This year, the lobby at the OLA Super Conference is going to look a little bit different. Right in the centre of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre lobby, you will see our brand new OLA Super Conference Unconference Centre. We have programmed this new space loosely (see the scheduled topics below), but also welcome attendees to use the space to gather for informal chats on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hours of the Unconference Centre
Wednesday: 8am – 5pm
Thursday: 8am – 6pm
Friday: 8am – 2pm

Ground Rules of the Unconference Centre
Rule #1: Whoever shows up are the right people
Rule #2: Whatever topic/discussion is fine
Rule #3: Whenever it starts is the right time
Rule #4: It’s over when it’s over

Tips for a Successful Unconference
1. Enter with an open mind.
2. Stay centred – what are you here to discuss?
3. Innovation and conversation are built on openness, communication, and trust. Welcome a diversity of opinions and stay respectful.*
4. Come and go as needed. Your unconference experience can be five minutes or five hours! Conference time is precious – use it in ways that are most valuable to you.
5. Share your learnings – with your colleagues, with #OLASC on social media, with our planning team. This is our first run at an Unconference-Within-A-Conference, and would love your feedback.

*Please view our OLA Code of Conduct and report any breaches to a volunteer or staff member in a Red Vest.

Scheduled Topics at the 2020 Unconference Centre

Wednesday
8:00-9:00am: Open Educational Resources
9:00-12:00pm: Free
12:00-1:00pm: Performance-Based Funding Models – Implications for Academic Libraries
1:00-2:00pm: Emotional Labour in Libraries
2:00-3:00pm: Cataloguing and Technical Services 

Thursday
8:00-9:00am: Planning for Retirement
9:00-10:00am: Northern Libraries Meetup
10:00-11:00am: Public Library Fundraising
11:00-12:00pm: Widow/Widower Meetup: Grieving at Work
12:00-1:00pm: Research and Evaluation
1:00-2:00pm: Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
2:00-3:00pm: Free
3:00-4:00pm: Chinese American Librarians Association: Canadian Chapter Meetup
4:00-6:00pm: Free

Friday
8:00-9:00am: Space Planning
9:00-10:00am: Collections
10:00-11:00am:  Wikimedia Canada: 1lib1ref
11:00-12:00pm: Intellectual Freedom + Marginalized Communities
12:00-1:00pm: OSLA Book Club Meetup 
1:00-2:00pm: OLA Child & Youth Services Committee – Ask Us Anything!

If you have suggestions for topics that you would like to see represented here, please contact Emily Burns, Education & Conference Manager at OLA.
Reference:
How to Run an Un-Conference