Contact:
Cara Battaglini Schatz
P : 703.647.4917
cara@sla.org
SLA Sends Letter Opposing Proposed Closing of Sandia National Laboratories Research Library
Alexandria, Virginia, 1 November 2007 - Special Libraries Association (SLA), a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners, has asked that Sandia National Laboratories reconsider its plans to close their research library due to budget reductions. In a letter to Sandia's President and Director Thomas Hunter, dated 23 October, SLA called the decision short-sighted and dangerous.
SLA urged Sandia, which for fifty years has been instrumental in the field of nuclear weapons as well as homeland security, intelligence, energy and non-proliferation issues--issues that are vital and contribute to the well-being of this nation--to reconsider its decision and take into account the potentially harmful effects of scientists conducting important research without access to the most up-to-date and relevant information available.
"With this proposal to reduce library services, Sandia's leadership is making it more difficult for the organizations' policymakers to leverage the extensive knowledge found in high quality, accurate information. This information is critical to make important decisions on our nation's National Nuclear Security, and has the potential of significantly compromising the public's health and safety," wrote SLA CEO Janice Lachance.
Lachance expressed SLA's concern with the lack of a continuity plan, asking Sandia how it plans to offer information resources to employees who rely on the library to effectively conduct their work, to produce accurate and timely products to meet the mission of Sandia. Many of these employees are researchers and scientists who rely heavily on accurate, timely, and precise information from the library and its staff to contribute to the continued success of Sandia, and Sandia's obligation to the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Lachance asked, "What plans and procedures, if any, have been developed to bridge any possible change? Providing access to online journals is certainly a poor, at best, solution to the extensive collections and librarians' intellectual capital...It is a grave mistake to believe that a library is no longer necessary because we each have internet tools at our fingertips. The huge world of information is not refereed, it is not gauged, and it is not interpreted."
Lachance cited the findings of an Accenture survey released on 4 January 2007. The survey identified wide-ranging insights about the way information is gathered, used and analyzed. The report found that middle managers spend more than a quarter of their time searching for information necessary to their jobs, and when they find it, it is frequently wrong. The survey also found that managers spend up to two hours a day searching for information, and more than 50 percent of the information they obtain has little or no value to them. Forty-two percent of respondents said they accidentally use wrong information at least once a week.
"I shudder to think what could happen if Sandia researchers accidentally used wrong, or even not the most accurate, information on a weekly basis," said Lachance. "I ask that you and your executive team re-examine this decision to close your research library. If you look closely, I believe you will see that this move will not save money in the long run, and may cause irreparable damage in the future. A distinguished research institution like Sandia should maintain an information center, run efficiently with qualified staff for the benefit of the institution."
About Sandia National Laboratories (from www.sandia.gov)
Since 1949, Sandia National Laboratories has developed science-based technologies that support our national security. Today, the nearly 300 million Americans depend on Sandia's technology solutions to solve national and global threats to peace and freedom. Sandia is a government-owned/contractor operated (GOCO) facility. Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin company, manages Sandia for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
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.
Note to Editors:For more information on SLA's public policy initiatives or to schedule an interview with SLA's CEO Janice Lachance please contact Cara Schatz in the PR office at 703.647.4917 or cara@sla.org
- Accenture study referenced above.
- 23 October Letter from SLA to Sandia President Thomas Hunter.
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