ACRL New England Chapter News Online

Winter 2002, No. 95

In This Issue:

Fall Conference Report

Introducing LOCI

Unheard Voices

Continuing Ed. Committee Program Report

Announcements:

ITIG Spring Program

PCIG Spring Program

WSIG Spring Program

ACRL/Harvard Leadership Institute

NETSL Spring Program

Music Library Assoc. Annual Meeting

Nijhoff Study Grant

Return to Masthead

Helena Rodrigues
Johnson & Wales University

The ACRL/NEC Fall Conference took place on November 9, 2001 at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The theme of this year's event was Core Values: Anchors in a Sea of Change, which featured the discussion on topics such as library service with respect for the individuality and the diversity of all people, excellence in professional service, preserving the human record, and the formation of partnerships to advance core values.

Welcoming remarks were given by Dawn Thistle, president of ACRL/NEC; Helena Rodrigues, vice president and conference organizer; and Sharon Bostick, Director of Libraries, UMASS Boston.

The first speaker was Shelley Quezada, Consultant for Library Services to the Unserved of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Her presentation entitled, Nothing about Us without Us: Planning Library Services for People with Disabilities, an Inclusive Process, described services to diverse populations including legal aspects, ALA initiatives, assistive technology, library resources, special accommodations, and strategies in the planning process for special users.

Excellence in professional service was presented by Maureen Sheridan, Director of Institutional Advancement, Providence Public Library this year's recipient of the 2001 National Award for Library Service. Maureen explained how and why PPL was honored as an outstanding library that made significant and exceptional contributions to its community while demonstrating extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, reaching beyond the expected levels of community outreach and core programs generally associated with library services. The main qualification for selection is community service, as demonstrated by the library's ongoing commitment, at every level, to its community.

The highlight of the conference was the address, A Light on the Darkling Plain: Core Values 2001, given by GraceAnne DeCandido, renowned author, editor and consultant. She eloquently expressed her views on the core values of librarianship interspersed with quotations from historical figures such as Julian of Norwich, St. Theresa of Avila, and President Bill Clinton. GraceAnne distributed a handout including book and web site references for her address.

After lunch Barbara Canyes, Executive Director of Massachusetts Campus Compact, spoke about Civic Engagement Today & Tomorrow: Critical Issues in a Changing World. She explained the creation and efforts of this organization which has representation on many college and university campuses across the United States. The main objective of Campus Compact is to encourage and develop community service as part of the higher education experience.

The next speaker was James Roth, Archivist at the John F. Kennedy Library, who presented: The Past as Memory for the Future: Preserving America's Political and Cultural Heritage at the John F. Kennedy Library. James discussed the mission and goals of the JFK Library, its history, current activities, and his own work as archivist of the Ernest Hemingway Collection. This last presentation prepared the group for the culminating activity of the conference, the tour of the JFK Library featuring the special exhibition, Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years. This exhibition marked the 40th Anniversary of Jacqueline Kennedy's as America's first lady, and featured 80 original costumes and accessories as well as documents, photographs, film and objects associated with Mrs. Kennedy's work on White House restoration, historic preservation, and the arts.

At the end of the Conference, participants were asked to complete a form evaluating the day's events, including the accommodations, food, topics, and speakers. Suggestions for future topics, speakers and conference sites are also requested. Based on this information, ACRL/NEC will continue to offer the best possible programming to academic librarians of New England.