Annual Conference

Conference Format

Each year BLA holds an informal and friendly three-day conference hosted by a different member institution, usually at a 4 star hotel. The conference consists of keynote speakers, presentations by members, breakout workshops, leisure activities, together with excellent food and drink. Each year a different theme is adopted and explored throughout the event. In 2008 we concentrated on the the issue of space (physical, digital, learning and head) and in 2009 the theme was focus on the future.

Photo: Delegates sharing at the 2007 conference

Benefits of Attendance

The BLA committee recently assessed what they felt to be the main benefits of attendance and produced the following list…

• Networking – Whether formal or informal, the opportunity to join a network of business libraries and librarians.
• Benchmarking – Comparing your library service and the issues it currently faces with other libraries across the UK and Ireland (and finding out that when it comes to most issues that you are not alone!).
• Professional Development – Taking time out to consider your own personal/professional development and career progression.
• Best Practice – The opportunity to learn about best practice approaches to service development and strategy.
• Problem Solving – Finding out how other institutions have approached particular tasks or solved specific problems.
• Current Awareness – Keeping up to date with ‘hot’ topics and key developments in the field via the keynote and sharing sessions.
• Expert Knowledge – If you are new to the discipline of business and management, the opportunity to seek assistance from those with more experience.
• Database Market – Keeping up to date with new features and products in the business databases market.
• Breathing Space – As a much-needed breather from the immediate problems that beset you at work and an opportunity to 'refuel'.

Feedback

Here is what some of our attendees said about last year’s conference:

"Plenty of opportunity for meeting people and networking, committee very welcoming"

"Highly enjoyable and informative – makes me feel less isolated"

"Outstanding organisation I was very impressed. Many thanks to all concerned for their hard work and unfailingly friendly and helpful presence"

Recent BLA Conferences:

2009  Dublin - Irish Management Institute  Review (pdf)

2008  Leeds - University of Leeds / Leeds Metropolitan University  Review (pdf)

2007  Northampton – University of Northampton  Review (pdf)

2006  Manchester - Manchester Business School  Review (pdf)