Battledecks @ Annual

Nine extemporizing presenters will compete for prizes and glory in the Battledecks competition tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Washington Convention Center room 103A, immediately following the Exhibits Closing Program. Battledecks is often described as "PowerPoint Karaoke." Each contestant will give an impromptu presentation on a topic that will be assigned in the room, using slides they have never seen before. Despite these challenges, the results are frequently hilarious, thought-provoking, and surprisingly insightful.

June 9, 2010

Nine extemporizing presenters will compete for prizes and glory in the Battledecks competition tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Washington Convention Center room 103A, immediately following the Exhibits Closing Program.

Battledecks is often described as “PowerPoint Karaoke.” Each contestant will give an impromptu presentation on a topic that will be assigned in the room, using slides they have never seen before. Despite these challenges, the results are frequently hilarious, thought-provoking, and surprisingly insightful.

The field features four champions from previous Battledecks competitions at Midwinter, Internet Librarian, and Pres4Lib. They’ll be challenged by five newcomers hungry for their shot at the title, making this one of Annual’s most exciting competitions.

Battledecks is sponsored by American Libraries and the Learning Round Table.

“Fiber Beat logo exercise” image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewade/3963459574/in/set-72157622474263886 /used under Creative Commons license.

Emerging Leaders Speak

Members of the 2010 class of ALA Emerging Leaders speak about their experiences so far and what they've gotten out of the program. ALA is now seeking applicants for the Emerging Leader class of 2011; learn more at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/hrdr/abouthrdr/emergingleaders.cfm. Application deadline is July 31.

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John Sharp writes: “Athens and Fairhope are two fast-growing cities in the fastest-growing areas of Alabama, and there is no mistaking their conservative bona fides. But according to early statistics about library card applications, their libraries appear to be bucking a trend embraced by conservative-leaning groups and the Alabama GOP: Their patrons appear to be trusting the libraries. More than 60% of parents at Fairhope Public Library and Athens-Limestone County Public Library have signed off on all-access passes for their children with no restrictions on library usage.”

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Battledecks @ Annual

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Emerging Leaders Speak