Identifying Subject-Specific Conferences as Professional Development Opportunities for the Academic Librarian

• Published in: The Journal of academic librarianship Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 583 - 590
• Main Authors: Tomaszewski, Robert, MacDonald, Karen I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.11.2009; Elsevier; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Academic Libraries; Career Development; Conferences; Conferences (Gatherings); Educational Opportunities; Exact sciences and technology; Expertise; Information and communication sciences; Information Needs; Information science. Documentation; Intellectual Disciplines; Knowledge Level; Librarians; Library and information science. General aspects; Library Services; Lifelong Learning; Professional aspects; Professional aspects : training, employment; Professional development; Reference Services; Sciences and techniques of general use; Congress; Continuing education; Professional development; Occupational training; Information professional
• ISSN: 0099-1333; 1879-1999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2009.08.006

A major challenge facing academic libraries is the need for reference librarians to become knowledge experts in their assigned subject areas. The subject-specialist approach increases the effectiveness of collection development, classroom instruction, and faculty liaison interactions. Simultaneously, this approach creates the need for continuous learning opportunities. Conferences organized around academic disciplines provide a direct connection to subject-specific information as well as opportunities for meeting people who share common interests. With the increase in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and research, the authors argue that attending subject-specific conferences is the best way to keep up with information needs in various fields. This article reviews the benefits of attending academic conferences and discusses five strategies for selecting an appropriate subject conference in any discipline. First-person accounts of conference experiences illustrate these benefits.