Stephen Abram, MLS, is a strategy and direction planning consultant for libraries and the information industry as managing principal at Lighthouse Consulting, Inc. He is also CEO of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries. He is a renowned library trend watcher and innovator and author of Stephen’s Lighthouse blog, one of the most popular blogs in librarianship. He has been president of the Ontario Library Association, the Canadian Library Association and the Special Libraries Association. He received the 2011 CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award in June 2011. He has held international executive leadership positions at Cengage Learning (Gale), SirsiDynix, Thomson, ProQuest Micro media, and IHS. He has lead several libraries and served on the advisory boards of six LIS schools. He was listed by Library Journal as one of the top 50 people influencing the future of libraries as one of the first LJ "Movers and Shakers." He has been awarded the SLA's John Cotton Dana Award as well as being a Fellow of the SLA. He was CLA Librarian of the Year and Alumni of the Year for the Faculty of Information iSchool at the University of Toronto where he received the 2010 Outstanding Teaching Award. He speaks internationally on innovation, technology, marketing and strategic success in libraries and is the author of hundreds of articles and ALA Editions' bestselling Out Front with Stephen Abram and Reinventing Reference.

Libraries the Intersection of Technology and Innovation

As library workers we are very proud (and rightly so) about the successful ways in which we have adapted to changing times and technologies. Of course, we can't rest on our laurels. It's said too often that change is the new normal. That's because it's true. If it is the new normal, let's explore some scenarios underpinning even greater change in the coming years. Is the traditional web dying? Yes. Are some of our favorite formats ending? Yes - DVD, CD, MP3, eBooks, and more. What about apps? Nope, they're dying quickly. How should our organizations be structured, led, and managed to build capacity for faster, more adaptive success? What will our future work look like? What is the future of digital? What is the future of physical?

Stephen will explore these questions and more in this opening session to start off our virtual conference conversations.