Clarification and Perspective on Name Change by Ruth Wolfish

A few points to consider regarding the vote to change the name of SLA to Association for Strategic Knowledge Professionals

• Voting will take place today (16 November) through 9 December  
• The vote is YES or NO to change the name from SLA to Association for Strategic Knowledge Professionals.
• The vote is on the full name, there is not an acronym.
• If we do not change our name now, another name will not be submitted.

I have been a professional Librarian for over twenty years in a multitude of positions. I have been called: Account Manager, Reference Librarian, Manager of Education & Training, E-journals Coordinator, Electronic Content Coordinator, and Client Services Manager.  Regardless of my title, I have always been a librarian, that is, I’ve always been someone who manages and supports strategic knowledge.

I have also had several titles within SLA such as Pres. Elect, President, Division member, and Chapter Cabinet Chair Elect. Regardless of my titles, I’ve always been a dedicated member. However I have seen our organization’s members struggle to find jobs in the midst of a period when strategic knowledge is critical and we have precisely the necessary skills.  I have also watched our chapters struggle to grow their member base and leaders. Let’s expand our tent to include all Strategic Knowledge professionals.

The latter will bring additional support to our chapters, more ideas to our conference program, and more jobs to our members. I have been told many times in my career “You don’t look like a Librarian”.  What does someone who knows how to quickly find the exact answers to questions that are being asked "look like?"

Comments

[Chuck]

You state that, "If we do not change our name now, another name will not be submitted".
Excuse me but didn't they say that the other two times they tried to change the name?

[Lynn McBee]

Sometimes standing still and resisting trends that seem persuasive just because they are new and suggest progress often prove that trends are short-lived. Land is finite as are librarians - since Alexandria Library days of old. Stand still and let this latest name change trend pass - Librarians.

[jim schwartz]

Professionals or Amateurs?

The name change that includes the words knowledge professional does not make sense. If you go through a list of occupations, there are numerous knowledge professionals: accountant, barber, cook, dancer, engineer, farmer, grocer, hair dresser, illustrator, jeweler, locksmith, mechanic, nurse, etc. All of these occupations require knowledge and those that have the knowledge are professionals not amateurs.

While I was speaking with a cab driver, he said he had extensive knowledge of various cities where he has worked. He also said that he was once a bartender and had to know how to mix many kinds of drinks. At the bar where he worked, there was a piano player who said he was just an amateur but the cabbie said he played like a professional. There was also a vocalist who said she was a professional but the cabbie said she sounded like an amateur.

[Anne Mintz]

In 2003 when we voted to change the name to Information Professionals International, it came very close to passing. Why wasn't that name an option this time? It certainly reflects what we do.

[David Hook]

@Anne Mintz:

The problem is that IPI did not get enough votes in order to pass in 2003. If SLA were to put that option up for a vote again, some of those opposed would feel that the board is having the membership vote on the same name over and over again until it eventually passes.