Keynote Stephen AbramsStephen Abram, a library futurists, opened up the summit with an exciting and energizing presentation about the future of libraries. Stephen is the immediate Past President 2008 of SLA and the past-President of the Canadian Library Association and Vice President Innovation for SirsiDynix and Chief Strategist for the SirsiDynix Institute. He has been VP of Corporate Development for Micromedia ProQuest and Publisher Electronic Information for Thomson.
Presentation (PDF version)
Panel 1 - Community Success StoriesPanel 1, Community Success Stories, highlighted stories from librarians across the state - including Houston, San Angelo and Jasper. The three libraries represent a large, medium and small example of libraries, but all three had a commitment to Internet connectivity and serving the technology needs of its patrons.
Meller Langford, Houston Public Library
Nicole Robinson, WeCAN (Wireless Empowered Community Access Network)
Larry Justiss, Tom Green County Library
Denise Milton, Jasper Public Library
Keynote - Graham Richard
Former Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard was the dinner keynote and presented a rousing presentation about how communities and libraries can invest in broadband and libraries and provide essential and meaningful services to its constituents. Mayor Richards reiterated the value of libraries as they "Convene, Connect, Collaborate."
Presentation (PDF Version)
Panel 2 - The Role of Libraries in Meeting Community NeedsPanel Two of the summit offered an opportunity to showcase applications (dependent on a broadband connection) that libraries of all sizes can offer to their communities. Panelists discussed distance education, emergency response services and telemedicine.
Presentations:Anne Barker (PDF Version)
Dr. Phil Turner (PDF Version)
Karen Vargas (PDF Version)