Move Hailed as Key to Attracting Public Sector Info Pros Worldwide
Alexandria, VA, USA, December 7, 2004 – The Special Libraries Association (SLA) has announced the creation of a Government Information Division, the 25th professional interest network within its membership. The SLA Board of Directors approved the new unit during its meetings held last month at SLA Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia USA.
SLA member Richard Huffine, Manager of the National Library Network for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, led the petition drive among SLA members to create the new division. “I saw a need for stronger community among the staff of libraries and information centers within the U.S. government,” Huffine said of his initial inspiration. “But the fact remains that government information professionals at national, provincial, and local levels around the world, as well as those who care about or depend upon government information and data, should come together to build community and strengthen one another.” Huffine and John Butsch, Project Manager at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wirtz Labor Library, will serve as interim co-chairs of the division.
The new SLA Government Information Division was created to bring together those interested in the value, organization and management of government information sources with those responsible for the provision and improvement of government information services. It will serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas and information on the value and use of government information and government libraries and information centers.
Janice R. Lachance, Executive Director of SLA and former Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, sees the new division as a critical factor for generating greater professional focus on government information services. “Having worked in the public sector, I know the value of information professionals to government employees and to citizens. SLA has always sought the participation of government information professionals around the world. Creation of this new SLA unit simply gives us a mechanism for working together to improve information management in the public sector.”
The SLA Government Information Division has begun to accept members effective immediately. Queries should be directed to membership@sla.org until the division’s Web site is operational.
About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves more than 12,000 members in 83 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic and government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. Visit SLA on the Web at www.sla.org.
CONTACT: John Crosby Chief Communications Strategist, +1.703.647.4916, or jcrosby@sla.org.
Richard Huffine (left) and John Butsch, Co-Chairs of the new SLA Government Information Division, attended the SLA Board of Directors meeting on October 22, 2004, when the new SLA unit was formally established.
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