There is no time like the present to start booking your accommodation and transport arrangements to glorious Adelaide for the New Librarians Symposium in December. The two days can fly by (as it does when you are having fun) but while the prospect of wandering Rundle Mall can be very exciting - so are the networking opportunities that await you over those days at the Hilton.
There is a lot more happening behind the scenes at the conference than a whole lot of people exclaiming 'Ohhhh I've seen your name on the NGG E-list!' and 'Wow... lunch smells good!' There are others just like you, making contacts with others - delegates that may have been in your position once before, or know a manager of a friend who is looking at expanding their staff, or someone else who you can share your experiences of your journey along the path of shelving, reference shifts and photocopier jams.
Here are some tips for having fun - and making contact easier with other delegates and help make the most of your time at NLS 2.0!
- If you don't have your own business cards - print some up yourself. It is a lot easier than writing e-mail addresses and numbers on scraps of paper!
- If you get the chance, attend some of the social events. It is an easier way to 'mingle' at the social events, than two people trying to tell each other about their whole career path in a fifteen-minute afternoon tea break!
- As the conference gets closer the NGG e-list will be bustling with people finding out who is staying where and who is going to what. Use this as a way to catch up with people 'before you go'.
- Don't forget you wear your ALIA pin - it lets people know that you are a member!
- Try to read up on who is speaking and learn more about their background. There may be a topic or an achievement of theirs that interests you and you would like to know more about. You have the perfect chance to do that while you are attending the conference.
- If you feel the need, pack a few résumés - just in case!
- If you are not already, become an active member of your local ALIA NGG - this will help further your NLS experience to more than just a 'once a year' thing.
- Continue to check the NLS website when you return home. You can get information on what was presented and also plan for then next NLS - wherever it may be.
- Try not to auction the many promotional pens and stickers you may receive on E-bay. They are great souvenirs of your time at NLS!
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