The Illinois State Library conducted a survey of the OTFL attendees. Here is a sampling of the responses they have received so far. If you attended and have not completed the survey, tell us what you think by
completing the survey.. Please feel free to post your experiences, responses and other comments about the conference on this Discussion board as well.
Responses to the survey question "Please share a story of how this conference impacted you"
1. I listened raptly during Rachel Singer Gordon presentation; I so admire her, and I really "took to heart" what she said about making your career--and your life--fit the shape you want it to take...It was very empowering to see what she's accomplished, simply by "making it so"... Wed, 4/1/09 8:41 PM
2. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION PUT INTO 2 DAYS. Tue, 3/31/09 3:49 PM
3. I was inspired tto "make every library visit pleasant" by Karen Hyman's presentation. Mon, 3/30/09 1:35 PM
4. Working with school librarians and youth service staff in public libraries, I went to workshops that will assist me in providing folks with new resources that will help improve their service to patrons. I especially found the Web Junction, Web 2.0, and Novelist sessions valuable. Mon, 3/30/09 10:59 AM
5. Not only was I able to network with new colleagues and friends, I recieved a sense of empowerment that, yes, all the things we talked about in library school are relevant and just because I am young does not mean my voice should not be heard. Thu, 3/26/09 8:35 PM
6. I learned much from each of the keynote speakers and took many good notes to bring back to my Library. The speakers offered many insights and offered practical information for us to use in our daily Library workings. I appreciated the dorm room choice for lodging and enjoyed the Lincoln Library tour that was offered on Tuesday evening. Thu, 3/26/09 8:18 AM
7. I was really struck by James LaRue, and his story about working to build support for his library. I was interested in his learning that increasing cardholders did not translate into more support for the library, but more than that I was impressed by his ability to keep his focus on his goal, go where the evidence led him, and experiment in thoughtful ways. I will remember his point about making his case by demonstrating what the library could do for his community. Wed, 3/25/09 7:03 PM
8. I really enjoyed the keynote speakers. They were all excellant speakers and their topics were very timely. I came away from each one inspired to do better! Wed, 3/25/09 2:46 PM
9. I am hoping to be accepted into a MLS program for the fall, and I am looking for training that will be tools and resources for this endeavor. With many communities being so diverse as, it was nice to know of resources, services and programs that are offered by the Diversity Office at the ISL. The keynote speakers were my favorite and all the speakers were wonderful. Aaron Schmidt was the push I needed to motivate me to work on updating our Foundation's website. The screen casting session was a thought provoker for me to use that to do in-house staff training. Mary Pergander mentioned that she was an independent contractor as a way to work on selling her ideas, which was a different approach and something that I'm going to try. The tour of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library was very exciting. I was a tad bit disappointed that we didn't get to see the Lincoln artifacts behind the looked door that were in the vault, but the Library is beautiful. I met some really nice people, had some thought-provoking and insightful conversations. Wed, 3/25/09 2:33 PM
10. I was very motivated by the keynote speakers. They had an important message as well as the right touch of humor sprinkled in. It made me feel that my small public library is just as important at serving its patrons as the larger libraries. The small public library may not be able to offer some of the amenities as the larger libraries due to cost, but it can offer and make a difference by providing wonderful customer service. As a scholarship recipient, I want to let you know how much I appreciate the opportunity to attend. I felt that the Front Lines committee did a wonderful job of making me feel comfortable and meeting my needs; from scheduling fantastic speakers to making sure I didn't get lost driving to the ISL. The only downside was that I frequently found that I was torn between which sessions to attend. I greatly appreciate the handouts made available from other sessions though. Many thanks for making it possible for me to attend this conference. Wed, 3/25/09 2:17 PM
11. I enjoyed this conference and rate it at the top of my list. The networking was wonderful and helped put me back on track. Talking to your peergroup about some of the same struggles and joys of keeping a library revived and viable in your community is a tremendous help. The keynote speakers were wonderful. I learned so much and had many ideas to take home from the workshops. I appreciate the opportunity to attend this conference due to the scholarship program set up by the Illinois State Library. Wed, 3/25/09 12:56 PM
12. Grant writing presentation offered new stimulus. Wed, 3/25/09 10:52 AM
13. The world is changing again. Our little world in Macoupin County will be changing again. The schools and the Library will probably the front runners implementing this change. 'Going Green' is a way of life for many of us for many years. Wed, 3/25/09 10:24 AM
14. I attended three keynotes (Jamie Larue, Rachel Gordon and AAron Schmidt. All three were terrific and relevant. I was especially inspired by Rachel Gordon to re-evaluate my goals, both personal and work. The most significant idea was her discussion of Locus of Control. I believe I had accepted that I have almost no control. Her talk shook me up and made me se that we always have the power to change - even if we may need to work around many many obstacles. I am focusing on this one idea for myself, my staff and my department! Wed, 3/25/09 9:36 AM
15. The session on Internet Safety was one of the most valuable sessions I have attended at any conference, including ILA, PLA, and ALA conferences. Wed, 3/25/09 9:17 AM
16. I attended Tuesday and Wednesday. I was happy with every session I attended but I picked up some great ideas from Kevin Becker's presentation and I learned a lot! He provided practical ideas that a person could take back to their library the next day and do or implement. I thoroughly enjoyed Karen Hyman. She's a great speaker! Wed, 3/25/09 9:13 AM
17. Rachel Singer Gordon presented an excellent session on reevaluating the way we think about our jobs, our careers, our communication, and our methods of approaching challenges. I came away from the session inspired to set new goals and to explore new ways of impacting my library and patrons. Wed, 3/25/09 8:56 AM
18. I really enjoyed Aaron Schmidt's talk about library websites. Tue, 3/24/09 10:02 PM
19. Every session that I attended was so well planned and thought out. Each speaker knew their material and was able to answer all our questions. I really enjoyed each session and only wish I could have attended every one. I came away with so much information, I could hardly wait to get back to the library to tell everyone what all I have learned. The food was amazing. Thank you so much for this opportunity to reach our goals and become better equipped to stand on the Front Lines. Tue, 3/24/09 7:33 PM
20. I really enjoyed the entire conference. It was nice to be able to meet and network with librarians from other systems. Karen Hyman was a terrific speaker and gave some wonderful ideas and insight. I would love to go to a conference like this again if it is available. Tue, 3/24/09 5:59 PM
21. I was awarded a scholarship to attend OTFL. I found the presentations to be excellent and inspirational. The conference left me feeling motivated and excited to return to work to experiment with some of the ideas presented during the seminars. It was an excellent experience. Tue, 3/24/09 5:36 PM
22. I attended the conference both on Monday and Tuesday. I especially enjoyed the keynote speakers and experience to share ideas with friendly attendees. Tue, 3/24/09 3:35 PM
23. It brought forth many issues and created many ideas for our library. Tue, 3/24/09 3:06 PM
24. I get out from my office and from behind my desk to work with our patrons. While I have continually shared with my staff the need to do so, and they see that patrons seek me out because of this, most of them sit on the chair behind circ. I am back from OTFL and insisting my staff get up and move out. I shared with them that they need to stop spreading their bottoms and start spreading a more welcoming, service friendly attitude. While this was said light-heartedly, they also know I am serious. I may have to take their chairs away, and that would be difficult with computer stations at a sitting level. Tue, 3/24/09 2:44 PM
25. I asked to go to this conference and I am so glad that I did. I felt that the tone of changing your library and making it more accessible to patrons was so upbeat. I really enjoyed listening to Karen Hyman. All the sessions that I attended was worth staying awake for and the location was easy to find. Tue, 3/24/09 2:42 PM
26. As an academic library, we do not encounter many patrons who object to any items in our collection, but the potential is always there for such a problem to arise. Rose Chenoweth, who presented "Not in My Library We Don't!" on Tuesday, is an excellent speaker, giving many tips on how to deal effectively with such situations. Her advice could be useful with any patron who is upset for whatever reason. Ms. Chenoweth is an engaging speaker, with a real ability to bring a roomful of people together. Tue, 3/24/09 2:42 PM
27. This was a wonderful conference. This is the first time I had been to an "On the Front Lines" Conference. I was only able to attend for 1 day, but I feel it was a day well spent. I wish I could have gone to all the seminars that were offered, but unfortunately I could only go to one per session. I spoke with the representatives of the companies that were presenting and made my decision by which one most interested me and would be beneficial to our library. I went to the Novelist presentation put on by Ebsco and was extremely impressed. I learned about some valuable tools we could use in our library. I use Novelist often and wasn't sure I wanted to go the the presentation, but I learned so many new ways to use Novelist that will help our library run more efficiently. Our Ebsco rep is coming to our next Staff meeting to do more trainging! The other speakers I heard that day were also informative, and entertaining. Thanks for a great conference!! Tue, 3/24/09 2:34 PM
28. I enjoyed most of the conference. My most important moment came in the keynote speaker on Wedesday morning, who said "your library is only as friendly as your LEAST-friendly employee." Wow... what a truthful -- and sometimes saddening -- thought! This gave me the will, if not the way, to explain to my board and then my staff, how important image is in libraries. She also said we are "just as good as those morons deserve," which is how come my staff felt like they could be rude. However, my goal from the conference was to change that opinion! Wish me luck! Tue, 3/24/09 2:31 PM
29. Could not attend due to emergency Tue, 3/24/09 2:13 PM
30. I met many interesting individuals and brought many ideas back that can be utilized in my library. I learned that even little changes can make a huge difference in the perceptions that patrons may have regarding the library. Tue, 3/24/09 2:08 PM
31. The conference's keynote speaker, Jamie Larue's, story provided me with much-needed affirmation that I, a brand new librarian, am in not only the right field, (this, after a LONG search), but also the right frame of mind. I might be horrible at Dewey, but my heart is definitely in the right, passionate place to make the emotional connection Larue claims is the essential ingredient to gaining patron support for public libraries. Entering my new milieu has been a bumpier ride than expected, but Mr. Larue's advocacy for librarian awareness of and respect for patrons' feelings resonated with me and told me to stay the course - it's the right one. Tue, 3/24/09 2:03 PM
32. I enjoyed meeting the staff at the State Library. They were all very helpful and encouraging. Tue, 3/24/09 2:00 PM
33. I really enjoyed the "Peace in stressful times" seminar. The instructor, Linda Murphy, had many great insights to share and she also led us in guided imagery. Tue, 3/24/09 1:56 PM
34. It educated and inspired me to make these vital changes, in my own way, in my library. Tue, 3/24/09 1:24 PM
35. What a great conference! It's the best conference I've ever attended in my twenty years in education. There were so many options it was hard to decide which one I should attend. The facility was perfect and I met several library staff people which was very interesting. I am so charged to come back and try for the LSTA grants. A session I added on doing Library 2.0 on the cheap by Kevin Becker was a great springboard for an LSTA idea! He was full of great information and very entertaining. Also, the going green presentation made me more aware than ever about the waste that we have at our school. Aaron Schmidt was a great speaker and totally made me think about some of the things we are doing in our library that often "turns off" our jr. high patrons. The luncheon was very nice and very much appreciated. Tue, 3/24/09 1:14 PM
36. I especially liked that two of the keynote speakers talked about the positive impact that telling "library stories" would have in a library's marketing efforts. I plan to implement as many stories as I can into my presentations as a library outreach person. I also liked the ideas about how to "package" programs that my library might already offer into more interesting formats. Tue, 3/24/09 1:11 PM
37. I found the discussions pertinent and useful. I am looking at some web sites, which were recommended and found the speakers were very good. Tue, 3/24/09 1:09 PM
38. IT WAS A GOOD CONFERENCE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAMS DEALING WITH THE BEHIND THE SCENES SO TO SAY, (MAKING LIBRARY CARDS, EXCELLING IN ANSWERING PHONES, STAYING PLEASANT WITH IRRITATING CUSTOMERS) MORE ALONG THOSE LINES. Tue, 3/24/09 1:08 PM
