2009 SSD Conference Musings

I certainly had a good time at the conference. Well, okay, after I blew out everyone's ears! Bob Welch's opening speach was very inspiring. I know I need that little reminder every now and again as to why I work for a public library. It really is to help people get the information they need or gain knowledge. I even put a hold on American Nightingale between sessions.

Lori Davidson and her team did a wonderful job planning and presenting the conference. Jackson Stalley, Karen Head, Karen Wilkinson, Kate Schwab, Margaret Harmon-Myers, Sean O'Neill, Sheila McAlexander, Stacey Fiegi, Sue Robinson, Susan Bacina - you guys rock! It is time consuming however the rewards are worthwhile when the day comes to an end. I've already heard some very wonderful comments.

Now onto 2010 at the Salem Conference Center. I hope that 5-10 people will feel inspired to be a part of this planning committee. Please take some time to think about it. Ask questions of past committee members. Add them to this post. I promise to get back to you!

Thanks for being a Support Staff Member - Cathy Zgraggen

Bob Welch, award winning Oregon author, Keynote at SSD Conference

Pebble in the water: How libraries matter more than they might know

Based on his Oregon Book Award – finalist book, American Nightingale, Welch discusses his four-year journey to research, write, promote it – and how integral libraries were to the process.

Welch is the general columnist at The Register-Guard in Eugene and twice has won top honors in the National Society of Newspaper Columnist contest. He has written 12 books, had stories of his published in numerous collections and been published in such magazines as Reader’s Digest, Sports Illustrated and Los Angeles Times. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and found of the Beachside Writers Workshop in Yachats, Oregon.

For more information visit Bob’s website at www.bobwelch.net