News arising – forwarded from the RMIT students mailing list (and also from the ALIA Vic list) I have received the following information about a Victorian public libraries initiative which I thought should be posted here, where all the 2.0 crowd tend to gather.

Dear colleagues

What’s the best part of a conference? Most people agree it’s the
networking; the opportunity to talk to colleagues. How about a day that
just has that – a whole powerpoint free zone! Don’t be talked at – be
part of the conversation.

Join us in the latest thing to hit libraryland – the Unconference.
Modelled on Library Camps held in 2006 in the US, the idea is that
participants shape the agenda and are responsible for the day. An
unconference focuses on who’s going to be at the event and what they’re
interested in. The organisers provide space, enough blank surfaces to
write on so that people can self organise and a general theme for the
day. Everything else is up to you, the participants.

Going along with the broad Library 2.0 themes of
* Embracing change
* Empowering users
* Unblocking information
we will invite some interesting colleagues and then it’s up to you.

Thomastown library is well equipped for this – it has 2 good meeting
rooms and a training room that can be used by people to explore library
2.0 concepts and ideas. We’ll have tea & coffee and food to keep you
going – and drinks to finish up the day. Otherwise it’s pretty well over
to you!

The principles of the unconference are:
* Whoever comes is the right person
* Whatever happens, that’s the way it’s supposed to happen
* Whenever it starts , it’s the right time to start
* When it’s over it’s over

Are you ready to give up up control, go with the flow, engage and
participate?

Then join us – please let us know you are coming on the Statewide
Training calendar www.libraries.vic.gov.au/training
We will then invoice you.

Check out how the US ones went:
http://wiki.library2.net/index.php/Library_Camp_East_2006
http://www.blyberg.net

And keep your eye on the Library 2.0 Melbourne unconference Blog
http://L2unconferencemelbourne.blogspot.com/
You would have come across the idea of Library 2.0 / Web 2.0 and
perhaps you are interested to know more about it and how it might be
applied to your library service. Now is your chance to not just find out
about Library 2.0 but to experience it!

All levels of staff are welcome, especially innovative, thoughtful and
participatory ones – people will get out of the day what they put into
it.

When: Friday 2 March 2007 9.30 – 4.30
Where: Thomastown Library and Community Centre 52 Main St Thomastown (a
short stroll from the train station and plenty of parking)
Cost: $30 per participant
Register at www.libraries.vic.gov.au/training

The original notification comes from Christine Mackenzie, CEO of Yarra Plenty Regional Library.

Early blogger and developer of RSS Dave Winer is the grandpappy of the Uncon, and he provides some background to the concept, which is a fairly untried one in this country, here. If any good souls reading here have been involved in an unconference before, it would be good to offer your comments and support to this venture, either through the blog or by email.