MPLA 2000 CONFERENCE REPORT

Linda Deacy

MPLA Representative

MPLA joined with the Nebraska Library Association and the Nebraska Educational Media Association for a tri-conference held in Omaha, Nebraska October 24 - 28, 2000. The tri-conference Associations were also joined by the White House Conference on Library and Information Service Taskforce (WHCLIST).

 

MPLA began the conference on October 24 with a day-long planning meeting. The MPLA Executive Board has spent the past year in a long range planning process and the draft long-range plan was finalized for presentation to the MPLA membership later in the week.

 

The conference was well attended with nearly 1100 registrants, including 84 vendors and 30 non-profit exhibitors. Exhibitors included the library schools from the University of Arizona, Emporia Kansas, and the University of Illinois. Featured speakers included Steve Coffman from LSSI who spoke on “Clicks and Mortars,” David Shenk who spoke on “Data Smog,” and Jym Kruse who spoke on “Well-Traveled Seeds.” The featured speakers for Saturday’s Golden Sower Awards (comparable to our NYRA) were Joan Lowery Nixon.

 

With 3 pre-conferences, daily programs from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM and special Saturday programs by WHCLIST, there were programs for every interest. Tours included InfoUSA, the Joslyn Art Museum, Boys Town, and several area libraries. Join MPLA next year for its joint conference with the Arizona Library Association, December 4-7, 2001 in Phoenix.

News About MPLA

Linda Deacy

MPLA Representative.

Beginning in April 2000, the Executive Board initiated a long-range planning process intended to revitalize the Association. The process included a day-long visioning and brainstorming session in July and then a day-long session on October 24 to finalize a document for presentation to MPLA members. On October 27, 2000 the MPLA general meeting adopted, in principle, a four-year plan, a vision statement, and a mission statement. On October 28, the MPLA Executive Board accepted the plan for adoption.

 

The mission statement: MPLA promotes the development of librarians and libraries by providing significant educational and networking opportunities. The goals encompass continuing education for members, formal educational opportunities, intellectual freedom support, enhanced communication, strengthening partnerships, utilizing technology, political issues, and administration of the Association. For full details of the plan, please access the MPLA website at http://www.usd.edu/mpla.

 

Nevada winners of free one-year memberships in MPLA are: Salvador Avila, Las Vegas; Jeanne Munk, Lovelock; Kathie Brinkerhoff, Reno; Sally Kinsey, Reno; Barbara Talbot, Reno; Martha Betcher, Gardnerville; Stephen Fitt, Las Vegas; Betsy Johnson, Henderson; Wendy Starkweather, Las Vegas; Jennifer Schimmelpfennig, Minden. Congratulations and welcome to MPLA.