Special Libraries Association Announces Green Initiative
International Organization for Information Professionals Seeks to Provide Members with "Knowledge to Go Green"

Alexandria, Virginia, 11 January 2008 - The Special Libraries Association (SLA), a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners, today announced it will take the first steps and begin efforts to become an environmentally sensitive organization at the membership, board, volunteer leadership, and staff level.

"The time has come for every organization to think this way, and with global climate change and other environmental issues becoming an increasing concern for our members, SLA is ready to do what WE can to make a difference," said SLA CEO Janice R. Lachance. "As an international organization with more than 11,000 members, working together, we hope to have a positive impact on the future of the environment."

Lachance continued, "Making this commitment is an important step for the association, however we also hope our members will capitalize on this effort to create a 'ripple effect' inside their homes and the organizations they work for. There are countless ways for info pros to do their jobs in a manner that would demonstrate this commitment. The theme for this initiative is 'SLA: Knowledge to Go Green,' and our members, knowledge workers across the globe, are just the right people to take this theme to heart and use their collective power and knowledge to make a real difference."

SLA Headquarters has already begun implementing green practices in its day-to-day operations, such as eliminating unnecessary printing of documents and replacing disposable cups and utensils with flatware and ceramic coffee mugs and dinnerware. Many of the paper products such as paper towels and napkins used at the Alexandria HQ building are now ordered from environmentally friendly companies that use recycled materials. Staff members, on their own, have begun an aggressive recycling program, and the association's management is now encouraging the use of public transportation with various incentives and rewards. Additionally SLA has committed to purchasing carbon credits to offset all staff travel for events throughout the year.

Former Vice President Al Gore spoke in Denver at the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO in June 2007 and strongly encouraged members and staff to take a more serious look at our actions and operations and to take action to help the global environment. Following the Annual Conference, SLA Staff and the SLA Board of Directors were approached in 2007 by the members of the SLA Environment & Resource Management Division who asked that the association investigate strategic ways SLA could "go green" in 2008 and beyond.

The first place SLA expects to see a significant chance to make an environmental impact is the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO in Seattle in June 2008. Seattle is well-known as a pioneer in green initiatives and has been recognized for its citywide environmental efforts. In addition to what the city offers, such as public transport and green hotels, there are a number of ways for attendees to make their own conference experience a greener one. SLA will be working with INFO-EXPO exhibitors and conference sponsors as well as attendees on how they can participate in this initiative by offering options such as providing the opportunity for them to purchase their own carbon offsets, and supplying free wireless Internet access throughout the conference center, allowing attendees to access hand-outs electronically and eliminating the need to print thousands of paper copies.

About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) 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.