The day has finally come, today we open #IamMex16. Welcome to Merida everyone! We hope you enjoy the drinks reception this evening and meet lots of interesting fun people. Don’t be shy, walk up and introduce yourself, everyone is super friendly. If I were able to go to Mexico this year, I’d say ‘come talk to me’, but unfortunately I have to watch from the side lines like so many of us. However, one person you must talk to is our next speaker, our president, Kristen Anderson. We guarantee you will be met with a smile and she will help make your introduction if you are struggling.
Daryl L. Superio is a Senior Information Assistant at the Library and Data Banking Services Section, Training and Information Division, Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD) located in Iloilo, Philippines. He is also a part-time faculty member of the Central Philippine University in Iloilo City, handling cataloging and classification and indexing subjects. He is an Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstract (ASFA) Board Member, the current Chairman of the IAMSLIC Resource Sharing Committee, and one of the editors of Aquatic Commons responsible for deposits from Asia. When you see Daryl at the conference, you can chat to him about movies and anime, and also he is a certified One Piece fan.
Title:Â Factors Affecting the Attendance of IAMSLIC Members at IAMSLIC Annual Conferences
Abstract: The paper reports on results of the research that was conducted to determine the factors which affect the attendance of IAMSLIC members at IAMSLIC annual conferences. Findings of related studies revealed that librarians as well as other professionals attend conferences for professional development or advancement. Moreover, attendance to a conference is affected by some factors which may either be internal and/or external to the attendees such as conference location, professional and social networking opportunities, educational opportunities, safety and health situation, and travelability. The paper found that among IAMSLIC members regardless of regional group affiliation professional and social networking opportunities, and educational opportunities were the most important factors, while the conference location was of least importance. Specifically, IAMSLIC members attended the annual conferences because it gave them the opportunity to develop a professional network, keep-up with the current trends and development in the profession, communicate with colleagues and friends, and to listen to respected speaker. Additionally, members’ financial situation was also an important indicator of his attendance. Comments and suggestions for the development/improvement of future IAMSLIC conferences are also included.
Our final speaker introductions go to the host country and you will definitely see Teresa de J. Barriga RamÃrez over the week in Merida as she is helping to organise the conference. Great job Teresa. Teresa will be presenting a poster along with her two colleagues Laura Margarita Pérez Rojas and José Luis OrtÃz Galindo all from the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CICIMAR-IPN, Mexico.
Teresa de J. Barriga RamÃrez Maestra en Gestión de Información por la Universidad de La Habana, con créditos de la MaestrÃa en BibliotecologÃa por la Facultad de FilosofÃa y Letras, UNAM, y Licenciatura en Ciencias de la Comunicación por la UAM-Xochimilco,  México, D.F. Desde 1993 a la fecha se ha desempeñado como Coordinadora de los Servicios Bibliotecarios en la Biblioteca “Reuben Lasker†del Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas del I.P.N., donde los desafÃos profesionales constantes los aborda con buena actitud, dedicación y constancia, cualidades con las que se identifica.
Tiene experiencia como instructora de cursos de capacitación y actualización bibliotecaria, ha participado en varias reuniones y congresos a nivel nacional e internacional sobre temas relacionados con cooperación bibliotecaria, biblioteca virtual y enseñanza a distancia. Tiene publicados algunos artÃculos en revistas nacionales e internacionales académicas y de divulgación sobre los temas antes referidos.
Disfruta las actividades al aire libre, la música, el baile y la conversación.
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Laura Margarita Pérez Rojas Ingeniero en Sistemas Computacionales, responsable de la Unidad de TecnologÃa Educativa y Campus Virtual del CICIMAR-IPN, con diplomado de formación y actualización docente y en Gestión de la Calidad en programas de posgrado. Ha desarrollado varias aplicaciones en el control de información digital que han sido premiadas por el IPN. Además tiene experiencia en impartir cursos utilizando TIC y ha participado en reuniones y congresos  a nivel nacional e internacional.
José Luis OrtÃz Galindo Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas por la Facultad de Ciencias de la UNAM, profesor-investigador del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, director de tesis de posgrado y de proyectos de investigación en el área de las Ciencias Marinas, cuenta con participaciones en congresos nacionales e internacionales.
Teresa J. Barriga Ramirez has a Master in Information Management from the University of Havana, with credits of the Master of Library Science from the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, UNAM, and Bachelor of Science Communication at UAM-Xochimilco, Mexico, DF. From 1993 to date she has served as Coordinator of Library Services at the Library “Reuben Lasker” the Interdisciplinary Center of Marine Sciences of the IPN, where the constant professional challenges, along with the good attitude, dedication and perseverance are qualities identified amongst herself and the staff.
She has experience in instructor training and keeps upskilling, she has participated in several meetings and conferences at national and international level on issues related to library cooperation, virtual library and distance learning. Teresa has published some articles in academic journals and national and international outreach on the aforementioned issues.
Chat to Teresa as the conference, she enjoys outdoor activities, music, dancing and conversation.
Laura Margarita Pérez Rojas is a Computer Systems Engineer, head of the Educational Technology Unit and Virtual Campus CICIMAR-IPN, with graduate teacher training and refresher and Quality Management in graduate programs. She has developed several applications in controlling digital information that have been awarded by the IPN. She also has experience in teaching courses using ICT and participated in meetings and conferences at national and international level.
José Luis Ortiz Galindo is a Doctor in Biological Sciences Faculty of UNAM, professor and researcher at the National Polytechnic Institute, director of graduate theses and research projects in the field of Marine Science, has interests in national and international conferences Sciences.
That’s it, have a super conference everyone and watch keep an eye on the blog for the daily round-ups.
Posted on behalf of the communications team by Stephanie Ronan
Title:Â Mexican marine libraries two decades of transformations: the case of the “Reuben Lasker” CICIMAR-IPNÂ library
Abstract: This paper outlines the transformation of library services, through the development of Internet and information and communication technologies. Libraries in institutions of Mexican higher education and especially the Library “Reuben Lasker” CICIMAR-IPN have developed activities and making decisions, which show evidence of the metamorphosis based on their own experiences. It arises from the impact on the exchange of information support, as well as the organization and how to access them, recognizing a more active user that demands knowledgeable librarians that promote access to services and collections to the virtual through various electronic devices. It also describes digitization projects and information management made to renew services, such as BIDITESIS, SIPRES, and AmonPro. These projects have concretized through partnerships, commitments and agreements between librarians and other information professionals and scientists from the institution itself as well as groups, associations and related external institutions and especially IAMSLIC and IODE to address training and support the challenges of virtual information. Finally, due to the economic crisis libraries are facing in academic institutions the librarian must assume an attitude of change in the classic role as information broker. They should give advice to teachers and researchers, promoting open access encouraging the use of repositories and data mining among others. Otherwise it may be overtaken by technological advances; therefore they must support academic librarians of institutions and alliances. This will allow marine libraries to dock in port of success and triumph.
It’s that time of the year again and we are on an excited countdown to our 43rd annual conference, being held this year in Honolulu, Hawaii October 22-26. Blurring the Edges: The Osmosis of Ideas, is shaping up to be a great conference so far. Our expectations are high and the venue alone should make you tingle with anticipation.
 Joan with her friend Snowdy, who will also attend #IamMex16. Introduce yourself to them!