Registration Open for BarCampOhio/LibraryCampOhio (August 11, 2008)
What is a BarCamp? ((Description adapted from the BarCamp Wikipedia entry.))
First and foremost: This is NOT a conference. Do not expect to be talked at by an 'expert' behind a podium. This is an event similar to getting together with some friends at a bar to talk. That's the "bar" part of BarCamp. The "camp" part is a little much for us to pull off so if you do read the BarCamp page, keep in mind that you do NOT need to bring a sleeping bag.
The procedural framework consists of sessions proposed and scheduled each day by attendees, mostly on-site, typically using white boards or paper taped to the wall. While loosely structured, there are rules at BarCamp. All attendees are encouraged to present or facilitate a session. Everyone is also asked to share information and experiences of the event, both live and after the fact, via public web channels including (but not limited to) blogging, photo sharing, social bookmarking, wiki-ing, and IRC. This open encouragement to share everything about the event is in deliberate contrast to the "off the record by default" and "no recordings" rules at many private invite-only participant driven conferences.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact anyone on the BarCampOhio/LibraryCampOhio team.