Once more, the burden of history weighs heavy on this post. The first national conference I ever attended was the founding conference of the National Union of School Students, I think in 1972, when I would have been 17. Nothing to do with professional gatherings, I know, but by the time I started working in libraries, I was a veteran of student and labour movement conferences and other events. Consequently, when I began to attend librarians' conferences they seemed, by comparison, a little dull and restrained. There were not the sharp ideological differences reflecting in a thousand different amendments and composites, the gauntlet to run outside the hall of newspaper sellers and leafleters, the sessions that lasted long into the night. On the other hand, both types of conference-goer share a fierce appetite for strong drink and late nights .
Health librarians are perhaps the most addicted to conference-going, maybe because the professions they serve are addicted too. So the flower of my conference going career has been during my time as a health librarian. As well as those organised by the Health Libraries Group, EAHIL, the MLA, AHIS, ICAHIS and so on, I went to, and spoke at, scientific conferences such as those of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association. These allowed me to compare and contrast. There's a lot more money around at the latter events: you can see it in the trade exhibitors stands, in the keynote speakers, the social programme, in the activities organised to amuse spouses who have come along in tow.
What have I learnt from these experiences?
- Pace yourself, first and foremost, whether it be as your glass is over-zealously topped-up at the opening reception, or in organising your time.
- If I'm speaking, I find it impossible to concentrate on sessions until my turn has come and gone. The first time I spoke at an international conference, in Utrecht, I had to lock myself in my hotel room and not come out until I was on. Preparation is all; don't depend on being locked in said hotel room to finish your paper
- Conference time is not like normal time, and before you know it, it will be the closing ceremony
- Above all, talk to fellow delegates. Like most male librarians, this does not come naturally to me, but I try to make myself, rather than hiding behind my laptop or the Guardian crossword. There is always a subject of conversation, even if it is only the incompetence of the session chair, the poor food and small portions, or the scandalous behaviour of certain exhibitors at the disco the night before
I've helped organise a few events in my time too. There's nothing better for developing yourself professionally than trying to devise an event your peers need to, and might want to, attend. I have spent long hours in committee meetings, staring at the wall and trying to work out what the hell the burning professional issues are, and who could possibly be conned into talking about them for little or no fee. It's fun. Get stuck in.
