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Page 2 • Cognotes 2014 Annual Conference Highlights
A Message from 2014-15 ALA President Courtney Young
I hope you came away from this energetic Annual Conference in Las Vegas as I did, warmed not just by the temperature, but also by new ideas, connections, and friends. The number of quality events, sessions, programs, exhibit hall activities, and networking opportunities seemed greater than ever; what an array of ideas to implement and tools to support the transformations we're working on and to help us address our challenges.
Thank you for your lively participation, hard work, creativity, and commitment. I'm especially energized by the many conversations around key issues for libraries and librarians, from e-content, advocacy, privacy, and the latest in information technology, to picture books, graphic novels, makerspaces, and more. In the words of one of last year's attendees, it's “a feast at the smorgasbord of library knowledge.”
Being inaugurated as the 2014-15 ALA president at the brunch event on Tuesday was of course a personal conference highlight for me. I'm excited about the year ahead, especially about working with everyone on my selected priority areas. One of those is to help make ALA more welcoming to new and current members - we'll focus in particular on how we can use social media more powerfully and consistently to accomplish that and other goals.
I'm also eager to help develop and articulate plans around the three strategic directions that ALA will be focusing on in the coming years: advocacy; information policy; and professional development. These three areas are key to the future of libraries, and there will be ongoing conversations and discussions about how to integrate them most productively into our work and initiatives.
Under the advocacy umbrella, we'll continue to build on the momentum of last year's “Declaration for the Right to Libraries.” Thousands of people across the country have already signed, affirming their right to have vibrant school, public, academic, and special libraries in their communities. Based on the enormous popularity of this initiative, I know that we are just beginning to see its impact.
Please join us in 2015 to continue the work, learning, conversations, and fun at Midwinter Meeting in Chicago (where I guarantee we won't be craving air conditioning), and then at Annual Conference in San Francisco - and book early to be sure you get the discounted rates. Keep an eye out for announcements of exciting speakers, authors, and thought leaders who'll be joining us. For Midwinter, keep track of the key “News You Can Use” updates from ALA offices, divisions, and related external organizations, as they're added to the program. In addition to the hundreds of discussions and sessions on top-of-mind topics, the pre-Midwinter Institutes, and all the networking you can handle, the exhibit hall will be as active as ever, with more than 425 exhibitors showing off the latest technologies, titles, and more.
I look forward to seeing you at either or both events, and in the meantime, let's keep our conversations going at #alaac14 and #teamALA (and include me via @librarycourtney), so we can increase the impact of our work as we share ideas and insights.
—See information about 2015 bundled registration opportunities on page 9.
2014-15 ALA President Courtney Young
Philippe Petit Finds Creative Uses for Everyday Objects
By Talea Anderson Central Washington University
On June 30, Philippe Petit, high-wire artist and subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary “Man on Wire,” spoke about his latest book, Creativity: The Perfect Crime. Petit designed the book to break conventions even as it explores the concept of creativity. “I love the idea of breaking rules,” Petit said.
Petit called on his artistic background to create his book. He designed the pages, which when laid flat, measure in accordance with the golden ratio, the most aesthetically pleasing of proportions. He also included sketches and digressions colored blue to highlight the difference from the central narrative. Petit noted that creativity often emerges from digressions, and he illustrated his point by intertwining magic tricks into his talk.
Petit explained that creativity also comes through seeing ordinary objects in extraordinary ways. Audience members received plastic forks when they entered the auditorium, and Petit asked them to suggest new ways of using the utensil. Petit then presented some of the 37 uses he had conceptualized, including: tongue depressor, sundial, burglar alarm, bottle opener, and catapult.
For Petit, creativity also comes by trying new things. “Surprise yourself,” he said, suggesting that audience members try walking barefoot on familiar surfaces, listening to new music, or visiting an unfamiliar shop. He noted that, by doing something a little uncomfortable, people often develop new and innovative ways of thinking.
Petit concluded by encouraging his audience to create through play. “We take ourselves way too seriously,” he said. He noted that some of his best ideas have come by defying norms and ignoring expectations. As a self-described autodidact, he encouraged the audience to find their own ways of expressing themselves creatively.
Philippe Petit discusses his book Creativity: The Perfect Crime during his Auditorium Speaker Series presentation June 30.
Lois Lowry: The Gift of the Giver (see story page 1)
