What is Online Northwest?

Online Northwest is a conference focusing on the use of technology within libraries. It was created by the Interinstitutional Library Council to help librarians around Oregon learn how to use early online searching tools. As information technology and librarians have increased in sophistication over the years, so has the conference. Online Northwest is usually held in February.

Online Northwest has evolved as a forum to discuss technical, social, and policy issues associated with information technology. Online Northwest regularly attracts information professionals from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and northern California. The bulk of attendees typically work in academic, public, or school libraries. However, a significant number of corporate librarians and a few systems people usually attend meetings.

Attendance is generally between 400 and 450 participants.

Each summer, the organizing committee meets to decide what topics will be covered at the conference the following year. Once the conference topics are identified, a few speakers are invited to speak on particular topics and a call for presentations is issued. Because of time, space, and programming requirements, Online Northwest is forced to reject a large number of proposals each year.

The precise breakdown of how your registration dollar is spent will vary from one year to the next, but here's a rough idea of where the money goes:

These costs are largely a response to comments that people make on feedback forms at the end of the conference. Many people report that good food and good equipment are an important part of their experience at Online Northwest. They also say that printed executive summaries are important.

These things are arranged, but they come with a cost. Food is the most expensive item. About 2/3 of the food budget pays for lunch while the other 1/3 covers drinks and snacks available during breaks. The cost of renting computers and data projectors is high enough that it is not possible to provide hands on workshops without substantially raising costs for attendees.

Administrative and committee expenses are the way they are because of the costs associated with processing the many types of payment that Online Northwest accepts. Also, committee members are reimbursed for travel expenses to and from Online Northwest meetings.

The vendors do. Some prizes are donated by vendors while others are purchased with funds made available by vendors fees.