Citation
(1998), "IATUL Annual Conference", Asian Libraries, Vol. 7 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1998.17307bab.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
IATUL Annual Conference
IATUL Annual Conference
1-7 June 1998, University of Pretoria, South Africa
The 1998 IATUL Annual Conference, the first to be held in Africa, will provide a forum for representatives from developed and developing countries to:
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share views;
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gain perspectives with regard to the challenges facing library and information services in the 21st century;
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promote the networking essential for developing countries as they strive to ensure access to the worldwide wealth of information.
Whether you come from the developed or developing world, "The Challenge to be Relevant in the 21st Century" (the Conference theme) is important for your professional survival and well-being. Libraries are under threat to be bypassed by their clients. This conference may be a turning point in your own career and a landmark in the future of your library.
The Board of the International Association of Technological University Libraries (IATUL) invites you to participate as speaker, panellist or delegate and looks forward to meeting you in Pretoria. Abstracts must be received by 15 January 1998. You will be notified of the results of your application by mid-February 1998. Papers must be received by 1 May 1998. Contributions are invited in line with the following subthemes:
Linking up with megatrends
The millennium trends of the nineties will influence and shape the important elements of our lives well into the 21st century. To make the most of these extraordinary times we must be aware of the changes that surround us and develop our plans for the future with them in mind.
Subtopics:
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Megatrends (large social, economic, political and technological changes) which may alter the conditions of our lives.
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Consumer trends.
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The future of higher education, research and scholarly communication.
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The future of libraries.
Riding the technology wave
In this century nothing has had such a profound influence on the information services sector as the advent of the information society. Whether we perceive it as a threat or a marvellous opportunity depends on our ability to use it to our advantage. Digital libraries and the Internet are gaining ground both inside and outside traditional libraries. The developing world runs the risk of being left behind.
Subtopics:
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Maturation of the information society.
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Digital libraries and information services.
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Internet: information source and marketing mechanism.
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The demise of power bases.
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Mainstreaming the developing world.
Doing more with less
Universities and their libraries and information services are under severe scrutiny by governments, tax payers and clients. New money is just not forthcoming. This situation may provide us with the incentive to "reinvent ourselves".
Subtopics:
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Strategic partnerships and alliances.
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How to avoid being bypassed.
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Organisational solutions.
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Beating the competition.
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Services management.
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Selling information services.
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Alternative sources of funding.
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New teaching and learning models and their impact on information services.
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Electronic classrooms.
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Information services to remote users.
How to remain relevant and stay in business
Transformation is inevitable. However, our plans and efforts will only be effective if they are placed in the right context and if the results are rigorously checked against the expectations and real needs of our clients.
Subtopics:
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Our clients and their needs.
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Assessments of outcomes.
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Performance measurement.
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Inventing new roles for information services.
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Selling information and/or cost recovery.
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Serving the community: information literacy for all.
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Serving empowered consumers.
Registration forms and more information on the topics for presentation and discussion, the format of the papers and selection criteria are available on the Conference home page: http://www.up.ac.za/asservices/ais/iatul98/conf98.htm.
Fax, e-mail or post your proposal to: The Conference Secretary (Ria van der Spuy), Academic Information Services, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. Tel: +27 12 4203792; Fax: +27 12 3422453; E-mail: iatul@acinfo.up.ac.za