Saturday was a long day, beginning at 8:00 and not ending until 9:30 when we returned to the hotel. I found the plenary opening session enlightening and sobering. Michael Adams is a Canadian social scientist and researcher who has published a lot about the differences between Americans and Canadians, focusing on social values. Being a bleeding heart liberal, I found myself pretty much in agreement with the Canadian psyche and not in step with my fellow Americans. I know that his power point presentation will be on the ALADN website, so you can see some of the points that he made in his presentation entitled Fire & Ice, which is also the name of one of his recent books.
There were several other high points during the day for me—I really identified with Michael Ridley, CIO and Chief Librarian at the University of Guelph. He is guiding the library to the concept of The Academic Town Square—bringing the university and community into the library as much as possible for speaker for a, book readings and signings, art presentations, class meetings, etc—and not tucking these events off in some quiet corner but putting them in the busiest part of the library. He described the atmosphere of the library, especially the first floor, as some what akin to a circus. Of course, this is exactly how I would like to see Joyner evolve—and I am even more committed to trying to bring art and other activities into our Library. We have to bring our community—and especially our faculty and administrators into the Library, or we will surely become a backwater.
The last presentation of the day provided an opportunity to hear from the Dean of the Library at the University of South Florida, Derrie Perez, and her development officer talk about an opportunity they were presented about five years ago. An alumnus and her husband offered the library a planned gift of their multi-million dollar medieval manuscripts and incunabula collection. The library neither had the staff and resource much less the building to accept the collection—but working over time with the University administration and the donors, they were finally able to accept the collection. The University has committed both its research and facility dollars to the collection and the donors have committed to helping fund an endowment and bring others in to assist. A win/win for all. Reminds me of a similar problem we are facing with the possibility of acquiring the Wright collection. It will take equal planning and organization on the part of the University and the Library if we are to acquire that collection—and I don’t know that the will is there.
Sunday morning’s session was dedicated to one presenter—Penelope Burk who spoke on Donor Center Development. She has some powerful arguments backed up with extensive and long term research to support her premise that the most important aspects of development are acknowledgment and information. After listening to her, I am convinced that we have to begin calling our donors and engaging them and providing them information on what their gifts are doing for the University and its students. Bought her book to bring back to share with the Library.
Sue and I spent Sunday afternoon hiking along the Bow River. I lack the words to really describe the grandeur and beauty of the place—of course, we are sharing Banff this weekend (Victoria Day) with half of Alberta and thousands of other people from around the world—seem to be a lot of Australians and Japanese, but there are many others represented. You can see some of the pictures we took at Springtime in Banff. After the conference, we will spend the next four days traveling through Banff National Park, looking at the scenery, animals, and especially the glaciers.
Before Cynthia & Wayne left on Monday afternoon, we all had High Tea in the Rundle Lounge. An experience for all of us. The Monday morning sessions provided information on the new ARL Spec Kit on Development, which we need to acquire and the stories of three libraries that have been successful in getting corporate grants—from the Gates and Kresge foundations. Again, I think we need to expand into those areas.
There were several other high points during the day for me—I really identified with Michael Ridley, CIO and Chief Librarian at the University of Guelph. He is guiding the library to the concept of The Academic Town Square—bringing the university and community into the library as much as possible for speaker for a, book readings and signings, art presentations, class meetings, etc—and not tucking these events off in some quiet corner but putting them in the busiest part of the library. He described the atmosphere of the library, especially the first floor, as some what akin to a circus. Of course, this is exactly how I would like to see Joyner evolve—and I am even more committed to trying to bring art and other activities into our Library. We have to bring our community—and especially our faculty and administrators into the Library, or we will surely become a backwater.
The last presentation of the day provided an opportunity to hear from the Dean of the Library at the University of South Florida, Derrie Perez, and her development officer talk about an opportunity they were presented about five years ago. An alumnus and her husband offered the library a planned gift of their multi-million dollar medieval manuscripts and incunabula collection. The library neither had the staff and resource much less the building to accept the collection—but working over time with the University administration and the donors, they were finally able to accept the collection. The University has committed both its research and facility dollars to the collection and the donors have committed to helping fund an endowment and bring others in to assist. A win/win for all. Reminds me of a similar problem we are facing with the possibility of acquiring the Wright collection. It will take equal planning and organization on the part of the University and the Library if we are to acquire that collection—and I don’t know that the will is there.
Sunday morning’s session was dedicated to one presenter—Penelope Burk who spoke on Donor Center Development. She has some powerful arguments backed up with extensive and long term research to support her premise that the most important aspects of development are acknowledgment and information. After listening to her, I am convinced that we have to begin calling our donors and engaging them and providing them information on what their gifts are doing for the University and its students. Bought her book to bring back to share with the Library.
Sue and I spent Sunday afternoon hiking along the Bow River. I lack the words to really describe the grandeur and beauty of the place—of course, we are sharing Banff this weekend (Victoria Day) with half of Alberta and thousands of other people from around the world—seem to be a lot of Australians and Japanese, but there are many others represented. You can see some of the pictures we took at Springtime in Banff. After the conference, we will spend the next four days traveling through Banff National Park, looking at the scenery, animals, and especially the glaciers.
Before Cynthia & Wayne left on Monday afternoon, we all had High Tea in the Rundle Lounge. An experience for all of us. The Monday morning sessions provided information on the new ARL Spec Kit on Development, which we need to acquire and the stories of three libraries that have been successful in getting corporate grants—from the Gates and Kresge foundations. Again, I think we need to expand into those areas.
