SLA Blog

Recent Events in India

During th Asian Chapter Conference in New Delhi, there was a serious terrorist attack in Mumbai Many calls and e-mails have been received by staff attending the conference as well as at headquarters Mumbai is in another part of the country and from all information gained anecdotal at the conference, no one's family or coworkers were injured or killed Security throughout the country is heightened as it would be in your own country under similar unfortunate circumstances

Chicago is "Special"

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley declared May 27th as "Special Libraries Association Day" in that city!  Read more about the declaration on the Illinois Chapter site.

It's great to hear that even more people will now know about the expertise that information professionals possess and the extent of our contributions in the workplace.

NY Chapter Launches Year of Centennial Celebrations

As the director of buisiness development for SLA, I regularly travel to attend industry events and learn more about our vendor partners and the content industry.  While recently attending the SIIA Information Industry Summit I was able to also attend a lively kick-off for the year-long SLA Centennial Celebration hosted by our New York Chapter on January 29.

The evening was a celebration of SLA's first 100 years with the speakers representing the past, present and future of SLA. Following an introduction by the NYC Chapter President and five-year SLA member, Michelle Dollinger, 30-year member John Ganly presented the Mayoral Proclamation

 from New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The proclamation announced Thursday January 29, 2009 as Special Libraries Association Day in New York City. David Bender, SLA’s executive director from 1979 to 2001, also spoke to the attendees describing his leadership at SLA and his great experiences with the information profession.

Following Bender, I personally and humbly delivered remarks on behalf of SLA’s CEO Janice Lachance who could not attend the event. Janice highlighted the ties the association has had to New York City throughout its history while pointing out recent improvements to SLA member benefits such as the recent announcement that our non-certificate, online courses offered by Click University will now be free (and I believe I heard an eruption of applause from the room- even if I prompted it).

Of course the panel was the highlight of the evening as past, present and future presidents of SLA fielded questions about the association. The session titled Four Association Leaders Discuss SLA's Past, Present and Future included four prominent members within SLA’s leadership—Gloria Zamora (SLA President 2009), Anne Caputo (SLA President-Elect 2009), Pam Rollo (SLA President 2005/06 and NY Chapter member) and Susan DiMattia (SLA President 1999/2000 and NY Chapter member). The questions kept the presidents on their toes and all gave insight to the members on what they can do to stay valued and relevant during this economic crisis.

Along with continuous learning through SLA’s Click University and networking with your fellow info-pros, they all stressed that YOU must learn to promote yourself to your organization. Info pros must be equipped to prove their value to their employers.

The question of the night was… "But, HOW do we do that?"

Our recent Alignment Findings show that organizations must understand the importance of the quality of information, efficiency of dissemination and the level of analysis that info-pros provide is unique and crucial.

Additionally, the perception of an information professional is emphasized in making resources credible and easily accessible, facilitating good decision-making, and saving time and money. The panelists asked the audience to be prepared with specific statements to show how their work influences the organization to make the best business decisions.

Is a great exercise for anyone to do, and you never know when you might be asked!

Thus, I challenge you to fill in the blanks below to help you market yourself from within your organization:

• I can give you fast and credible information because I…

• This company needs me to help you make critical business decisions through my…

• This organization will lose money without my…

Comment on this post with your responses and tell SLA, your peers, and your bosses how you are important to your organization!

 

 

 

Reporting from India... SLA Asian Chapter Meeting Attracts 400!

Approximately 400 information professionals from throughout Asia attended the SLA Asian Chapter three-day conference in New Delhi, India, 26-28 November. The theme of the conference was "Shaping the Future of Special Librarians; Beyond Boundaries"

Distinguished speakers presented from the US, Canada, the UK as well as Asia. Libraries in Asia are diverse, and the use and adaptation of new technology is varied. It was great to see all the students, professors, information professionals and their strategic partners all come together and have meaningful discussions surronding the current "state of affairs" as well as what is on the horizon for the profession and SLA.  

SLA President Stephen Abram was the keynote speaker.  When news of Stephen's visit to India became known, he was invited to address in person and via video conferencing a consortium of libraries in Asia and librarians in Pakistan.

The message of how SLA can assist in lifelong learning and professional development was woven into the addresses of all SLA members presenting.  The SLA Board of Directors actions to make SLA dues more affordable in emerging economies along with the acceptance of the Indian rupee as an accepted currency helped in our membership recruitment efforts with 45 joining on-site and many more indicating they intend to join upon return to their offices.  

One company, TATA Consultancy Services, had more than a dozen info pros join in one fell swoop! The Director of the Information Center Sushma Aurora supports her team and instructed each as they were to participate in a Click U course at least once per month. At an off-site meeting with senior executives of TATA, it was evident the importance they place on their information center and how their services contribute to the overall success of their corporation.

Building upon the success of this mega-event for the chapter, Asian Chapter President Debal C. Kar said that smaller meetings are planned in each country where the chapter has even one member in 2009 in celebration of the SLA Centennial. The conference organizer was P.K. Jain assisted by a number of other chapter members.

Check the chapter's Web site later for more details.

India Terrorist Attacks Did Not Impact SLA Asian Chapter Conference

As most have heard, during the Asian Chapter Conference last week in New Delhi, there was a deadly and serious terrorist attack in Mumbai. Our most sincere condolences go out to all of the victims from last week's events. 

 

Many calls and e-mails have been received by staff attending the conference as well as at SLA headquarters. Mumbai is in another part of the country, and from all information gained anecdotally at the conference, no one's family or coworkers were injured or killed.   

 

Thank you to all those who have contacted staff or members with concerns about our safety while at the International Conference of Asian Special Libraries, 26-28 November 2008 in New Delhi, India.  Security throughout the India is now heightened as it would be in your own country under similar unfortunate circumstances.  

 

Despite the sad news of the attacks, the conference was really well attended and the energy about the future of SLA and the profession was contagious! I will be writing a second post to come later on some of the news and excitement that came out the conference. 

More pics from SLA Europe Breakfast

Our friends From FreePint enjoy breakfast with SLA Europe

(L to R:  Katharine Schopflin, William Hann, Robin Neidorf, Marcy Phelps) 

2009 SLA President Gloria Zamora speaks about SLA HQ initiatives....

    

(L to R: 2009 SLA President-elect Anne Caputo, Gloria Zamora, 2008 SLA Europe President Penny Leach)

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.

Zamora Visits UCLA Student Group

SLA President-Elect Gloria Zamora visited the Southern California Chapter this week as keynote speaker at their scholarship fundraiser.  The chapter also arranged for Gloria to speak to the 30 students of the UCLA Student Group at a luncheon in between their classes.  The chapter arranged for the unit tabletop exhibit with appropriate SLA membership and program materials.  The semester has just begun at UCLA and faculty advisor David Cappoli plans another student group meeting next month with a panel of information professionals.  Involvement with student groups is a great opportunity to introduce aspiring information professionals to special librarianship opportunities and SLA.