More than 300 people are expected to attend the 2001 Conference of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) taking place in Charlottetown, May 31 to June 3, at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel and Conference Centre. This is the largest gathering of library personnel ever held in PEI.
The conference is hosted by the Prince Edward Island Provincial Library Service; Robertson Library, University of Prince Edward Island; and Holland College Library Services.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, noted that, "This conference offers staff of the Provincial Library Service an excellent opportunity for continuing education. More than fifty of our employees will be attending APLA 2001."
The theme for this year's gathering is "Convergence: make the connections / faites les connexions." Stephen Abram, Vice President of Corporate Development for the IHS Group, will deliver the keynote address. IHS includes Micromedia Limited and IHS Canada based in Toronto, Canada's largest electronic publishers and enterprise solutions providers. Mr. Abram writes and speaks frequently on new roles for librarians, product creation and marketing, and e-learning. Program Committee Convener Betty Jeffery notes that, "Mr. Abram will outline ten major technology trends that will impact on libraries just as much as the web did in the last century."
Several local people will be presenting sessions: Anna Sawicki of the University of Prince Edward Island; Peter Rukavina of Reinvented Inc; Laurie Brinklow of Acorn Press and the Institute of Island Studies; Sean MacIntosh of the PEI Department of Education; and Ray Doiron of the University of Prince Edward Island.
The Merit Award banquet Saturday, June 2 will feature dinner speaker Roch Carrier, National Librarian of Canada. In his presentation, he will provide his views on the future direction of the National Library of Canada.
In addition to the sessions, workshops, meetings, and special events, more than 45 exhibitors will be demonstrating their products and services to conference attendees.
APLA is an association which represents, promotes, and supports the interests and concerns of those in the library community in Atlantic Canada. The Association's incoming president is Norine Hanus of Charlottetown.