Attendees Check Out Library Tradeshows

Despite the economic turmoil all around the world, there are fields that have experienced growth.

That's been the case with libraries, which traditionally offered books for loan and have expanded into computer services, video loans and magazines.

“Many people use the library every day, but especially in a down economy,” said Deidre Irwin Ross, director of conference services for the American Library Assn. “They come in to use the computers and ask for help with their job searches.”

All of that increased circulation and patronage at libraries has led to changes at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, scheduled July 9-15 at Chicago's McCormick Place West.

“This year, we have added what we call Grassroots Programs, which were developed by librarians themselves and not through committees like our traditional programs,” Ross said. “These grassroots programs reflect the increased usage in libraries.”

One of the sessions in the new track will explain how to set up a library job center, while another will address setting up resources to help parents who home school their children.

“These sessions reflect the different groups using the libraries today and ways in which librarians can make them feel welcome, while providing a service to the community,” Ross said.

Hall-Erickson manages the ALA show, and Paul Graller, Hall-Erickson vice president and show director for the organization, said the show's forecast for this year is positive.

“Registration is currently running ahead of the last two years,” he added. “Chicago is always a good draw, so we expect a great event. The location is probably helping us balance out the negative effects of the economy, which is restricting travel for many ALA members.”

The show last was held in Chicago in 2005, when the ALA experienced a record-breaking event.

“Exhibit space is running about 3 percent behind our projection, but ahead of last year's show in Anaheim,” Graller said.

The ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits Jan. 23-28 in Denver also held steady.

Graller said Midwinter exhibits were even with past years, and the showfloor took up about 90,000 net square feet. Professional attendance was 7,905, compared with 10,533 in Philadelphia last year, according to the ALA.

“Attendance was impacted by cutbacks in spending on travel by members,” Graller said.

Despite a poor economic environment, the annual national event isn't the only library show holding its own.

Graller also is the show director for the California Library Assn. Annual Conference & Exhibition and said, at this point, exhibit sales are the same as last year. The show will be held Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at the Pasadena (Calif.) Convention Center.

“They are just preparing the preliminary program now, so we don't have any registration stats to compare,” he added.

One thing might affect the show, Graller said: “California has statewide budget issues that I am sure will impact attendance.”

Other state shows also could have a good year during the recession.

“I think the state shows could find some increases in attendance as travel budgets for out-of-state travel are cut,” Graller said. “But, at the same time, government-related libraries and university libraries are seeing greater budget limits and travel restrictions.”

Even with slashed travel budgets, he added, the outlook for the annual conference is good.

“Exhibitors know this is still the best way to reach a broad spectrum of the library market in one place, and, although they are slower to commit and more cautious with their budgets, the buzz is still strong for this year's annual conference,” Graller said.