Super Conference is for anyone who works in libraries, who cares about libraries, who values libraries. It is for those in school, college, university and public libraries, in private sector and public institutions and in government itself. It is for those in many specializations and for those who would find new specializations. It is for the curious and the open-minded.

Librarians are in the mainstream whether they like it or not. The way in which information is now being captured and disseminated is so radically different from even three years ago that one cannot take anything for granted. Instant messaging has given way to cell phones that do everything but make coffee, listservs are giving way to wikis and iPods and will in turn give way to something new next year.

This is the most extensive library program in this country to keep you abreast, to inspire you and to inform you.

There is a mix of the practical and the philosophical, of the new and the old, of the speculative and the proven.

Technology is always significant at Super Conference as it must be. 2007 is the year of Web 2.0 and social software. It is also the year of enormous speculation around the next generation catalogue which will probably not be a catalogue at all but which promises to change patron access in fundamental ways.

There are a number of sessions describing unique program and service ideas that almost any library can use in the pursuit of better experiences for users — an urgent and continuing need that Super Conference pursues.

Your individual needs and the place you currently occupy both in your professional career and in your personal life will dictate the package of sessions that serve you best. The choice seems large but person-by-person it is not. May you find what you need.

Canada's largest and most sophisticated library trade-show is an education program in itself and an opportunity to talk with vendors about what does not work as well as about new developments.

So far, there are over twenty new companies taking part, an interesting and exciting refresh of the exhibit floor. Program includes author autographing and presentations, a new product demonstration area and slightly longer hours are also in the mix. Librarians will see Margaret Atwood's Long Pen for the first time.

Click on Expo directory or Expo program for complete information.

A core group of people come together at Super Conference to meet their colleagues. This is one of the pleasures and values of events like this.

But what if you do not already have a "network"? How do you engage 4,500 people and transform 4, or 40, or 400 into your personal support system? Not only newcomers face this challenge, many experienced people have difficulty as well.

Wednesday evening, we are offering a session on what the experts suggest you do to meet people and to build a life-long enduring network.

While social events help you have fun and meet people, the whole conference is a networking opportunity if you know what you are looking for and what to do.

Networking is not about getting a job but about maintaining your position throughout your life. It's worth working on and Super Conference is the place to be.

When you click on My Super Conference at the top of the navigation in the border to the left, you will be taken to your most powerful online tool for ensuring that you have a great experience at Super Conference 2007.

SOLUTIONS IN A CHANGING LANDSCAPE

Here are some of the streams and special events that explore our theme and our future.

BORROWING PRIVILEGES

This is what Frans Johansson calls the Medici Effect — the ideas that are triggered by bringing people from different fields together. He refers to them as intersections. We have some very amazing people coming to see what we can spark.

419 RICK SEGAL, Amazon.ca
The challenge of placing bets on ideas when you have incomplete information. How to decide, how to figure out whether you've done the right thing and how to recover when you haven't.

609 UWE STUECKMANN, Air Miles
Our Web presence and other communication tends to be one message for everyone. New possibilities open new risks but also new opportunities. Here is how some are doing it. How might we?

1108 PIETRO SATRIANO, PC Brand
President's Choice stands for innovation in people's minds. Where do the ideas come from and how do you deliberately source new ideas? There is a process that has emerged and can be used.

1314 SCOTT STIRTON, BMO
How services are delivered and how institutions reinvent themselves within unchanged roles is the focus here. The expectations are decidedly changing. How do you keep up, keep ahead?

THE NEXT GENERATION CATALOGUE

This bleeding edge series of programs is about the "social Web." In the last year, we have seen a tidal wave of ideas and possibilities emerging and many of its themes are in this Super Conference program. OLA has been investing with other provinces in the work of Beth Jefferson who, with a coterie of other people, is riding a wave of intense discovery. OLITA is bringing John Blyberg and Karen Calhoun to this discussion. There is a fascinating idea tank called a charrette on Friday that will help bring us all into the heart of the argument. What will the next generation catalogue do? Join the excitement and ride the wave.

For details, see
   Thursday 322, 403, 610
   Friday 1109, 1315, 1401
   Saturday 1902

TECHNOLOGY INTERFACE

The story this year is Web 2.0 and all planners have programs to show you what is happening with it in your library.

If you feel nauseous, there are young people and seasoned veterans willing to show you the ropes gently. There is something for everyone.

Bring your cell phone to the interactive plenary planned for Thursday 8am. If you don't have a phone, come anyway. It will be fun and revealing.

Volunteer to help with the Super Conference blog and the conference wiki.