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SCELCapalooza 2020 Canceled

It is with regret that I announce the cancellation of SCELCapalooza 2020. This was a difficult decision to make, and we apologize that we could not have provided earlier notification.

As you know, the COVID-19 situation is very quickly evolving. Over the past weekend we have seen multiple vendors cancel for Vendor Day, several institutions place travel restrictions on their staff, as well as elevated public health warnings in the media. Consequently, by late last week it was already clear that this year's conference would be a different experience for both vendors and librarians, in terms of attendance, food service, and social activities like bowling.

Ultimately our decisions are being informed by the responsibility to keep everyone safe. Contributing to the shared effort of minimizing exposure and community spread is our top priority. Our host institution, Loyola Marymount University, has been very supportive in preparing for our meetings this week, and they are equally supportive of our decision to cancel. I also consulted with a leading epidemiologist for expert advice on whether or not to host our meetings. Finally, we consulted with SCELC core board leadership on this decision, and we have strong support from them as well.

Aside from the issues noted above, the quote below sums up why we feel we need to cancel at this time:

...Preparing for the almost inevitable global spread of this virus, now dubbed COVID-19, is one of the most pro-social, altruistic things you can do in response to potential disruptions of this kind. We should prepare, not because we may feel personally at risk, but so that we can help lessen the risk for everyone. We should prepare not because we are facing a doomsday scenario out of our control, but because we can alter every aspect of this risk we face as a society."

Be safe and be well,

Rick Burke
Executive Director, SCELC
Date: 
Monday, March 9, 2020
News Contacts: 
Events Team: events@scelc.org
Author: 
Eric