Tips and Tricks from the Planners! | OLA Super Conference

Our planners have put together a great list of tips, tricks, and hidden gems at the Super Conference. Check out their suggestions:

ALL CONFERENCE:

Stop By The OLA Lobby: Stickers, ribbons, handouts, and information about what OLA does, you can find it all at the OLA Lobby! Open Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Spotlight Book Signings: Book signings to follow for many of our spotlight sessions. Purchase these books and many more at The Library Marketplace in MTCC 205B.

Give at Super Conference: Help us keep our community warm! OLA staff will be collecting new socks for StreetHealth throughout the conference. Socks will be collected during Keynotes and social events, as well as in Room 205A from Wednesday to Friday, with all contributions going directly to people in need in the local community.

Support our Annual Fundraising Campaign – the I Read Canadian Fund:
Help us get new, Canadian books into the hands of readers who can’t afford them without our help. Our goal is $30,000! Donate now!

#OLASC Planner Pick comes from our OLITA co-planner, Matt Rowheder: “I’m a huge fan of the various spotlights across all the divisions, not only do they highlight some of the most important ideas and issues impacting that specific division, but they also help develop and create key connections across divisions – lines that might not have been noticed otherwise.”

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28:

Want to start off your Conference experience with some other library people? Come pick up your badge and then swing by our Early Arrivals Reception from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm in MTCC 204. We look forward to seeing you there!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29:

Library Tours: Interested in seeing what’s happening inside the most recently built or renovated libraries in the GTA? Then come join any of our morning tours. This year we have a Public Library Tour and opportunities to peek behind the scenes at the TIFF Film Reference Library, The TD Art & Archives, and Penguin Random House.

Community Partners Boulevard: Libraries rely on valuable partners to help reach their communities’ needs. These partners will be on hand to spread the word of their services, from literacy, to advocacy, to outreach and more. Visit the Community Partners Boulevard from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm in the MTCC Lobby.

All Conference Welcome Party: Kick off your Super Conference with a dreamy get-together full of surprises. Come and join the party at MTCC 105 Reception Area from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. You won’t want to miss it! Thank you to ProQuest for their ongoing support!

#OLASC Planner Pick comes from our OLBA co-planner, Mariam Hamou: “I’ve been attending Super Conference for about 5 years and I love connecting with people I meet at Super Conference every year and meeting new people. Last year I saw someone I hadn’t seen in 20 years and we played catch up.”

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30:

Yoga: Come and join our morning yoga class and prepare your body and mind for the day ahead on Thursday and Friday (MTCC 105 stage area) at 7:30 am – 8:15 am. Yoga mats will be provided. No registration required. Namaste.

Games Night Social: Come and participate in video games, Dungeons and Dragons, and board games. Chat with library folks who are also interested in games. A fun, lighthearted night. Cash bar. Join us from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm in the ICTC Caledon, Humber, and Haliburton.

Karaoke and Pub Night (Offsite): Cap off a full day of professional learning by belting out your favourite tunes alongside conference attendees! Or just come along and watch! Participation is not mandatory. Some drinks and snacks will be provided. Join us from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at The Pint House.

#OLASC Planner Pick from our conference co-chair, Elizabeth Obermeyer: “I definitely recommend you make time for the social events! There’s no better way to enhance your conference experience! Planners work hard to bring you the best social events for networking, catching up with library friends, and meeting new people. Don’t miss out! Grab a drink and come say hello!”

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31:

SUPER EXPO – THURSDAY & FRIDAY

The Super Expo is the exhibit floor of the Super Conference. It’s your chance to interact with all of the major vendors working in the library industry. You’ll have the opportunity to sample new products, play with different technologies and learn about upcoming services and publications. This is a great chance to meet with company representatives and let them know what your library needs most. Visit the Super EXPO floor on Thursday from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm and Friday from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm.

#OLASC Planner Pick comes from our Library Tech co-planner, Mary Chisholm: “I am always really excited to visit the EXPO. I love meeting authors, getting free books, talking with vendors, and seeing what’s happening on the EXPO stage.”

Poster Sessions: Poster sessions are a great way to explore newly emerging trends, ideas and research in the library world. On Thursday and Friday, we’re excited to have 40 Poster Sessions on display on the Super EXPO floor! Posters will be setup from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Presenters will be on-hand to present 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm on Thursday and Friday. See poster session descriptions and images on the website here. This is your opportunity to discover newly emerging, innovative ideas for your library.

#OLASC Planner Pick comes from our conference co-chair, Zack Osborne: “Poster Sessions! I’m always inspired, and often find something new I can bring back to explore at my own library.”

The Style Lounge: The Style Lounge is back! Open Thursday and Friday on the EXPO Floor, we’ll have professional hair stylists, makeup artists, and photographers onsite to give you a headshot that will make your selfie cower in shame. No appointment necessary. Fierce photo poses mandatory.

Author Signings: This is our biggest year yet! Almost 200 author signings will be happening at the conference this year. Keep checking the website as new signings will be added right up until the conference!