OK – following the overwhelming response (ok, a few people, but all very keen) who responded to my recent post on a kind of unconference/hackfest/barcamp thing around library technologies, I’m going ahead with it.

It’s early days yet – no venue, no date etc. – although it looks like I’ve already had an offer of some possible funding, and a couple of tips on venues – so capitalising on my own enthusiasm, and that of others, I’m determined this is going to happen. Although the event will be about using technologies in libraries, we need a mix of non-techy (but interested) people, as well as any programmers or part-time coders/messers (where I’d count myself).

I’ve setup a website at http://mashedlibrary.ning.com/ with some ideas from me of how the day might work, and asking for input from you (dear reader) to say how you think it might work, and anything else you want to contribute.

I’ve been at ALA for the last few days, and as usual, time out of the office has triggered some ideas. The one I’m most excited about is that I think we could do with having an event in the UK that is about bringing together interested people and doing interesting stuff with libraries and technology.

The kind of thing I’m thinking of is along the lines of the recent ‘Mashed Museums’ event which Mike Ellis blogged about at http://electronicmuseum.org.uk/2008/06/27/mashed-museum-2008/

I’m also inspired by the annual ‘Hackfest’ that happens in conjunction with the ‘Access’ conference in Canada – described by Roy Tennant, and the various Barcamp and Unconference events that spring up quite regularly now.

At this stage, I’m looking for some interest and answers – please leave comments below about the idea and if you want, answer the following questions:

• Is this a good idea?
• Would you come?
• Are weekends or workdays better?
• Would you be worried about not being ‘techie’ enough to participate?

Here’s hoping it’s not just me sitting in a room with my laptop…