2016 ATLA Annual Conference Wrap Up
July 08, 2016
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Submitted by Denise McFarlin, Meeting Specialist
The 2016 ATLA Annual Conference, California Dreamin’: Transformation and Innovation in ATLA Libraries, was held in Long Beach, California, June 15-18. Attracting over 300 members, exhibitors, and international guests, the conference was a tremendous success. With the help of the local host committee, Southern California Theological Librarians Association (SCATLA), we were definitely “California Dreamin’” – the conference provided everyone with great programming, speakers, and excursions that only complimented our picturesque surroundings. Our Local Hosts did a wonderful job on all of the ideas and events that were implemented for our conference attendees.
Held at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach Hotel, the location simply enhanced our conference experience. It was in a truly wonderful walkable area that allowed our members to explore a variety of areas, including a vast array of restaurants, cultural activities, and, of course, all of the ocean, beach, and palm trees that your eyes could feast upon. The two hour opening reception was held in the hotel’s Seaveiw Rotunda and outdoor pool patio, giving space for members to visit with friends and colleagues throughout the evening. Wednesday was also packed with a full day of workshops and tours of the Huntington Library and The Getty Center. Other excursions included a Beer Hop around Long Beach, and in ATLA tradition, a Friday night baseball game at the Dodgers Stadium. Worship was held in the Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Pentecostal traditions. And, as always, the hosted dinner excursions were well attended. Click here to see pictures from some of the activities at the conference.
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Bobby Smiley
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Dr, Rahuldeep Gill
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Jeffrey MacKie-Mason
A new highlight of the conference was breakfast with the exhibitors each day. Members had the opportunity to hear updates on ATLA products or OCLC products at special breakfast events, as well. Our opening keynote speaker was Bobby Smiley, formerly Digital Scholarship and American History Librarian at the Michigan State University Libraries, currently, the Religion and Theology Librarian at Vanderbilt University. On Thursday, we had an all-conference lunch hosted by the Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which provided a round-table forum for sharing experiences and discussing ideas about bringing cultural change in an open-minded and hospitable environment. Friday’s morning Plenary Speaker was by Rahuldeep Gill, renowned diversity consultant and speaker who gave us the charge: How Can ATLA Transform Diversity into Inclusivity to Drive Innovation? Our Saturday Closing Event was presented by Jeffrey MacKie-Mason, UC Berkeley’s University Librarian and Chief Digital Scholarship Officer. I cannot omit the fact that this year the Board of Directors of ATLA presented major Bylaws changes that consumed us each Thursday and Friday afternoon. With the attentiveness and commitment of our members the Bylaws were passed within the allotted time frame. The time allotted for the Association Update, including a moment to honor who had passed away (ATLA Remembers), was shortened to accommodated for the Bylaws Discussion. In lieu of an Association Update presentation, an infographic with key measures was shared with members present.
With over one hundred additional papers, conversation groups, workshops, interest groups, panels, listen and learns, pre-conference workshops, poster sessions, exhibitor showcases, denominational meetings, diverse worship services, and committee/regional group lunches, it is safe to say that the 2016 ATLA Annual Conference, once again, provided something for everyone.
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone that contributed to the overall success of our conference: the Conference Committee members, the Board of Directors, our speakers, presiders, regional, denominational, and interest group members, ATLA staff, and all the ATLA members who make me feel extremely proud to be a part of this great association. I feel extremely fortunate, privileged, and grateful.
And as always, we are already planning our next ATLA conference. Join us in Atlanta, Georgia, June 14-17, 2017, for Southern Harmony, The Human Touch in the Digital Age, hosted by the following institutions: Columbia Theological Seminary, Pitts Theology Library-Candler School of Theology-Emory University, Erskine Theological Seminary, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center-The Interdenominational Theological Center, and Mercer University-McAfee School of Theology at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia Hotel. The Conference Committee will launch the proposal form soon, so stay tuned for further details via the 2017 conference website and in other future communications.
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