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Lowdown on Unconferences
Andrew ShupingMay 2011
What is an unconference?
(also known as barcamp, infocamp, librarycamp,
govcamp, open space technology, cupcake camp, foocamp, and more)
"Happy hour with colleagues, sans beer"Amy Buckland
http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/access-aej-spring2010.pdf
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arlophoto/5616233274/
or think of them as coffee breaks
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martisunshine/5510755562/
• INFORMAL!!! • Agenda set day of the conference• Everyone participates in an active
discussion• More fluid, more easy to change• Often no keynote speakers• Free or low cost
"What makes an unconference unique is the way it is engineered from the start to enable as much active
participation by all attendees as possible."
http://tinyurl.com/2bq5v6o
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennafreedman/3363355683/in/photostream/
Where did they come from?From the open space technology which Wikipedia defines as:
"an approach for hosting meetings, conferences, corporate-style retreats and community summit events, focused on a specific and important purpose or task—but beginning without any formal agenda, beyond the overall purpose or theme."
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83156837@N00/1756495297/
Some key tenants
• Whoever comes are the right people• Whatever happens is the only thing that
could have• Whenever it starts is the right time• When it’s over, it’s over• Rule of two feet: don't like the topic then walk
away
Difficulties
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/2788648775/
• Format can create anxiety for some people• Might not look as good on the resume for presenting• Some people just aren't going to be happy
Recent Events• National Library Unconference Day, May 2, 2011
http://blog.8bitlibrary.com/libuncon/ • 2011 THATcamp Southeast March 5, 2011:
http://southeast2011.thatcamp.org/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/revuesorg/4557524230/sizes/o/in/photostream/
Planning your own
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eklektikos/2541408630/
What do you need?
1.A theme/need 2.A venue3.A date4.Sponsor or other funds5.Communication tools/logo/publicity/other 6.People to help
Getting Ready1.Conversation2.People to help with logistics 3.Way to organize:
oemailowikioGoogle Group
4.Be flexible 5.Get the word out
Funds
• Keynote Presenter (if you have one)• Supplies • Food• Space• Schwag
Need to have ready • Room with plenty of chairs • Marker pens• Large sheets of paper• Schedule slots ready to be filled in• Whiteboards• Recycling & trash bins• Nametags • Duck tape • Food• WiFi• Enough power sockets• Hashtags
From: http://work.miramarmike.co.nz/2009/10/how-to-facilitate-barcampunconference.html
Tips and tricksDo x, y, and z...no really. Seriously. Z's are really important (as in sleep). • Don't over prepare, difficult for perfectionist but is important• Diversity of roles for planners/facilitators is handy, i.e. someone
to be creative, someone to ask questions, etc. • Library camps/unconferences are casual• Many unconferences are hybrids, and borrow some of the
traditional concepts of a conference (keynotes, registration fees, etc.)
• Utilize social software, like wikis• When planning a date/place/time, remember: Every day is a
bad day for somebody. Think of yourself as the host or hostess for this event.
Remember!
• Whoever comes are the right people• Whatever happens is the only thing that
could have• Whenever it starts is the right time• When it’s over, it’s over• Rule of two feet: don't like the topic then walk
away
Day of AdviceRemember this is new for a lot of folks let them know what they need to do that day, such as: • Help come up with the schedule• Participation in discussions is encouraged • Help in taking notes
For the organizes remember: • You can't control everything• Things will be stressful in the beginning, but it will happen
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035678396@N01/4299713318/
Advice for attending• Come prepared to share information, ideas and questions.
Unconferences work best when people are willing to share. • In order to encourage the spirit of sharing, use open-ended
questions.• Give everyone an opportunity to share their ideas.• Keep track of ideas that interest you.• Exchange business cards with those people that you want
to continue talking with after the unconference. • Bring whatever you need for taking notes (e.g., paper, pen,
laptop, PDA, etc.) Selections from: http://cnylibrarycamp.wetpaint.com/page/Advice+for+Participants
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahockley/2481722549/sizes/m/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/4651409376/sizes/m/in/photostream/
When all is said and done...• Step back• Enjoy the results• Take pictures• Take videos• Learn for the next go round
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9352758@N04/2121437918/
Final Thoughts....
Remember: • rule of two feet• let things happen• Discussion• Informal • Free or low cost
and finally:• This type of event will not work for everything
Selected Resources: Books:
Steve Lawson, tech set forthcoming Michelle BouleOpen Space Technology: A User's Guide
Websites: http://www.openspaceworld.com/users_guide.htmhttp://www.unconference.net/ http://www.openspaceworld.org/http://work.miramarmike.co.nz/2009/10/how-to-facilitate-barcampunconference.html http://chronicle.com/article/The-Unconference-Technology/65651/http://chimprawk.blogspot.com/2006/07/advice-for-planning-bar-camp.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Space_Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconferencehttp://www.slideshare.net/mekiser/library-camp-how-to-run-an-unconference-at-your-library
Examples of Unconferences Master list of Library Camps/Unconferences:
• http://liswiki.org/wiki/Library_Camp Examples:
• http://librariansmatter.com/blog/2008/08/22/library-20-and-beyond-getting-our-hands-dirty-library-unconference/
• http://librarycampperth.wetpaint.com/• http://wiki.oreillynet.com/foocamp06/index.cgi• http://librarycampks.wetpaint.com/• http://thatcamp.org/ • http://denver-stella.pbworks.com/
Questions?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76283035@N00/1507585665/
Thank you!I can be found at:
ashuping.net
Link for my presentation will be located on my webpage
