20th Annual ILL Conference: May 10, 2011
Conference presenters Patricia Martin and George Needham.
The 20th Annual Minitex ILL Conference was held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 on the University of
Minnesota's St. Paul Campus. The keynote presentation was provided by Patricia Martin, CEO and
founder of LitLamp Communications, a marketing and communications boutique acclaimed for using
culture as a medium to connect brands with communities of consumers. The second morning speaker
was Minitex's own Bill DeJohn who presented on the topic of "Resource Sharing: Perspectives on
the Future." The afternoon presentation was provided by George Needham, Vice President for Global
and Regional Councils at OCLC. He talked about the Perceptions of Libraries Report that
was published in 2010.
The day's sessions were attended by 160 staff representing all types of libraries. Feedback on
the three speakers was very favorable and the conference was a great success.
Presentation Slides
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Patricia Martin – "Why the Future Needs Libraries"
Martin's presentation, "Why the Future Needs Libraries," challenged attendees to plan with courage
for libraries that will be centered on the needs and expectations of the user and continue to be
relevant (and that users will "LIKE") in a future that's yet to be defined.
Bill DeJohn – "Resource Sharing: Perspectives on the Future"
DeJohn described the growth and development of Minitex, noting that the 40th Anniversary of Minitex
as a legislatively funded program will be celebrated during Fiscal Year 2012, which begins July 1,
2011. He outlined Minitex's current programs and discussed current challenges facing both Minitex
participating libraries and the Minitex staff.
Listen to Bill DeJohn's presentation while viewing his slides using the built-in video player below.
George Needham – "Perceptions of Libraries"
Needham presented the results of OCLC's new study, while comparing and contrasting its findings with
those of a similar study done in 2005. Needham noted that the intervening five years have brought
change (for example, users are less trusting of online information and technology has provided
options that have changed how and what people read) and continuity (libraries continue to be regarded
as important and the brand for libraries is "books"). Needham challenged the audience to meet the
challenges of the present and the future and to provide services that add value for library users.