*Note: The following is from our archived collection of older documents, and may not reflect the most current information.
January 12, 1999
Charlotte, North Carolina
Focus Group Minutes
The overall goal of the focus group discussion was to exchange ideas on the rapid changes that are occurring within the information industry and how our profession is coping with these changes.
Major Topic Addressed:
- Partnerships
- Professional Development
- Image, identity crisis
- Name of the Association
- Value of the profession
- Technology
It appears critical for the Association to continue to build strong partnerships both within the profession as well as among constituents outside our immediate sphere. Several law librarians expressed their support of the services of the Legal Division and the Association. However, not many individuals can belong, participate or be active in two overlapping Associations. Perhaps, through partnering with AALL and other law related organizations, SLA could become ever stronger in this field. In forming a partnership, SLA needs to explore opportunities which will provide our profession more grounding in three areas of concentration; technical theory, information theory and business theory. We need to partner with universities to challenge them to look at the "need to train us how to be of service to a corporation or institution rather than being completely skill oriented."
A lengthy discussion ensued on delivery methods for professional development opportunities. This discussion ranged from providing desktop access to broadcasting conference/meeting presenters. It was the feeling of the group that more distance learning opportunities was a must. Individuals, especially in small staffed libraries, needed easy access to development activities. The importance of CE programs was discussed but was that they had to be offered in their "backyards" to be geographically attractive. As geographical distances within a chapter often prevents members from attending many worthwhile experiences, perhaps the Association could provide greater assistance in assisting with local workshops. The Association needs to explore a greater variety of delivery methods. One might be working with universities which have established distance learning networks and using them as a broadcast tool. Web access and delivery while beneficial, will not solve all the problems. Distance learning had some appeal, but at least one librarian admitted that she preferred "face-to-face" learning programs rather than web-based sessions. We need more interactive experiences. Conferences and meetings are most useful for their networking and idea exchange opportunities.
While it was accepted that stereotypes may be founded in truth and often times revealing positive notions, it was felt that we as a profession continue to ask - "Who are we?", "Are we professionals?" and "What is our role?" Most of the discussion centered around the thread of "How do we present ourselves to our management so that they are understood?" Various SLA programs (ranging from research to professional development) were discussed. It was agreed that when management understands our dollar value, they will better value us and our role. Our goal must be "what can I do for you?" SLA needs to take a role in assisting colleges offering MBA's, in having their graduates better understand the information's competitive advantage. The publics' perception of the profession will probably never be completely accurate nor is our perception of other professions. However, the Association does have an obligation in helping to narrow the gap.
Most of the attendees agreed that the name of the Association was not descriptive enough to really tell outsiders who we are. While any clarification of library may be as generic as Kleenex, it still is a worthwhile word to be included within our name. Care needs to be given so that any change is not an "in" name today and "out" tomorrow. Changing names and titles is a crisis in itself. No suggestions were put forth.
Our use of technology will enhance our delivery of services both to our immediate users as well as those in distant (global) locations. We need to be able to master more rapidly the changes being made in technology. In sharing a number of things happening within the Association, such as the new software, excitement was voiced. The "members only" section of the website received a favorable response.
Additional issues which were touched upon but didn't result in any detailed discussion were: globalization, intellectual property rights, research and government relations. Of these topics, globalization received the most attention. An explanation of a number of SLA's global activities was shared focusing primarily upon chapters and Global 2000.
RSS
Feedback form
