Published: June 4, 2018 by Priscilla Ameneyro

The second mini-conference of the year, “Blockchain Applied: Impact on the Information Profession,” is right around the corner. On June 7, tune in online from 12 – 3 pm PDT. Attending professional conferences is a great way to extend your learning beyond the classroom, stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, network and have fun! What’s even better about the Library 2.0 Virtual Conferences is that you can join in from wherever you are in the world and at zero cost to you. Keep reading to discover why you don’t want to miss it!

Why Attend
Have you heard the hype about bitcoin and blockchain but you’re not really sure what it is or how it works? Here’s a hint, according to The Economist, blockchain technology is a “machine for creating trust” in the sense that it allows people to collaborate without having to go through a neutral, central authority. Possible applications in libraries include “building an enhanced metadata center, protecting Digital First Sale rights, supporting community-based collections, and facilitating partnerships across organizations.” During this conference, you’ll get an overview of blockchain technology and hear from speakers about a wide variety of applications for blockchain technology in libraries.

Speakers
The opening keynote, “Blockchain Explained,” presented by Jason Griffey, Fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, will be followed by a roundtable discussion. The closing keynote, “Pros + Concerns,” features three speakers:

• Miguel Figueroa, Center for the Future of Libraries, American Library Association
• Toby Greenwalt, ‎Director of Digital Strategy and Technology Implementation, ‎Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
• Bohyun Kim, Chief Technology Officer and Associate Professor at the University of Rhode Island Libraries

In between those sessions there will be multiple concurrent 30-minute presentations that you can choose from, including:

• “Blockchain and a Fair Art Market” – Eric Meyer and Robert Norton
• “Setting up a Blockchain for the Public Library” – Ravi Singh
• “Blockchain Technology for Recordkeeping” – Dr. Patricia C. Franks
• “Applying Blockchain to the Information Professions” - Christina Cornejo

How to Participate
Register here to attend live or to receive links to watch the recordings afterwards. You can also register as a member of the Library 2.0 network to stay informed about conference news and updates. Join in the conversation leading up to and during the event by using #library2018 and #libraryblockchain in your social media posts.

If you haven’t attended a virtual conference before, things are of course a little different. First of all, no need to dress to impress! It is a good idea however, to update your profile with a professional looking photo and other information about what you do and where you work (or go to school). You can right-click on other participants’ profiles and view their information; take the opportunity to network! To join the conference, it’s as simple as clicking on your timezone and you’re taken to the schedule with all the links to the different presentations.

View Recordings of Previous Conferences
Once you’ve signed up for the Library 2.0 network, recordings of past events can be found under the archives tab. While you’re at it, take a look at some of the highlights from the “Design Thinking: How Librarians are Incorporating it into their Practice” mini-conference from earlier this year.

See You Online!
This Library 2.0 event is organized in partnership with Drs. Sue Alman and Sandra Hirsh as part of their Institute of Museum and Library Services funded investigation of the potential uses of blockchain technology for the information professions. As future information professionals, you could find yourself working with blockchain technology. I hope I’ve convinced you to take part in the conference on June 7. If you can’t make it, look out for a future post from me with some of the highlights.