The spring semester is over, and with it, so am I. My last papers are turned in, my grades have been submitted (and posted), and soon, I’ll have a diploma in hand.
But first, an entry.
I never did write about the ArLis conference, and granted, there’s too much there to attempt to shove everything into a single entry.
But I will say this: the conference was fantastic. It covered so much ground: technology, visual resources, art, libraries…
In one panel, it was discussed if art in libraries was not a dying breed, and by getting involved with visual resources, we need to expand our understanding of what visual means, and not also include such things as medical libraries and science libraries and public libraries. Back in the fall semester, I had written an article on Banned Books week, talking about a display case my town’s public library had. Is this not an example of visual resources? Are the videos and images used in the medical industry not also visual resources? Next year’s conference (in Minneapolis, MN), is being co-sponsored by the Visual Resources Association, and I’m looking forward to a continuation of this discussion.
Saturday’s (AR)Tea Party was fantastic. With personal highlights being the “Private Performace” piece – pair of headphones attached to a trombone, which you wear, therefore being the only person able to hear the performance, a humbling, powerful, and immensely satisfying experience – and the Echo Chamber at the entrance.
We learned about the Google Book Project, and how this will determine the future of publishing, copyright, as well as libraries.
We were able to schmooze with library celebrities. It was singularly one of the best professional experiences I’ve had in library school.
I only wish I could say more. I hope to see everyone at the conference next year in Minneapolis.
I want to thank everyone for the past year. Thank you for reading. Thank you for participating in Panopticon – for coming to our meetings and our events, and helping make this one little club a success.
I’ve enjoyed this past year, being your Blogger. I only hope you’ve enjoyed it as well, this haphazard rag-tag semblance of entries of what struck my fancy and interest every week, mixed with the important bits of club news.
I’ve finished. Not just as your Blogger, but with the program. But the Blog will continue, and I know next year’s blogger will do her best to continue the tradition, to bring you great and exciting news in the art and library world.
So, here’s to passing the torch.
Thank you, really.
Good night, and good luck.