of the Iowa Library Association
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Government Documents Roundtable
of the Iowa Library Association |
DOCUMENTS ROUNDTABLE NEWS
Number 79, December 2007
I can't believe the last three years have gone by so quickly, but alas, they have and my tenure as an ILA GODORT officer is coming to an end. I have really enjoyed working with all of the various members of GODORT's Executive Board and I am proud that we have continued to expand upon our mission of promoting document library service. It's been a good year. I was pleased with the turnout at the summer workshop and the GODORT sponsored session at the annual ILA conference. Another positive development that has recently transpired is the Executive Board's decision to increase the funding to the ILA-GODORT-sponsored Federal Depository Library Conference Award. I would like to extend my thanks to the ILA GODORT membership; the positive developments that we have experienced would not be possible without your participation in the subdivision.
On a personal note, I would like to add that GODORT was the first professional committee work that I have ever been involved with in any capacity. Like any foreign experience in life, I entered it on a large learning curve and with a little bit of hesitation. I want to encourage all of the members of the Iowa library community to participate in ILA board work; I have truly gained a greater understanding of our profession as a result of this opportunity.
Cory Quist, Chair
State Law Library of Iowa
cory.quist@lib.state.ia.us
Tom Keyser, Chair
State Library of Iowa
tom.keyser@lib.state.ia.us
Mariann Mason, Vice Chair/Chair Elect
University of Iowa Libraries
marianne-mason@uiowa.edu
Greg Wool, Secretary/Treasurer
Iowa State University
gwool@iastate.edu
Let's face it…sometimes it's not easy to keep up the enthusiasm. Each of us has a host of responsibilities, bombardment of email, project deadlines, unexpected assignments and interruptions that are the natural part of worklife in libraries. We are often so pressed for time that it's easy to forget the value and purpose of what we do. Frankly, it's easy to become jaded. What a luxury to have extended uninterrupted time to be immersed in a learning environment that provides direct benefits in the workplace for improved services and the basis for more informed decisions; where colleagues share a similar purpose for learning and share similar concerns.
The planets may have aligned for Iowa library staff with government information responsibilities! The Spring '08 Federal Depository Conference will be held in Kansas City, MO from March 31st through April 2nd. The FDLP Conference and Council meeting are open to everyone, and there is no registration fee. The programs provide Federal depository library staff, information professionals, and all others interested in Federal Government information dissemination the opportunity to stay current with Federal Depository Library Program activities, provide input into the planning process, and exchange ideas among colleagues. Since K.C. is within driving distance, the conference will be a fairly inexpensive conference to attend. With the increased funding available through the GODORT FDLP Conference Award (up to $1,000) the Spring Conference is completely funded for the award recipient.
Attendees can expect to attend subject-based educational sessions; participate in focus groups to improve GPO/FDLP products and services; have the opportunity to pose questions to GPO staff and Depository Council members; participate in individual conversations with GPO staff; and network with colleagues outside of structured sessions. To gain the most value from the Conference, attending the full three days is ideal—immersed uninterrupted time.
Knowledge gained through any FDL Conference increases understanding of how national policy goals can be implemented in local libraries. However, the most valuable benefit of attending is learning that we have colleagues who face similar challenges and that a network is in place to lend support—and to provide inspiration.
Marianne Mason
marianne-mason@uiowa.edu
Federal Documents Coordinator and Regional Librarian
The University of Iowa Libraries
A GODORT business meeting was held at ILA Annual Conference in Coralville, Iowa on October 12, 2007. Minutes of this and other business meetings can be accessed at the GODORT website at this page: http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/govpubs/ilagodort/minutes/index.html.
Please send comments about this website to: brett-cloyd@uiowa.edu
This Page Last Updated:
Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008