
        *       Explore a range of successful management practices that
can
be modified for use in participants' libraries;
        *       Introduce participants to leaders in digital reference
management and to their strategies and techniques;
        *       Offer a forum for participants to share ideas,
suggestions,
and discussions with colleagues and instructors.


Christie Koontz, director of the GeoLib Program at Florida State
University,
will present the postconference on Wednesday, November 19. Titled
"Marketing
Digital and Other Reference Services:  First Stop, Not Last Resort!" this
half day program is designed to introduce the fundamental concepts of
marketing, and the practical steps in any successful marketing plan.
Participants will identify marketing activities in their organization,
write
a mission statement, identify strengths and weaknesses, and generally
debunk
the myths of marketing.


The Virtual Reference Desk Conference is a joint project of the Virtual
Reference Desk Project at the Information Institute at Syracuse University
(sponsored by the United States Department of Education) and the OCLC
Institute.


Register now at <http://www.vrd2003.org/>. You can also find more
information at that address. But don't wait too long---we don't want any
strays out there on the range. And of course, it will be easy to "Remember
the Alamo!" It's right across from our hotel!