Iowa Librarians Attend Computers in Libraries 2008

The State Library of Iowa, through the Staying Connected grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation presented an opportunity for 62 Iowa public library staff to attend the Computers in Libraries 2008 Conference with all expenses paid. The conference was April 7-9, 2008 in Arlington, VA.

The conference theme, Innovative Change: Integrating High Tech with High Touch, focused on how libraries excel when technology advancements match the people capabilities. It is the "most comprehensive conference for library and information professionals interested in technology to discover insights, strategies, and practices that will allow us to manage computers, libraries, digital information, and people in a cohesive, exciting, and productive way."

The Staying Connected grant allows the State Library to provide technical and consulting support to librarians in maintaining the computers, and to train librarians in helping the public increase their computer searching skills.  Sending Iowa public library staff to the Computers in Libraries 2008 Conference helped fulfill this part of the grant.

One attendee said, "This was a great opportunity for a librarian from a small library to attend a national conference. I will never forget it. Thanks so much for the opportunity to make my library great."

Marie Harms, State Library Consultant, also attended the conference.