The annual conference is a time to renew relationships as well as forge new connections. For a new person attending their first or second conference this opportunity can seem a bit daunting. Many of us experienced similar feelings during our first conferences: “How can I get more involved?” “I don’t know anyone in this room!” “When am I going to find time to eat?’ “What’s with all the acronyms?”

 

The Conference Guides program is here to ease those new attendee jitters and promote a collegial feeling at our conferences. We pair first or second time attendees with more experienced conference goers who act as their guides during the conference.

 

Veterans arrange to meet their “newbie” at the start of the conference, and check in with their newbies throughout the conference, introducing them to colleagues, and helping them to get the most from the experience.

 

This program is rewarding for veterans and newcomers alike and is a simple way to volunteer. Participating as a Conference Guide doesn’t take much time and is limited to the duration of the conference.

 

This year, we’re also looking for people with a proficiency in foreign languages to be conference guides for our international attendees from more than thirteen countries, including Russia, Poland, Italy, UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Japan, and others.

 

The deadline to sign up is Friday, February 9, and both Guides and Newbies can do so here: https://tinyurl.com/2018arlisguides.

Applicants will be notified of potential pairing no later than Wednesday, February 14.

 

Please contact Jennifer Friedman at [log in to unmask] for any questions.

 

Warm regards,

 

ARLIS/NA Mentoring Subcommittee

Jennifer Friedman (Chair)

Lynn Cunningham

Shira Loev Eller

Darin Murphy

Mackenzie Salisbury

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Jennifer Friedman

Head, Research Services

W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts

154 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA  01003

t: 413.545.6890  e: [log in to unmask]