SLA Blog

2009 January Leadership Summit Registration Now Open

On-line registration is now available for the 2009 Leadership Summit to be held in Savannah, Georgia, 14-17 January 2009 This unique leadership development program offers attendees a one-stop opportunity to develop leadership skills in their careers—and also skills specific to volunteerism in SLA. Seize this chance to step back from your day-to-day routine and engage in group learning and skill-building exercises guaranteed to push your thinking and advance your leadership and management skills. At the same time you'll have fun and build lasting relationships with other information professionals. Make a difference in your career and SLA!

23 Things Update-

By Christian Miller

We are getting close to having 1000 people working their way through the 23 Things!

As of today there are 1019 other SLA members that along with you have also committed to improving their technology skills by completing 23 Things. Keep working at it!

A few updates/reminders/suggestions:

• We have had our first publicly posted completion of 23 Things. Congratulations to Dianna Roberts from New Zealand! See how she did it on her blog.
• If you have completed the program, feel free to send me a link to your blog. I will post congratulations and examples of other completed efforts when available.
• Recently we posted an extension of the deadline for completion of 23 Things, now December 15. This is the cut-off for being recognized with a prize and certificate. The site will remain available for those that aren't able to finish, or who can't start the program at this time. Of course we hope you will be able to complete as soon as you can!
• Finally, please, spread the word and encourage other members to participate. Get a group of people from your chapter to work on it together, and motivate each other!

This really is a valuable program and we want to ensure that every person that feels the need to improve their skills is able to participate. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me

Bylaws Call-in Forum on Monday, 3 November

As reported last week, SLA's Board of Directors has approved a recommendation from the Bylaws Committee, and is referring to the membership for e-vote, changes to the SLA Bylaws affecting the composition of the board and the terms of its members.

SLA will host a 30 minute virtual Q&A session moderated by 2008 President-elect Gloria Zamora. This forum will be your opportunity to ask questions about the proposed bylaws amendments. Use the information found here to dial in.

For details and more information on the proposed changes visit the SLA Bylaws Information Center

Are you a member of the President’s Club?

The Recruit-a-Member Campaign runs from 1 October through 31 December annually- are you participating and helping to grow our association?

You know all about the many benefits at SLA that keep you knowledgable and competitive, so why not share your experience with your colleagues and grow your network at the same time?  The provided e-mail template is an easy way to reach out to potential or lapsed members. SLA has created a number of tools and tips designed to make recruiting new members fast and easy!

Take a minute to visit the Recruit-a-Member Web site and learn more about the prizes you can win and how you can become a member of the President's Club!  Get started today!

If you have any questions about the campaign, please contact SLA Director of Membership Rebecca Ellis.

Are you an SLA Lab Rat?

What is the SLA Innovation Laboratory? It’s a place where you can play and discover uses for the latest emerging technologies. The Laboratory offers a wide variety of Web 2.0 software learning tools to help you become more business savvy and technologically adept.

All you need to get started is your SLA user ID and password and you're on your way to becoming an Innovation Lab Rat!

How can I convince my boss that I should attend SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO?

Here are a few of the great reasons that you can use to convince him/her that attending the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO is a smart investment:

1. Costing less than other industry conferences, and offering more than 250 sessions, panels and keynotes, SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO is by far the best value for your money.
2. SLA is the premier organization for information professionals.  As the conference of the year, it's your best chance to learn about best practices, network to find solutions to information service challenges, and get hands-on technology training.
3. SLA’s conference speakers are the top industry experts. Pick the brains of the information professional community's foremost experts.  Get answers to your specific questions and exclusive insight into the technologies you use every day.
4. Education helps professionals work smarter with today’s smaller budgets, fewer resources and looming deadlines. Attending the 2009 SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO is the most cost-effective way to get the professional development you need. 
5. Investing in employees' education is the best way to reward top employees, keep morale high, drive innovation and show that the company is committed to the  growth of its valuable team members.
6. The INFO-EXPO is *the* place to meet with vendors, learn about new technologies, and comparison shop for information products and services.

Some things attendees from the 2008 SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO said when asked if they would refer a business associate:

• A great experience with many learning and networking opportunities.
• Attending SLA is valuable in identifying trends in the info industry, networking with other professionals, continuing education opportunities, discovering new vendors, hearing top notch speakers…
• Continuing education classes are excellent, conference programming session are very good. It's a great opportunity to look at/evaluate products, meet vendors and ask questions, network with colleagues…
• Essential for professional development in a rapidly changing field.
• Excellent conference programming and pre-conference workshops; great keynote speakers; many opportunities for networking; great array of exhibitors; many amenities such as the wireless lounge [and] computer access….. Excellent value for money.
• Excellent for keeping current with trends
• Good variety of topics covered, as well as in-depth coverage of future technological trends, hands-on workshops, focused pre-con classes, strong exhibitor hall….

Plan now to attend the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.  Registration will open in January 2009.  For more information about the SLA Conference go to the SLA Web site.

Notice to SLA Members: Bylaws Vote Begins 5 November

SLA's Board of Directors has approved a recommendation from the Bylaws Committee, and is referring to the membership for e-vote, changes to the SLA Bylaws affecting the composition of the board and the terms of its members.

The bylaws vote will begin 5 November and run through 24 November 2008. SLA will conduct a Q & A call-in forum on 3 November 2008 from 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. ET about the proposed amendments.

You may want to learn more about the proposed amendments and prepare yourself for an informed vote.

• Review the information on the amendment proposals and learn the details on the proposed bylaws changes by downloading the appropriate documents in the SLA Bylaws Information Center.
  
  
• Join the audio/web forum we've arranged so that members can engage in dialogue on these proposals. The call-in forum will take place on 3 November 2008. Details for participating are available here.
  
  
• If you cannot participate in the forum on 3 November, please e-mail your questions to Nancy Sansalone or call +1.703.647.4935.

Pursuant to the relevant provisions of SLA's Bylaws, the proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the members of the Association present and voting at the annual business meeting, Article XIX: Amendments (or via Action by Written Ballot, Article IV. Section 9)

Please visit the SLA Bylaws Information Center for complete details about the amendments and to cast your e-vote.

Three Information and Library Luminaries Inducted into SLA Hall of Fame

Legendary SLA Members from Boston, Caltech and The World Bank Recognized for Lifetime of Achievement and Lasting Legacy to the Profession

Three distinguished information professionals have been inducted into the SLA Hall of Fame. They are Dr. Toby Pearlstein, now retired director of information services for Boston-based Bain & Company, Dana Lincoln Roth, chemistry librarian at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and the late Sue O’Neill Johnson, World Bank librarian. All were honored for their work and contributions to the field of librarianship and information management at SLA’s Annual Conference in Seattle.

• Press Release on 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees
• 2008 Hall of Fame Video
• All 2008 SLA Awards Videos

"The SLA Hall of Fame is reserved for members who have contributed a lifetime of service to the profession. These three dedicated members have had an enormous impact on the association and on so many professionals whom they have inspired," said SLA Chief Executive Officer Janice R. Lachance. "I am pleased that their commitment is being recognized by their peers with this well deserved honor.”

Budgeting for the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO

Don't forget to consider the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO while creating your budget for next year. SLA has posted anticipated registration and hotel rates. Registration for conference and hotel will open in January 2009.   

In these difficult economic times, it becomes even more important for you to be up-to-date on the latest leading-edge products to improve your productivity, as well as the best practices that will allow you to enhance the services that provide to your employer. In the next few days we will be posting suggestions and talking points for you to use to convince your boss that you should attend SLA 2009 in Washington DC next June.   

Pennsylvania Chapters Merge

Effective 1 November SLA's Central Pennsylvania Chapter will merge with the Philadelphia Chapter.  The two chapters have discussed this potential merger informally for a number of years and started formal discussions within and between the two chapters over the past year.  The chapters have held joint membership and board meetings and there has been collegiality amongst the members.  The SLA Board approved this recommendation for merger during its October meeting and the merged chapter will retain the name of the "Philadelphia Chapter" going forward.

SLA's governance structure is designed to be streamlined and simple to adapt to changing demographics. Whether it is a chapter merger, or the development of a new unit to meet the current needs of membership,  SLA is your association, and here at HQ we work every day to adapt our services and structure to meet your needs.

If you wish to reach out and send a message to your colleagues in the Keystone State you can do so by contacting Central Pennsylvania Chapter President Beth Transue and Philadelphia President Rod MacNeil.