Special Libraries Association Recognizes Military Librarians with
2007 Professional Award

Over 300 Info Pros Honored for "Serving those that Serve" and Going Above and Beyond "Call of Duty"

Alexandria, Virginia, USA, 23 August 2007 - During its Annual Conference in Denver, the Special Libraries Association (SLA) honored a group of professionals who work tirelessly to be sure that the men and women serving to protect their countries in the Armed Forces have the information services and resources they need both abroad and at home. The 300-plus members of the SLA Military Librarians Division were awarded the 2007 SLA Professional Award, which recognizes a special event, major achievement, or specific significant contribution to the field of librarianship or information science.

"This year, with a war being fought on more than one front, and the resources of the United States Armed Forces stretched very thin, the SLA awards committee would like to recognize and reward the amazing work being done by SLA members in the Military Librarians Division for their special efforts to go above and beyond the proverbial "call of duty," said Awards Committee Chair Ethel Salonen. "They are present everywhere; from battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq to military bases in California, and at Navy Yards in Norfolk. We are so proud of the efforts of the SLA military librarians to support the troops as well their families both around the world and around the corner."

The members of the division represent all of the military branches. These librarians work in a variety of settings, including academic, medical, scientific, and field posts. Librarians have worked with troops at home and abroad for decades. The Military Librarians Division of SLA has promoted the advancement of its members and the betterment of military library science since 1953.

Today, military librarians continue to fulfill their vital role by providing information to individuals, officials and organizations that are making life-or-death decisions every day. Librarians also support military personnel and their families with resources, special programs, and other assistance. For many of the troops on deployment, military librarians deliver a little slice of home. One of the more important things military librarians do is provide an escape from the daily rigors of combat with books, libraries, and information services to serve those in the line of fire.

"The work that these librarians do, on a day-to-day basis, allows those who sacrifice so much to protect and serve the citizens of the US to have what they need- even when they don't yet know they need it," said Janice Lachance, chief executive officer of SLA. "These consummate professionals are the epitome of excellence in special librarianship, providing high levels of customer service to their patrons, regardless of location, the limited resources available, or the other hurdles that need to be overcome. So many are unaware of the good work that they do and I am so happy to be able to honor all of them in this way."

About the Military Librarians Division of SLA
The Military Librarians Division (MLD) of the Special Libraries Association brings together members from all the U.S. military services, the Canadian Combined Armed Forces, other national military services, Defense Department agencies, contractors and vendors, and anyone with an interest in military librarianship.

Its goals are to promote the profession and to assist its members in developing core competencies of knowledge management. The division sponsors programs at SLA annual meetings and holds its own annual meeting, the Military Libraries Workshop. It also creates channels for networking and committee participation and publishes a newsletter, The Military Librarian.

More information is available at http://units.sla.org/division/dmil/AboutMLD.htm.

About SLA
The Special Libraries Association is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves more than 11,000 members in 75 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic, and government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. For more information, visit us on the Web at www.sla.org.

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