Emerging Technologies Section (ETS)
by
Geoffrey Morse, Editor
Greetings, all!
This year has flown by in a whirl of events, discussions, brainstorming, experiments, and
realigning as the Emerging Technology Section works to continue our active support of techsavvy
and tech-interested public service librarians and find new ways to serve our members and
our profession.
I’d like to extend a personal thank you to everyone who voted for our bylaws changes in the
recent election! By replacing our Member-at-Large positions with three new roles, we’re able to
implement a more flexible structure, have clearer expectations for each elected role, and give
interested leaders new opportunities to serve. I’m excited to share that in addition to our newly
elected Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect Geoffrey Morse and Secretary Rachael Cohen. Christina Pryor
will be filling the role of RUSA Board representative. Her new role will provide RUSA with a
consistent ETS voice during her three-year term. Our current Members-at-Large have agreed to
take on new roles as well! Shannon Jones will serve as Professional Development Director
through June of 2019, and Jessica Cerny will serve as Member Engagement Director. We are
eager to remain nimble and responsive to the needs of RUSA and our members, and we
believe this new structure will help! For more on our 2018-2019 changes, see the
announcement below.
I hope to see many of you at ALA Annual next month. ETS has an exciting lineup of events,
including a new Membership Meeting. This will be a fantastic opportunity to get to know ETS
and help us develop our plans for the coming year, so we hope you’ll join us! I’m personally
excited about our program, which will feature two different but wildly successful tech projects.
You’ll be equipped with practical tips for managing your own tech projects, and our presenters
will give you their best insights into making tech projects work from concept to conclusion in
public and academic libraries. And if you’re free Monday afternoon, stop by our Hot Topics
discussion about the latest trends and tech experiences at your library!
As always, please contact me any time with questions, suggestions, or comments at
beth.boatright@ipfw.edu.
Beth Boatright,
ETS Chair 2017-2018
New Member Opportunities as ETS Grows
You know us for fantastic discussion groups about hot topics and engaging programs about
leadership, systems, and user experience. Now ETS is bringing a revitalized structure and slate
of committees together to focus on what we love: equipping public-service librarians to
implement tech-savvy solutions that work for all kinds of libraries and users.
Read more about how ETS is changing and learn about our exciting new Tech Showcase and
BETA committee here!
Join ETS at ALA Annual
Make it so: Insights into successful leadership of emerging tech programs –
Sunday, 10:30 AM, MCC 285
Launching a technology related project can involve many stakeholders, steps, considerations,
and constraints. This panel will discuss best practices for project management for library
technology projects. Using examples from successful initiatives at their institutions, panelists will
share strategies for managing complex technology projects from the initiation phase through the
closing phase. Librarians from all library sizes and audiences will learn how project
management strategies can be applied in their libraries to successfully manage technology
projects. Additionally, audience members will be invited to engage in a thoughtful Q&A session
with panelists.
Membership Meeting
Sunday, 1 PM, MCC 223
Exciting things are happening in the Emerging Technology Section! At this meeting you’ll have
the opportunity to get to know other ETS members, learn about volunteer and leadership
opportunities and engage in discussion about how ETS can best support you, ALA, and our
profession. Part of the meeting will be reserved for small-group discussions about the future of
technology in various public services settings. Bring your questions and expertise, and prepare
to get connected to our fantastic community of tech-forward public service librarians.
Hot Topics: Is There an App for That? A Discussion of Emergent Tech Trends in Library
Services
Monday, 1 PM, MCC 390
Join us for a lively discussion on the technologies that are impacting reference and public
services at your library. What are your biggest emerging technology successes, failures, and
lessons learned? Share your problems and crowdsource for solutions! What can we learn from
you? Use #etsreftalk on Twitter to join the conversation during this session.