-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Update: Living the Future Early Bird Registration Extended
   Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 13:36:59 -0700
   From: "Bezanson, Liz" <bezansonl@U.LIBRARY.ARIZONA.EDU>

     NOTE:The  Early Bird Registration fee of $280 will be extended
     to April 8

     The University
     of Arizona Library
     will host an
     international
     conference on
     organizational
     change, "Living the
     Future 4:
     Collaboratively
     Speaking." It will
     focus on how
     libraries can be
     effective, creative,
     and user focused.

     The conference will
     examine team
     structures and
     accomplishments at
     the University of
     Arizona Library and
     other libraries
     around the country
     that are in the
     process of
     implementing new
     structures to better
     prepare for the
     future.

     "There has been a
     continuing interest
     in our
     organizational
     developments since
     we reorganized into teams in 1992," says Carla Stoffle, Dean
     of Libraries. "It is important for our library to share our
     story, both the from the successes and the challenges. Also,
     we need to learn from each other. Many other libraries are now
     involved in reorganization processes, taking different paths,
     having different experiences."

     The first day will focus on developments at the University
     of Arizona Library since the previous international
     conference, "Living the Future 3: Telling our Stories, Sharing
     our Visions, 2000." Library teams will present organizational
     efforts initiated to cope with technology change. Other topics
     include partnerships with faculty on scholarly communication
     issues, the integration of information literacy across the
     curriculum, and the evaluation of reference services in the
     virtual environment.

     Other highlights include collaboration across team, local and
     regional boundaries, and the challenges of anticipating and
     meeting higher expectations of users in a fluid and
     increasingly electronic environment. Progress in designing and
     implementing performance measurement, compensation, and reward
     systems will be featured, and there will also be presentations
     and discussions on efforts to reach diverse audiences and how
     to make the library welcoming for students from diverse
     backgrounds.

     On the second day, other creative organizational initiatives
     will be shared by invitees from a wide range of libraries,
     including EmoryUniversity, University of Nevada in Las
     Vegas, BrownUniversity, GeorgeWashingtonUniversity, University
     of Connecticut and the University ofVirginia. Presenters will
     focus on changes and challenges inherent in reorganization
     efforts to assess and improve services. Both days will include
     panel presentations, invited speakers, community dialogues,
     and poster sessions.

     On Saturday, April 27, participants will come to
     the University of Arizona campus, tour the new Integrated
     Learning Center/Information Commons, and the renovated Special
     Collections. The focus will be on the special challenges in
     serving customers in a digital world. Such
     challenges include how to staff new spaces to support learning
     technologies, partner with campus units, develop consortia,
     recruit, and train for skills to serve the new generation of
     customers.

     On Wednesday, April 24, the following pre-conference workshops
     will be offered:

     * Library Project Planning: Learn how to use an integrated
     problem-solving model to manage a project to its successful
     conclusion; learn how to use tools such as Gantt charts, and
     to apply new skills and concepts to a real and specific
     project.

     * Advanced Facilitation Skills: This laboratory allows
     intensive practice for experienced facilitators. Participants
     in this lab will work in small groups and receive feedback on
     their facilitation, communication, and group process skills.
     Of specific focus will be overcoming group and organizational
     dysfunction, surfacing and testing assumptions, and building
     shared meaning.

     * Conducting User Surveys in Academic Libraries: Presents the,
     basic concepts and steps in conducting a user survey,
     including defining objectives, sampling, measurement scales,
     logistics, data analysis and report writing.

     * Constructive Dialogue: Using the constructive dialogue model
     will improve participants' abilities to have honest and
     meaningful conversations, even during difficult situations.
     Using their own and others' experiences, participants will
     practice the steps required to develop successful and
     productive working relationships.

     Conference accommodations are at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and
     Suites, a recently remodeled garden hotel. The hotel provides
     a buffet breakfast to all registered guests and includes
     amenities such as a swimming pool, restaurant and lounge.
     While the conference provides intense learning opportunities,
     the conference schedule also permits exchanges that are more
     informal in the relaxed atmosphere of the Sheraton Tucson.
     Rooms should be reserved early by calling the hotel directly.