Photography by Dave Pattern

Around 50 SirsiDynix customers from the United Kingdom and Europe enjoyed a stimulating, informative, and sun-drenched few days at the 2006 DUG/HUG (Dynix Users’ Group/Horizon Users’ Group) Conference in the spectacular setting of the University of Lincoln in the U.K. A chance not only to meet colleagues from other libraries, but the SirsiDynix staff (some for the first time) as well, and get up to date with the changes in personnel and organization in the eventful year since the Exeter conference.

Presentations both by SirsiDynix staff and libraries covered many aspects of software development and the potential of Horizon in delivering the services required by our users. News of the imminent release of 8.0 was extremely welcome. An excellent exhibition had been organized by Paul Keightley, who received the Laura Garnier award in recognition of his contribution through many years as a key member of the HUG committee. Visitors from SirsiDynix in the U.S. were missed this year, but we were glad to meet and welcome Dave Schuster from CODI who brought greetings (and gossip) from across the pond.

Peter Gethin presents an award to Paul Keightley of Barnet College, in appreciation of the college’s 20 years as a SirsiDynix customer.

The theme of the conference was “Expanding Horizons,” and the keynote speaker, Professor Bruce Royan, certainly encouraged us to widen ours with his talk on “The Library, the Web and the Warp Factor” (Star Trek allusions apart!). This was further explored by Dave Pattern in his Web2 session, which attracted a large audience to hear him on the potential uses of wikis, weblogs, podcast lectures, RSS feeds (from the library …. overdue notices, book alerts anyone) etc. From the feedback, Dave’s two sessions (the other was on HIP tweaks) were the most appreciated in the conference, and he also contributed to sessions on email notices and free utilities – what a star! Dave has joined the DUG committee as webmaster so check out www.dynixusers.org.uk in a few weeks time for interesting developments!

As with many conferences, it is the social aspects that remain with you - whether it was the laid back Caribbean evening, sitting in the sunshine beside the waterfront with an excellent steel band providing just enough music not to drown the chat, or the more formal dinner in the Chapterhouse of Lincoln Cathedral. The cathedral was a very special venue for the dinner, and tours of the library and the cathedral enabled us to appreciate its history and realize what a privilege it was to be able to spend time there. The reception hosted by SirsiDynix was held in the Chapterhouse cloisters, and the cathedral bells at their weekly practice enhanced the atmosphere, as did the minstrel (a librarian in real life!) who accompanied an excellent meal on a wide range of medieval instruments. I am sure that memories of our time in this beautiful ancient city will remain with me even when we are using Horizon 18.0!