First, let me first tell you how deeply honored I am to be standing here as a candidate for President-Elect. In these tumultuous times for the world, our nation, and our industry and profession, SLA is facing serious issues and challenges. I am running because I know I can make a strong contribution and will give it my best. As a small child – a VERY small child! I remember President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address to the country and his words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” He made a lasting impression on me with that statement and it evolved into part of the professional creed by which I live.

Although currently an academic science librarian, I worked previously at the RAND Corp. and started a library for a computer company. So please don’t label me as just an “academic”. I know what it means to constantly justify your library’s existence, or budget.

When I moved to academia 6 years ago, I vowed not to slow my pace, but to bring the corporate/special librarian work ethic and knowledge to academia. I am fortunate to lead 35 incredible professionals and para-professionals. During my tenure as team leader the library has gone from no electronic journals to over 16,000 today and we were one of the very first libraries in the country to link to our electronic journals through our online catalog. I have led the transition from paper to electronic processes in all areas of the library. We have effectively advanced the library, its image and outreach to all its customers. I want to do the same for SLA.

For the past 6 years I have written a regular column in “Searcher: The Magazine of the Database Professional,”. My column covers trends developing in our profession and the realities of how working librarians implement enhancements and improvements. Writing the column has helped keep me on top of the issues facing the corporate librarian today and advance my library.

Corporate libraries have been closed or seen budgets slashed. Librarians need to learn how to deal more effectively and politically in our organizations if we hope to have information services survive bad economic times. SLA must 1) expand outreach to corporate executives and institutional decision makers; 2) teach librarians and information professionals how to position themselves as full-service information managers in their organizations; 3) better help members not just cope with rapid technological changes, but lead the charge within their institutions; 4) Create SLA student chapters in every school of library and information studies. We must do a better job bringing in and mentoring our new members.

Member recruitment is every member’s concern. The SLA network of professionals is the greatest librarians/ Information professional network around. Chapters and divisions need to ensure students and newer members have mentors to help with career advice and involve them in this great network. We all must reach out to students and newer librarians to convince them that SLA has the network they need.

SLA must offer members the best support for professional growth and development throughout their careers including

into the ranks of upper management. Conference attendance is down due to costs, competition and tight travel budgets and we must stem that tide and provide more value and contain the attendance costs to members. We need to

- broaden our membership to include people who are information professionals, but who may not have the traditional “L” word in either title or background.

When I ran for Division Cabinet Chair-Elect in 1999, instead of detailing my long list of SLA leadership

positions and qualifications, I chose to get that message

across with humor. If you were there I am sure you might

remember the “Top Ten Signs You’ve Been in SLA a Long Time.” Well, recently a colleague told me that of all the campaign speeches she had heard over the years, mine was the only one she remembered. So, if it worked once, here I go again:

More Top 10 Signs You Have REALLY Been in SLA a Long Time:

1. Some of your friends are only known by newer members as names on their awards and scholarships.

2. YOU and many of your friends have all been a named Fellow.

3. Your MUCH older friends are being named to the SLA Hall of Fame.

4. You remember why SLA Headquarters moved to Washington, DC.

5. You find yourself saying I remember the last time the conference was in NYC or San Antonio.

6. You remember the last SLA name change discussion.

7. You know the name of the organization SLA bought its headquarters building from. (Answer: American Psychological Association)

8. You know why SLA is unlikely to ever have a meeting in Hawaii again.

9. You know that Didi, Kitty and Mimi are not the first names of the Dixie Chicks.

10.You know that Didi Pancake is not the name of a

roadside diner!

If my friend was right, that list should ensure you remember me. Beyond the humor though, I hope you will think of me as a person with vision, strong listening, leadership and people skills, and as someone who has a strong commitment to this association. I would very much like the opportunity to serve SLA’s members in the future. I see our possibilities as limitless. I hope we can work together to make a bigger, better and more responsive professional association. Thank you