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Challenges and Opportunities for Information Professionals: A Bright Future Ahead Remarks by Janice R. Lachance, CEO, Special Libraries Association |
Thank you...Tom...for that kind and gracious introduction. It is a pleasure for me to be with you today...and have this chance to speak with you about some of the challenges and opportunities I see for information professionals today.
I also want to talk with you about some of the more interesting initiatives underway at SLA...including an extensive examination of the information profession and of the Association's place in the evolving information economy. And...most importantly...how SLA can best serve your needs.
Before I begin...however...I would like to thank you for the invitation to speak with you...and I would like to especially thank Tom Clark for his efforts in arranging today's event. I also want to thank our sponsor...Dow Jones...for their generous support of this meeting.
I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of this chapter to the Association. In addition to the outstanding work the chapter has done and continues to do...it has contributed two past SLA presidents...a number of board members...division officers...fellows...and former and current committee members.
For this and all you do...I want to thank you very much.
We live in a time of tumultuous change. The global economy...spurred on by rapid advances in communications and information technology...is changing the way we do business and transforming entire industries almost overnight.
You only need to compare the value of Ford...or General Motors' stock with that of Google...or Apple to understand exactly what I am talking about.
Nowhere is change more obvious than in the world of information and technology. That is why I would like to talk for a few minutes about the ways in which I see the role of information professionals changing and how I think this change will translate into opportunities for all of you and information professionals around the world.
But first...let me ask you a question. How many of you remember your first forays onto the Internet? Let me see a show of hands.
You may recall that back in the early days of the public's use of the Web...the user experience was very one dimensional...very flat. You could retrieve information and you could post it. You could send email and you could receive it.
Web sites were little more than brochures and online catalogues you did not have to wait for by snail-mail.
And...then...something interesting happened. Users.... along with like-minded programmers...developers...and a variety of other techie-types...began discovering the power of the Internet to amplify a single voice. It suddenly gave that voice substance...authority ...and reach.
Today...it sometimes seems like anyone with a computer and a mobile phone...or better yet...a video phone...can get airtime on CNN. Seemingly overnight...Wolf Blitzer and Christiana Amanpour had hundreds...if not thousands...of would-be colleagues and competitors across the globe.
We have come to characterize the extensive...multi-faceted... and collaborative nature of Internet communications today under the broad umbrella of social networking.
With regard to the Internet...the term social networking reflects pretty accurately the interconnection of millions of users through an array of applications such as; blogs...wikis...online reviews... podcasts...virtual worlds such as Second Life...and networking sites such as ... MySpace...YouTube...and Classmates.com.
And... we know these features of the post-Web 2.0... and soon 3.0... world are helping to drive its use...making the Internet an extraordinarily robust vehicle for personal and professional expression.
It is not surprising then that most experts agree that...whether at work...home...or on the go..."prosumers"...those who both produce and consume digital content... will continue to seek new more imaginative ways to participate... collaborate ...communicate... and influence online.
I would say there is nearly unanimous agreement already among most technology experts that successful organizations in the future will have to find ways to harness this collaborative creativity for the benefit of employees and customers alike...and for their bottom line.
Most organizations...ours included...are just beginning to experiment with meaningful social networking. What will it take for most of us to make the transition from business-as-usual...to business in a wired-in world? First and foremost...I believe it will take the unique knowledge ...experience...and vision of information professionals like you.
I do not believe it is an overstatement to say that without your leadership...without you becoming agents of change...most organizations will fail to develop and implement successful collaboration strategies for their customers and employees.
Let me give you a pretty startling statistic...at least it is startling to me.
In the most recent comprehensive survey of SLA members last year...more than 75 percent of respondents indicated they are likely or very likely to experience a rewarding sense of job satisfaction over the next five years. Let me say that again...more than seven out of ten information professionals surveyed said they expect to be find satisfaction in their jobs over the next five years.
How can info pros believe they will continue to be happy in their jobs when they know they will be coping with almost constant change? This is really an important question when you consider that most people do not naturally embrace change.
And...information professionals have faced a lot of change in recent years as your roles have evolved.
A recent study of twenty-four Fortune 500 companies by Best Practices found that nearly half of all corporate library resources are currently available electronically. About one in three of these companies now offer more than 90 percent of their content electronically. And yet...more than seven out of ten info pros say they expect to be satisfied in their job over the next five years.
Why do you think that is? I think it is because...while change is often fraught with peril...it also creates opportunity. Without question...the changing roles of information professionals at companies and institutions are creating opportunity like never before.
Today...you often find info pros imbedded in business units or in other strategic areas of an enterprise.
While...in the past...they may have responded primarily to requests for information and data....today they typically play an active role as collaborators with decision-makers inside their organizations; offering up insightful ideas and meaningful solutions even before they are asked for them.
These new roles and responsibilities are reflected in the various titles many of you hold. In SLA database...we more than 2000 unique job titles.
A few of these titles include: Knowledge Officer, Business Analyst Content Systems...Reference Attorney...Closed-Loop Marketing Analyst...Electronic Resources Coordinator...and Information Technology Data Architect.
Different titles...for different roles... in different organizations.
But there is one constant. When it comes to the information needs of an organization... no one can match the skills of the information professional. Many are finding they are becoming technology specialists as well as subject specialists.
This actually makes sense because... who is better qualified than an info pro to explain to a CEO or other senior management the advantages of one knowledge delivery system over another?
That is why in many organizations...info pros are becoming the hub of a wheel... playing an integral role in all decision-making and education practices surrounding them.
You know what quality information and valid data look like. You know how to gather it. You know how to evaluate it. And... most importantly...you know how it can and should be used strategically.
That makes you significant contributors to your organization's decision-making... and to its bottom line.
This view of the information professional as a contributor to the bottom line is supported by the most current data available from Bersin Associates which conducted an interesting survey a year or so ago. The firm surveyed business executives to determine how they learn... stay informed... and access timely information.
The results are quite interesting.
- While 71 percent of these executives felt they were well-informed... most admitted they devote a significant amount of time to searching for information.
- Seventy three percent indicated they spend 2 to 4 hours per week conducting research.
By taking into account the typical salary of a top executive... Bersin calculated that at least one thousand dollars per executive... per week... is lost in time spent on executives doing their own research. You do the math. How many executives does your organization have? AND...this figure doesn't begin to reflect the opportunity cost associated with these executives focusing on activities not directly tied to their primary responsibility of managing their companies.
In today's competitive business environment...understanding the value information professionals contribute to the bottom line is increasing...but so too are the expectations of them as these info pros assume more and more responsibility for information management inside their organizations.
For some... this is a chance to take center stage...to shine. For others...less accustomed to the spotlight....it is a time of great opportunity but also a time of significant change...and uncertainty.
But I want to be absolutely clear about this. No matter what you think of the changes sweeping through the information industry today...you do not face these changes alone.
SLA...is by your side...your partner...committed to your success and committed to providing you with the tools and actionable information you need succeed in this changing business climate.
So what ARE we doing to help? Many of you are aware that SLA has recently undertaken a far-reaching and thorough examination of the information profession...and the role info pros and the Association will play in the future.
This effort is a lead up to 2009...when the Association celebrates its centennial...honoring one hundred years of service to librarians and information professionals.
While it is appropriate and beneficial to look back at previous accomplishments on this type of anniversary, it is absolutely essential to use such a milestone to focus an organization's critical thinking and creative talents on what lies ahead.
That is why...working with a team of respected communications and research professionals led by the international communications firm ...Fleishman-Hillard...and supported by futurist Andy Hines of Social Technologies and Outsell...we will seek to define what the profession will look like in the next ten or twenty years. And we will learn what you need from SLA to continue to be successful.
While some have asked if the real purpose of this effort is to change SLA's name... I can tell you that one of our board members summed it up best when he said..."This is about a GAME change... not a NAME change."
Relying heavily on primary and secondary research...we will endeavor to look over the next several hills...to anticipate the roles librarians and info pros will choose to assume or be expected to assume in the future. Most importantly...we will seek to help you in every way we can to align your knowledge...experience...and skills...with the evolving expectations of the organizations of tomorrow.
Throughout this process...which we hope to complete by the middle of next year...we will encourage your input and ask your opinions. We will keep you up-to-date on our progress and consult with you at points along this path.
While this project is extremely important...it is not the only initiative SLA is pursuing on your behalf.
With information technology playing an increasingly larger role in the professional lives of info pros...SLA is committed to developing and enhancing our own technological capabilities. One of our goals is to investigate technology that will allow collaboration of members globally. And... we are doing just that.
This year we have began evaluating technology solutions...such as social networking...virtual worlds...and other collaborative tools we believe could significantly enhance the way you currently communicate with each other online. This is in addition to five wikis and more than 20 blogs we have created in recent months to encourage enhanced communication among SLA members.
We also recently launched our new Webex system that will make video and audio conferencing and training easier and more effective for units. We are currently piloting the system with several chapter and divisions.
The Association is continuing to make the SLA Web site more interactive and user friendly...and we will be training headquarters staff throughout the summer on the new Association Management System. This system will soon make it easier for unit leaders and headquarters staff to analyze member data more effectively and to communicate with you more efficiently.
While a primary goal of our technology efforts is to spur online networking and collaboration among members...there is an important secondary benefit.
We are creating a laboratory in which you can experiment with different collaborative tools if you are not already familiar with them. We believe this hands-on experience with technology in the risk-free environment offered by SLA can ultimately prove beneficial to you and your organizations.
As I think most of you know...we are continuing our significant commitment to the development of Click University that we believe offers great promise for valuable...easily accessible... and affordable online education for members.
I am pleased to report that in the first half of 2007... we have seen an increase in usage of approximately 300 percent from the same time a year ago.
In January... we launched our new Click University Certificates program in Competitive Intelligence. By partnering with experts in this specialized area... we have created a truly outstanding program focusing on one of the most sought after disciplines in information management today.
I am pleased to report that revenues from the CI program have... as of today... already surpassed by thirty percent the goal we set for the entire year.
I am also pleased to tell you about a new SLA member benefit. We have partnered with eBrary to make one thousand business...leadership...and management books available electronically through Click U for free to our members
Despite the Association's significant investments in new technology... enhancements to the SLA annual conference and INFO-EXPO...and improvements to member programs designed to enhance the value of your membership...I am extremely pleased to tell you that for the fourth year in a row SLA completed the year with a budget surplus. And...this year's surplus is approximately... one hundred and thirty thousand dollars... which will be dedicated to Centennial activities over the next 30 months.
Even though SLA's advocacy efforts do not always get the publicity I think they deserve...advocacy is another important way in which SLA is working on your behalf.
By speaking out on issues important to you and by speaking up for you and this profession...we are enhancing the value and stature of librarians and info pros inside the companies and organizations you serve.
This year...we have been involved in a number of important issues ...such as supporting no-fee access to online Congressional Research Services reports....responding to potential negative economic and policy impacts from the WIPO's Treaty on the Protection of Broadcasts and Broadcasting Organizations, ... and encouraging efforts to strengthen the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.
While involvement in each of these issues contributes to the public understanding of SLA and the information profession... SLA has been extremely aggressive this year in working to ensure that the proposed closures of a number of U.S. government libraries are carefully scrutinized and thought out.
And no plan has been more front and center in the past year than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's announced intentions to dramatically reduce services throughout its regional network of specialty libraries.
When SLA first became engaged in this issue... we were particularly concerned about EPA's intention to digitize information and data housed in these libraries without a well-thought out plan for doing so.
We had been told that information important to the health and safety of Americans had already been lost or destroyed as part of EPA's digitization process.
As a result...we raised this issue with Congress...and Congress responded.
Following a congressional hearing by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the proposed cutbacks...I met with representatives of EPA at SLA headquarters to discuss the matter.
During this meeting...EPA assured us that further closures and changes in its library network would be "frozen" as the agency works to develop and implement policies and procedures that would best serve the needs of the public-at-large and EPA scientists.
And... just recently...the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved two million dollars to restore the network of EPA libraries.
While the Committee said it approves of EPA's efforts to make environmental data collections available electronically, it does not agree to further library closures or consolidations without evidence of how the public would continue to be served by these changes.
As a result... the Committee expects EPA to restore publicly available library facilities in each region. It has directed the agency to submit a plan on how it will use this funding increase to reopen facilities and maintain a robust collection of environmental data and resources in each region by the end of this year.
SLA's advocacy efforts are not...however...limited to a particular country or a particular issue. I continue to remain active in United Nations'-sponsored activities concerning the future governance of the Internet.
As one outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society...WSIS... the Internet Governance Forum...IGF...was created and will meet every year through 2010 to discuss where the Internet is headed and how it should be governed. I attended the first IGF last year in Athens as your representative... as well as IFLA's... and work is already underway for the next IGF meeting in November where I will represent all five major U.S. library associations.
My primary goal in these talks is to ensure SLA members have as much access to a robust...organic... neutral...and valuable Internet as possible...as we realize it is the foundation of your work.
The importance of the free flow of information and the value of information professionals is a message I and your leadership have and continue to deliver throughout the world. In addition to the six chapter visits I made in the past year... I had the honor of representing you this year at numerous international events and meetings including the Software and Information Industry Association's Content Forum...The Perfect Information Conference... and the Transborder Library Forum.
SLA continues to be active at the annual IFLA conferences...where I have been named to the President-elect's Information Society Working Group, and will be speaking at the upcoming meeting in August on how library associations around the world can influence their elected officials.
We believe that living up to SLA's expressed goal of being a truly global organization is critically important to the future of this Association and we will spare no effort in achieving it.
I can say with confidence that I believe the long-term picture for info pros appears bright.
I know we can all site numerous examples of organizations that have closed their libraries or information centers because some senior manager was more interested in cutting costs than considering the very real ROI info pros provide.
No one can explain the value you provide to your organization better than you. While more and more executives are coming to recognize the value info pros provide...there is still work to be done.
That is why I believe it is critically important for you to continue educating senior managers about the significant contributions you make.
That is why you must regularly communicate the business case for the growth of your positions. And that is why you must never stop thinking strategically about your organization's goals and objectives...and the role you play in helping achieve them.
Ever since I joined the SLA leadership in 2003... I have repeated a quote from retired U.S. Army General Eric Shinseki many times. He is known for saying: "If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less."
But is it enough simply to adapt to change...even if it is done well? The Japanese have a term I like very much. It is..."Kie-Zen." Loosely translated...it means a continuing quest to do better.
In my view...that is the role of a change agent. That is the role of a leader. More than anything else...I believe info pros can develop this skill and have the ability to be leaders inside their organizations.
At a conference I attended last fall...a speaker was talking about the field of physics...and I apologize in advance to all of you who work in this discipline. He made the wry observation that progress in the field of physics is made one funeral at a time.
We at SLA are determined to make sure no one ever says that about this profession.
That is why the Association is doing all it can to provide members with stimulating conferences...important networking events...relevant and easily accessible learning opportunities...such as Click U....and a safe supportive, risk-free environment for experimentation of all kinds ...in order to help you develop the right mix of skills and experience you need to be the innovative leaders of tomorrow.
You have the talent...the skill...the desire...and the commitment to succeed in the changing information industry. And...just as importantly...you have the opportunity to make it so. This is your time. I know you will make the most of it.
Thank you very much.
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