The American Library Association has listed 3D printing among the agenda topics at the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting, to be held at the McCormick Convention Center in the ALA home base of Chicago, on January 3oth-February 3rd. Other topics include ebook policy, library funding options, national library public policy, and the implications of the November mid-term Congressional elections for American libraries.
The 3D printing session of the Midwinter meeting, “Library 3D Printing—Unlocking the Opportunities, Understanding the Challenges,” will cover the technological developments in 3D printing which “are empowering people to learn new skills, launch business ventures and solve complex health problems,” and deal with the question: “As this cutting-edge technology becomes more common in libraries, what do librarians need to know?” The ebook policy session “will provide an update on the library ebook lending market and discuss the best ways for libraries to bring together authors and readers in the digital age” and “provide insights on new opportunities available to libraries now that five of the world’s largest publishers provide libraries with nominal access to their full ebook catalogs. The expert panel will explore ebook lending issues, such as business models, pricing structures, privacy terms, and digital preservation. The working group will provide a summary of recent DCWG advocacy activities and explore new opportunities for collaboration between libraries and authors.” Other agenda topics are covered in similar detail.
ALA describes itself as “the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 55,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries.” The full program and registration details for the Midwinter Meeting are available via the Midwinter Meeting website, as are extensive other resources for library professionals.
