SLA Blog

Last Day to Vote in the Centennial Video Contest

Vote by midnight tonight in the SLA Information Professional of Tomorrow video contest!

All SLA members can view the submitted videos here. Once you have watched all 16 of the videos, you can vote for your favorite videos using the ballot here. Voting will end on March 31, 2009, at 11:59pm (EDT).

All SLA members can view the submitted videos here. Once you have watched all 16 of the videos, you can vote for your favorite videos using the ballot here. Voting will end on March 31, 2009, at 11:59pm (EDT).

SLA booth update

Spending time in the SLA booth at a conference is always time well spent, getting the feel of what issues are affecting members and non-members especially in these difficult economic times.  At Computers in Libraries yesterday I chatted to old friends and made new ones. The topics discussed most were dwindling budgets, job security, benefits of SLA membership and SLA's annual conference in DC this June.

Which product or service is of real value depends on the individual's needs.  A school librarian was fascinated by the Innovation Laboratory which she saw as a really useful tool for the various school libraries for which she is responsible in her state. The Click U educational opportunities, many of which are now free to members, also attracted interest.

The diversity of the SLA membership astounds many non-members so we were able to encourage many to attend the SLA 2009 Annual Conference and INFO-EXPO in June to find out first hand what our members do and make use of the networking opportunities at the conference. We gave out the Exhibiting Vendors CD to local Public Librarians who, although are unlikely to get a full registration authorized, saw how they could still gain valuable information about the latest products and services offered by the conference exhibitors.  I hope they take advantage of the opportunity this year when the conference is in DC.

Some members kindly offered to post information about the upcoming annual conference on their discussion lists. Promotion coming from somewhere other than SLA HQ is so much more meaningful. If anyone wants a few lines to post please contact Jeff Leach.

Finally there was great interest in the Centennial Showcase set up in the booth. If you don't have the opportunity to see it at CIL, don't miss it at the annual conference in June.

The Whole Wide World (of Information) In Your Hands

If you haven't seen this TED talk that's making its way around, you MUST take the next 8 minutes to watch it!  This wearable device looks like it will change everything about how we get information about our surroundings. 

How will librarians figure into this scenario?  Comment away!

-Brandy King, MLIS at the Center on Media and Child Health

Career Connection…are you prepared?

Career Connection combines the power of the Web with the power of the face-to-face meeting! Don’t miss out on the hottest job opportunities and meet face-to-face at the 2009 SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.

You need to understand what you should do before, during and after Career Connection…and then follow through.

Before
• Develop a strong resumé- Listen to Podcast, “Creating Powerful Resumé” by Marshall Brown, Marshall Brown & Associates
• Get or make business cards
• Research the organizations attending Career Connection
• Develop a 30-second commercial about yourself

During
• Introduce yourself and shake hands
• Dress appropriately
• Ask intelligent questions
• Focus on what you can offer
• Leave your resumé and card with each representative

After
• Take notes about the conversation
• Follow up on commitments for more information
• Send thank-you notes

Your small investment of time and effort—before, during and after—might very well turn into an opportunity you would not otherwise have had. 

Don't forget… to register for the SLA conference in Washington, D.C. from June 13 to June 17 while the Early Bird prices are still in effect. Until April 3, all members of SLA can register at preferential rates. See you in D.C.!

 

SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO…can you afford not to be there?

Did you know…

If you purchase a one-day  member pass you can attend the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO. The one day pass is available to SLA members at the low fee of US $295. You will receive all of the following benefits…
 

* Admittance to INFO-EXPO
* Non-ticketed Networking Events
* All General Sessions
* Career Connection- FREE SEMINARS 

 Check out the FREE seminars in the Career Connection sponsor by Marshall Brown & Associates.

Writing a Resume that Gets Results!
9:00 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.
15 June 2009
Renaissance Hotel, Room 3
Limited Seating- Non-ticketed event

Interviewing Tips and Techniques
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
15 June 2009
Renaissance Hotel, Room 3
Limited Seating- Non-ticketed event

Developing a Job Search Strategy
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
16 June 2009
Renaissance Hotel, Room 3
Limited Seating- Non-ticketed event

NOTE: Full Descriptions are located in the online planner.

This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues and connect with employers and exhibitors. Don’t miss out on this premier event!

Are you unemployed?...and need to renew your membership

If you are unemployed or have been cut back in hours, take advantage of SLA’s lowest membership dues for only US$35 available to anyone earning less than US$18,000 per year.

The Meetings Industry and You

Recently, I attended a meeting called "Leading the Way...A Brain Trust for Success."  This meeting, presented by the Professional Convention Management Association, consisted of about 40 planners and suppliers discussing the current economy and its impact on the meetings industry.

Because of the state of the economy, you may have been hearing a lot of negative things about meetings and conventions.  As a counterpoint, let me say that I believe we need meetings now more than ever!   Face-to-face time is valuable to any industry, during both good and not-so-good times.  Meetings drive new ideas, and new ideas mean added value to your knowledge and services.

SLA is committed to keeping our meetings relevant and focused on education and learning.  While there will be some fun activities centered on the Centennial Celebration, the primary reason for the SLA conference is education.  With more than 200 sessions, there will be educational opportunities for everyone to benefit from.  To review this year’s sessions and continuing education courses, check out the online personal planner.

Association Meetings and Revenue
Do you know that meetings like the 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO account for more than 40% of SLA’s operating income?  Without the conference and other meetings, we would be unable to continue providing a lot of the services we offer.  Membership dues typically do not cover the costs of doing business at an association.  Meetings bring in sponsorships, in-kind gifts, and registration revenue to help offset those costs. 

The Meetings Industry and Localities
Did you also know that conferences and conventions bring a lot of local tax revenue to the cities that host them?  A conference the size of SLA’s brings in roughly $10 million for the host city.  This amount includes everything from hotel taxes to the convention center rental fee to restaurant taxes to cab fares.   Can you imagine what local municipalities would lose if meetings were cancelled?  Schools, government, and services all would be affected.  

What Can You Do?

1. First, visit the new Web site of the “Meetings Mean Business” campaign. This all-encompassing site is an excellent source for campaign updates, press releases, key data on travel industry statistics and the value of meetings, and industry guidelines for meetings and events.
2. If you want to help keep America meeting, learn how to spread the word:
   • Send a letter to your representatives in Congress.  It’s easy to do. You’ll find a draft of an e-mail letter you can use or edit as you see fit.  The Web site will send your letter directly to your representatives in the House and Senate.  In a matter of minutes, your voice will be heard!
   • Sign the petition to “Keep America Meeting.”
   • Follow one of the many other suggestions on how to take action!
3. Attend meetings and conferences.  We sincerely hope you will be meeting with us in June at the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.  On the SLA Conference Connections blog, you’ll find tips on how to convince your boss that you need to attend as well as reasons you should attend. 

Conferences, conventions, and meetings affect us all.  I hope you’ll be able to continue to support SLA and its efforts to keep meetings informative, educational, and relevant.  We look forward to seeing you in June! 

Questions?  Need more information?  Please feel free to send me an e-mail at kfoldvik@sla.org.  

SLA Vendor Industry Search

As you all recently received your January/February issue of Information Outlook, the Preliminary Conference Program for the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO and you also received the SLA Industry Vendor Search CD.

The SLA Industry Vendor Search is available from a link on the SLA home page but this CD allows you to download the search to your desktop. It’s a unique resource that enables SLA members to search for products and services within the information industry.

In this economy we are all being asked to evaluate the resources and tools we purchase to do our jobs, and many times we are asked to justify the benefits against the cost. 

This database of products and services gives you important information about the companies you use and their competitors. Perhaps its time you check out the other services available and get the best price for your organization?

SLA Centennial Video Contest: View and Vote for Your Favorites

Voting is now open in the SLA Information Professional of Tomorrow video contest! Celebrate SLA's Centennial year by casting your ballot for your favorite video in the Student and the Professional category.

All SLA members can view the submitted videos here.

Once you have watched all 16 of the videos, you can vote for your favorite videos using the ballot here. 

A few things to keep in mind:

• Voting will end on March 31, 2009, at 11:59pm (EDT).
• Winners will be announced on April 7, 2009.
• View the videos as much as you would like, but members may only vote once in each category.
• You will need your SLA membership ID to cast your ballot.  If you've forgotten yours, not to worry! Instructions on how to retrieve it are included on the voting ballot through the link above.
• In case of a tie in either category, members of the SLA Centennial Commission and Video Contest Sub-committee will choose the winner(s).

100 Journals for 100 Years

In anticipation of SLA's centennial anniversary, the Biomedical and Life Sciences Division (DBIO) asked its 680-plus members to cast their votes for the most influential journals in biology and medicine over the last 100 years.

The poll results, which are listed in alphabetical order, offer information professionals a compendium of working titles that provide the key literature for DBIO's clientele. It features a balanced assortment of journals in each of the following areas: clinical medicine and allied health sciences, molecular and cellular biology, and natural history.

Panels consisting of DBIO experts in each area were recruited from leading universities, medical research centers, and biotechnology corporations in the United States, Canada, and Australia to help design the poll. Each panel developed a series of voter preference questions comparing journals that fell within its areas of expertise.

The poll included the leading titles of today as well as titles going back more than 100 years. Only journals of original research and professional practice, as opposed to review, methods, or semi-technical trade journals, were eligible for inclusion.

At the DBIO business luncheon during SLA's Centennial Conference in June, certificates will be delivered to the publishers and editors of the top 100 journals. Following this, the "DBIO Top 10" and the "Journal of the Centennial" will be recognized in special presentations.

For more information about the poll and the awards presentations, contact Tony Stankus.

Costume research? No problem.

The Broadway revival of West Side Story is also a Librarian Story.  Read in this recent New York Times article about how the quest for historically accurate information led to, ahem, a librarian.

In the end, a librarian saved the day, but I was impressed by the diligence of the assistant costume designer who searched from library to library for the information he needed to get Officer Krupke's uniform just right.

All in a day's work.