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Well, I said yes.

By Meredith Farkas | April 26, 2007

Last night, I got an e-mail asking if I’d like to join the LITA Top Technology Trends panel as one of their experts. And it didn’t take me more than 2 seconds to decide that I was going to say yes. Wow! What an honor to be included with such a distinguished group of professionals! The idea of being a prognosticator does cause me a little anxiety (I actually had a nightmare about this last night, complete with me forgetting to prepare anything and Roy telling me I was going to be great) but I am so immersed in this stuff every day of my life, so I think I’ll be able to puzzle out a few trends. No one beats up that groundhog when he’s wrong, and that guy’s always wrong.

I’m glad they are starting to get a more diverse group on the panel. It’s important to include people who work directly with patrons on a day-to-day basis. While Andrew Pace and I have a lot in common, we come from different areas of the library and will have different perspectives. That’s a good thing. It’s also good to have some more social software-y people on the panel since it’s definitely the topic du jour at most conferences.

I know Dorothea has her own good reasons for turning it down, but for me, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. I remember watching that same panel two years ago (before I’d even started my first professional job) and just being in awe of these incredibly smart and well-respected folks at the front of the room. Like I said to Roy, this part of my life all seems like a dream. And not the sort where I forget to prepare for a presentation or get chased by the bad guys. More like the kind where the whole world is made out of cotton candy and marshmallow fluff. And I love marshmallow fluff.

Topics: ALA, libraries, tech trends | 9 Comments »

9 Responses to “Well, I said yes.”

  1. Julian Says:
    April 26th, 2007 at 9:44 pm

    I’ll be the 534th person to say… congratulations! Hopefully, I will be able to afford to go to Midwinter and/or Annual next year (and not have any schedule conflicts while there) to see the panel. It’s definitely a top honor. You earned it. I’d be very fortunate to work my way up to that level in this century, if not millennium.

  2. Meredith Farkas Says:
    April 27th, 2007 at 6:29 am

    Thanks Julian. That’s very nice of you to say. Believe me, two years ago, I would probably have said “I’d be very fortunate to work my way up to that level in this century, if not millennium.” So you never know what cold be in your future! :)

  3. Mark Says:
    April 27th, 2007 at 6:50 am

    Congrats, Meredith! Well deserved.

  4. Jennifer Macaulay Says:
    April 27th, 2007 at 8:18 am

    Congratulations!! It is a well-deserved honor.

  5. Dorothea Salo Says:
    April 27th, 2007 at 1:42 pm

    Glad they tapped you; you’ll be a smash hit. Have fun with it!

  6. K.G. Schneider Says:
    April 29th, 2007 at 1:56 pm

    Congrats, Meredith! Glad to see another person from my chromosome set on the panel!

  7. Jonathan Says:
    April 30th, 2007 at 5:38 am

    Congrats, Meredith! You’ll be a great addition to the panel.

  8. Rachel Says:
    April 30th, 2007 at 4:39 pm

    Very cool! I’ll be sure to come see you when it rolls back through Chicago ;) .

  9. Sarah Houghton-Jan (LiB) Says:
    May 1st, 2007 at 3:45 pm

    Welcome to the team Meredith! And as Karen said, it’s good to have another woman on our panel. I’ve been on TTT for three years now, and have presented virtually via the LITA blog each year, because I’ve been unable to attend the real conference (lack of funds, ability to get time away from work, etc.). I’m hoping to get there in person one of these days to see all these wonderful people :)