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A light grilling...

Jennefer Aston current BIALL Chair and native Dubliner has very kindly agreed to answer some questions for the BIALL Blog about her tenure, Dublin and the Conference that takes place next week.

The Conference

There are only 10 days to the start of the Conference, what reasons would you give for attending?

With only 10 days to go until the start of the conference I am delighted that we will have over 400 delegates this year so a great opportunity for networking & professional development, a bigger exhibition with more suppliers, and of course location - you absolutely should come to Dublin.

What one piece of advice would you give anyone attending the Conference for the first time?

Take full advantage of the opportunity to meet & network with colleagues from all the sectors - talk to as many people as possible - don't just stick to the faces you know already.

What session are you looking forward to most?

I confess that at times I have been thinking it is the first or then again the last but more
seriously I have always enjoyed hearing Richard Susskind speak

Your tenure

What does the BIALL Chair do in the course of a year, do you just attend meetings all the time?

I tried to ask that before I started but to no avail! Yes there have been a lot of meetings but also an opportunity to think about how we do things which up to now I had just expected to be done for me by BIALL. I did receive an outline which was helpful as it set out the formal role & the number of meetings, what it didn't prepare me for was the number of emails and phone calls that are part of the day. I was lucky enough to attend a variety of meetings of different committees as well that showed me all the work that is done on a daily basis on our behalf.

What have you enjoyed most?

Getting to see the real working of BIALL and working with such a range of people and expertise

Is there anything or anyone you are going to miss?

The exchange of information that is so immediate and interesting before during and at meetings and - I feel there is still more to do.

Dublin

What sort of a welcome can BIALL members expect from Dublin?

A "blooming" good one - couldn't resist that! Dubliners will be looking forward to a Joycean Bloomsday. I can't guarantee the weather but i think and hope the welcome will be warm.

What are the "must-see" sights?

I have to say the Book of Kells & the Long Room are my must. I have seen a great range of library interiors over the years and I think it is a fwonderful space. At the other extreme I know a number of colleagues who would say the shopping.

Guinness or Wine?

Ah here I have to say my personal preference has always been wine BUT after years of visitors I can assure you that you should get a very different and better Guinness than you are used to - if you need tips on which pubs to try I will happily advise.

Thanks to Jennefer for very kindly agreeing to answer our questions. I'm sure everyone is going to Dublin is looking forward to it immensely.

Full post as published by The BIALL Blog on June 02, 2008 (boomark / email).