SLA Blog

An SLA 2011 Recap: Blogs, Videos, and Information Outlook

Few conversations that started at SLA 2011 ended with the conference. There's a ton of follow-up content on the Web, and you need only scan the (re)tweets from @sla2011 to consume reels of conference highlights.

The upcoming September issue of Information Outlook will include an overall recap, but in the meantime, below are several of the numerous highlights out there. This list is designed to grow--if you'd like a post included, shoot me a message at jwalsh@sla.org and I'll add the piece:

• Amy Levine's "Chasing SLA" for Legal Division Quarterly
• Alyson Avery's experience (Local Arrangements Co-Chair for Chicago 2012)
• Chris Cooper--Reflections from an Early Career Conference Award (ECCA) winner
• Deborah E.B. Keller on the Goverment and Military Unconference
• Hazel Hall - SLA Europe Information Professional of the Year
• Jamie Marie Keller's Conference Report for the Florida and Carribean Chapter
• Jen Wiley's "SLA 2011" (a student member)
• Jill Hurst-Wahl's "James Kane and Loyalty"
• Jill Hurst-Wahl's "Quick Wrap-up" for the Upstate NY Chapter
• Kama Sue Siegel's "SLA in Philly: One Librarian's Perspective"
• Lassana Magassa's summary of "Creating Groupies: Info-Pro Guerilla Marketing"
• Laura Woods' "Networking the American Way" for Legal Division Quarterly
• Lisa Chow's "SLA 2011 Conference Highlights from a Rising Star"
• Natalia Madjarevic (an ECCA winner)
• Ned Potter, ECCA winner's VIDEO
• Sam Wiggins (an ECCA winner)
• Sara Batts (a 2011 SLA Rising Star)
• Stephen Abram's "Getting Out in Front of the Curve" (slides)
• Zena Applebaum's recap for 3 Geeks and a Law Blog

SLA is an international organization.

Question #5: SLA is an international organization. How can SLA involve and reach out more to members outside of North America?

Hal Kirkwood
Candidate for Director, 2012 SLA Board

SLA prides itself on being an international organization of information professionals with chapters around the globe.  Discussions are held on international topics, sessions are presented focused on international resources, and some members from these non-North American chapters come to the annual conference.

It all feels superficial to me.  If we are truly to become international we must create and strengthen a global community of information professionals.  We have the tools and technologies. Now more than at anytime in the past, we can reach out and communicate, connect, and share with a colleague on the other side of the globe.  Technology is not the hurdle.

Our attitude is the hurdle.  We have to think globally.  We have to think differently.  And act accordingly.

SLA could host semi-annual global forums online using a mix of instant messaging, Skype, virtual environments, and web-based conferencing.

SLA and the divisions should continue to build upon the Click U portal for asynchronous instruction and learning.

SLA could work with the North American chapters and divisions to make an even greater effort to bring info pros from around the world to the annual conference.  This could then facilitate perhaps a conference within the conference, where these members present and highlight their successes and challenges.

There needs to continue to be development of international conferences (there have been a couple so far)..including holding the SLA Annual Conference in a non-North American city. Even if it means 'not' holding a conference in North America for a year so that members can save and plan for it.  This can only strengthen our depth of international connection and committment if we, the North American information professionals and librarians, actually go to these locations...to expand our perspective...and to experience the world out there across the oceans and borders; east, west, and south.

SLA and its North American members, if we are serious about being an international organization, must discuss and consider these issues.  We need to think about overreaching, and pushing ourselves...pushing our colleagues...pushing our way out of our comfort zones to create an even more connected association of international information professionals.

 

Is SLA an International Organisation/Organization?

Candidate Question 5: SLA is an international organization. How can SLA involve and reach out more to members outside of North America?

Finally, a hard question to answer and an important one. I don't know that the answer I give here is the right answer or even on the right track. What I do know is that this is a question that requires the input from our non-North American members and leaders.

While writing  Next-Generation Corporate Libraries and Information Services  and  talking with colleagues in Australia and the United Kingdom my eyes were opened. Information professionals in different countries face similar professional challenges.

• Communicating Value
• Getting and Retaining the Right Position
• Access to the best resources for continuous education and networking.

 

Working with our non-North American colleagues in the context of SLA forces us to face a couple of central challenges: Communication and Understanding.  The communication challenge stems from cultural and language differences.  Understanding is a more complex challenge.  SLA must work to understand what our non-North American members and leaders need.  Are resources needed to help members join and retain membership in SLA?  What are the barriers to SLA membership? Is it cost, is it value for investment, is it justification to upper management?  Or is it simply a question of members asking Why? What's in it for me?"

SLA leaders we must make the conscious effort to ask the correct questions. We must also listen carefully so that we can work towards addressing the issues that our non-North American members face. Assumptions will get us in trouble.

Challenges exist for local meetings for chapters in Australia/New Zealand and other similarly geographically spread out Chapters. SLA must understand the continuous need for these members to connect and keep the tools that meet their needs in working order. In addition to what does work, we must seek new opportunities that are affordable and practical. Listservs, webinars and Skype calls are just a few methods that may be useful.

Who knows what will help the members connect and continue their education? Our members reiterate that education, networking and advocacy are the key reasons for joining and retaining membership.I have no doubt that SLA can provide the tools and opportunities necessary to provide engagement, and advocacy in the international membership. The key to success is remembering SLA is more than an established North American organization – SLA is a growing International Organisation.

Constance Ard
Answer Maven
Candidate Chapter Cabinet Chair-Elect