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We are developing the ALA salon for members discussion on significant topics and we are working on a schedule for live online conversations with ALA leaders. |
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Like European discussion salons, the ALA Connections Salon will provide an online environment for members to participate in formal and informal discussions centered on a specific topic. The salons will take place on OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries), a user-friendly site offering online rooms where participants can interact via voice-over-IP, text chatting, synchronized browsing and other functions. | ||
The sessions will take place monthly on Friday’s, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and will run for approximately one hour. OPAL Coordinator Tom Peters will open each ALA Salon by interviewing special guests invited for their knowledge of that salon’s topic. Following each interview, participants will be free to ask questions and engage with presenters and with one another about professional topics of interest. | ||
A pilot salon will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 15, 2008. During this pilot salon Peters will interview his collaborators on this project, Genevieve S. Owens (Williamsburg Regional Library, Va.) and Karen G. Schneider (Equinox Software, Inc.). To join the discussion, log onto OPAL and follow the instructions for entering the meeting space. Click here for detailed instructions. Participants are encouraged to sign in 15 minutes prior to the start of the salon for a quick tour of OPAL. It’s been said it’s as easy as renewing a library book! Future salon dates and topics are: |
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| 2008 September 26 Presidential Connections (An interview with Jim Rettig) October 17 Kid Connections (Pat Scales, ALSC president) November 21 Political Connections December 19 Gaming Connections |
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2009 February 20 ALA Connections |
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So mark your calendars for these relaxed, free-flowing discussions for ALA members, beginning with Friday, August 15, 2008! |
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| Please watch this page for additional information as this initiative ripens. | ||