Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love
SLA's 91st ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Independence to Interdependence: The Next Phase in the Information Revolution
Philadelphia in the year 2000 is where our past and future converge for the Ninety-first Annual Conference of the Special Libraries Association. In our many and varied roles as information professionals, we have a unique relationship with history. Not only have we experienced firsthand the changes wrought by the information revolution, particularly in the past century, but we are pursuing new ways to harness information and communications technology not only to access and present the knowledge which fuels that information economy, but also to preserve it for the future. In effect, at the dawn of the next millennium, we are helping to create tomorrow's history today.
Nowhere is the growth and maturity of the information revolution more evident than in its movement toward interdependence. Within our organizations, we are applying technological solutions which eclipse physical and geographical boundaries to bring together internally and externally generated information for our own users. Within our professional sphere, interdependence manifests itself as we recognize the benefits of interacting at many levels with fellow information professionals to contribute to a world economy driven by information. On a larger scale, communications advances of the twentieth century, beginning with audio and video transmissions and culminating in the interconnectivity afforded by a worldwide computer network, have propelled the information revolution and changed world. In the twenty-first century, we can expect that the rapid flow of information will continue to highlight interdependence--among people, communities, organizations, governments, and throughout the world. As information professionals, we truly are in the vanguard in this next phase of the information revolution.
The theme of this conference, "Independence to Interdependence: The Next Phase in the Information Revolution," held in a pivotal year, thus recognizes the dynamic and evolutionary nature of the phenomenon known as the "information revolution" and looks forward to the next stage in its development. Those changes will affect all of us, but we will also be in a unique position to affect those changes.
2000 Conference Program Planning Committee
Lynn Mc Kay - Chair
Ethel Salonen - Deputy
Linda Morgan Davis
Rod MacNeil
Lucy Rowland
Susan DiMattia - Board Liaison
Philadelphia Conference Session Tracks
Philadelphia in the year 2000 is where our past and future converge for the 91st. Annual Conference of the Special Libraries Association. In our many and varied roles as information professionals, we have a unique relationship with history. Not only have we experienced firsthand the changes wrought by the information revolution, particularly in the past century, but we are pursuing new ways to harness information and communications technology not only to access and present the knowledge with fuels that information economy, but also to preserve it for the future. In effect, at the dawn of the nest millennium, we are helping to create tomorrow's history today. To help guide you through the many offerings at the 2000 Philadelphia Annual Conference, and to help you expand your competencies, the conference committee and division program planners have developed five general tracks that you may consider when developing your conference activities:
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Look for these symbols through the conference sessions.
Advocacy for the Profession
Information Management
Management
Professional Development Technology
Closing Gala
Wednesday, June 14
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
"A Celebration of Time" Philadelphia is a place where past, present, and future converge. Time has seen this venerable city grow from its status as the center of western social upheaval to a hub for the new economic revolution. Philadelphia is rooted in the past but aiming for the future, as is the information profession. And in this new millennium, it is only fitting that we come together to celebrate time in a venue steeped in timeless elegance. The Crystal Tea Room is a beautiful downtown landmark and historical host to many dazzling events of yesterday. Join us as we honor contributors to the association and celebrate the future of the SLA. The Crystal Tea Room is conveniently located in the famous John Wanamaker Building, across from the Philadelphia Marriott and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
General Session
Monday, June 12
9:00 a.m - 10:15 p.m.
David Talbot, founder, editor, CEO, of SALON magazine will be interviewed by Terry Gross, of National Public Radio (NPR) in front of convention attendees on Monday during the General Session at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Under his leadership, SALON has garnered web awards, press accolades and a large growing readership. SALON was named "Best Web Site of 1996" by Time magazine, and Talbot was named as one of the fifty people who matter most on the Internet. Talbot has written for such publications as the New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and Interview. Prior to starting SALON, Talbot revived the San Francisco Examiner's Sunday magazine Image. Terry Gross, the interviewer for this event, has a gift for engaging her guests with an unusual mixture of confidence, genuine interest, with just a touch of vulnerability. On NPR's daily afternoon program, "Fresh Air", Gross has interviewed some of the most prominent figures of our time. In 1999, American Women in Radio and Television named Gross a winner of the Gracie Allen Award in the category National Network Radio Personality. You won't want to miss this exciting and thought-provoking event!
SLA's Hot Topic Program
SLA is pleased to announce the second year of this new program concept for the 2000 Philadelphia Annual Conference. SLA will conduct a series of conference wide programs that address issues and concerns of major importance to the information profession, or segment(s) thereof. Topics covered in these sessions will be current issues not addressed by traditional division programming. Plans call for one session each day--Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday--of conference week. Please check the SLA web site, 2000 Philadelphia Annual Conference for more details.
SLA's Association Series
This is a new, first-time, series for the SLA annual conference. SLA, in cooperation with other SLA units, will conduct a series of conference-wide programs that address issues and concerns of major importance to the association, or segments(s) thereof. This series differs from the Hot Topic series, which is designed to address issues of importance to the profession. The Association Series is designed to address issues of importance to the association. Plans call for one session each day--Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday--of conference week. Please check the SLA web site, 2000 Philadelphia Annual Conference for more details.
Strategic Technology Alliance Series
This year's Strategic Alliance Series is a joint effort between SLA and the conference exhibitors, aimed at helping association members and meeting attendees better understand technology and its beneficial impact on the their and place of employment. Meeting attendees will learn from technology experts as they demonstrate a strategic and interactive look at trends and technologies designed to make information professionals the knowledge leaders for the next millennium.
What's New?
SLA's Virtual Exhibit Hall
The SLA Virtual Exhibit Hall is our recent addition to highlight the products and services available in our virtual association. The Virtual Exhibit Hall is a new virtual association service that allows attendees to view products and services of annual conference exhibiting companies all day long and year-round. Conference attendees are urged to use the site to pre-plan their activities, browse through the events, and catch up on exhibitor information.
There will be four booth levels to provide attendees with a virtual experience. The booth levels range from a standard level one booth to a premium level four booth. All conference exhibitors will receive a listing on level one virtual booth. This booth (standard booth) includes the company name, booth number, and a product category. A level two booth includes a link to that companies web site and all the features of level one. A level three booth includes company name, address, booth number, product category listing, company description, link to a company's web site, and product page. A level four booth includes a company name, address, phone and fax number, booth number, product categories, company description, link to company's web site, contact names, press releases, and many other features. Booth levels are up to each individual company.
This is an exciting new adventure for SLA and conference attendees. Make sure you visit the new SLA Virtual Exhibit Hall at **************** to get the most up-to-date information!
The Personal Scheduler
Get up-to-date information on the 2000 Philadelphia Annual Conference with our new, online, user-friendly database!
You can use this scheduler to select the events you'd like to attend, schedule your personal time at the conference, and print out an itinerary to take with you to Philadelphia.
Search the online conference database
URL*********************
By event--Enter keywords or use an alphabetical list
By track--Search by the suggested audience for each event
By times--Select times and choose from a grid of times and dates
By keyword--Search by topical area of each event
By SLA Units--Search by SLA Units
Or, select all to display a list of all events
Other features include:
Creating a personal itinerary
Adding and removing events
Choosing from events with conflicting times
Scheduling personal time
Printing your schedule
Take Advantage of Professional Development Courses
Benefit From Upcoming Learning Opportunities
SLA's Strategic Learning and Development Center has partnered with SLA members and information professionals around the world to affect positive change through learning and development. In Philadelphia, a wealth of professional learning opportunities will be offered to information professionals. Once again, SLA's Management Competencies Institute (MCI) will be conducted. The MCI concentrates on five subject areas vital to the effective operation of an information center. It is designed to increase job effectiveness and professionalism for information professionals who have taken on managerial roles. Attendees of this year's annual conference will have the chance to attend three of the five units:
Leadership Skills
Technology & Applications
Marketing & Public Relations Skills
Conference attendees can develop and/or expand their knowledge base through Continuing Education Courses sponsored by SLA headquarters. Courses will focus on topics such as knowledge management, web-based research, and the use of advanced technologies. Specialized CE courses will also be offered by SLA's many divisions. The Career Advisory Service is available free of charge. Experienced SLA members will serve as counselors to help shape your career. This confidential service is by appointment only. The Employment Clearinghouse is a yearly resume referral service designed to help information professionals increase their awareness of available positions. In addition, Job Search Workshops will be available to help you make the most of your job search. For more information, please contact the Strategic Learning & Development Center at 1-202-939-3679 or send an e-mail message to learning@sla.org.
Don't Miss the Exciting Exhibit Hall (needs Ribbon Cutting party)
This year at SLA's annual conference in Philadelphia, more than 300 companies and organizations will be exhibiting, representing 500 booths. These exhibits feature the latest and most up-to-date resources available on the market today. With past and current exhibitors such as LEXIS-NEXIS, EBSCO, Dun & Bradstreet, Factiva, H.W. Wilson, WestGroup, to newcomers such as Fatbrain.com, powerize.com and Webforia, the 2000 exhibit show will have something for everyone. Join SLA President Susan DiMattia and SLA Executive Director David R. Bender and xxxxxx, from Silver Platter Information for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony that will officially open the exhibit hall on Sunday, June 12. Entertainment will be provided by the Philadelphia Mummers. Remember to stop by the exhibit hall at the end of the day for a Welcome Cocktail Reception with light snacks and cocktails. Exhibit hall hours are as follows:
Monday, June 12, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
SLA Marketplace
In the past you have visited the SLA Marketplace for books, videotapes, Information Outlook, Who's Who etc, This year, the Marketplace will not only be a marketplace of products, but of ideas as well. It is your opportunity to meet authors from SLA Publishing, listen to headqurters staff members initiate discussion on various topics, watch demonstrations of various virtaul assocaition services or just chat with the several SLA staff members who will be on hand. Hours for the SLA Marketplace are as follows:
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About Philadelphia
Experience a city that is truly dynamic, as well as one of the most historic destinations in the world. History comes alive every day in America's birthplace where you can walk the same cobblestone streets America's founding fathers once strolled. In Philadelphia, you will be at the crossroads of our nation's heroic past and our exciting future. With more than five million people living in a nine-county area, Philadelphia, "The city that loves you back," is one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in America. In 1994, Conde Nast Traveler magazine ranked Philadelphia "America's Friendliest City." And, according to a recent FBI crime index, Philadelphia is one of the safest of the nation's twelve largest metropolitan areas. Additionally, Philadelphia is one of the cleanest cities in America. Center City is a local term for downtown Philadelphia, which stretches from Vine to South Streets and from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River. The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in the heart of Center City, two blocks east of City Hall, with an entrance at 12th & Arch Streets and a new entrance at 12th & Market Streets. The City of Brotherly Love is America's first great city, and at times, you'll vividly feel the influence of the eighteenth century while learning about a group of bold Americans forging a nation at Independence Hall. From 1790 to 1800, Philadelphia was our nation's capital and many of the buildings used by the Congress and the Executive Branch are open for you to explore.
Enjoy the warm weather in June (average temperature (F) 72) and take advantage of Philadelphia's endless outdoor recreational opportunities. From walking to biking, to hiking, you will find trails and scenery to your healthy heart's content. And with six professional sports teams and a multitude of college teams, this is a sports-lovers' paradise. In between the action, spend a leisurely day in some of the most beautiful shopping districts and largest malls in the country. Remember, there's no sales tax on clothing.
Voted by Condé Nast Traveler as the Best Restaurant City in America, you'll want to enjoy some of Philadelphia's world-class restaurants such as: The Garden, Striped Bass, Coco Pazzo, and the Vega Grill. For those looking for more casual dining, try out Hardshell Cafe, Seafood Unlimited, Siam Cuisine Thai Restaurant, or Upstares at Varalli. If you are craving a little more music and atmosphere, try the blues at Warmdaddy's restaurant, "opera" seven nights a week at Victor Cafe "Music Lover's Rendezvous", jazz at Zanzibar Blue, or 70s and 80s dancing at Polly Esther's. You can also enjoy a full complement of performing arts, from classical music and opera to ballet and modern dance, and from theatrical productions to film festivals.
Major Attractions in Center City (Downtown Philadelphia)
Convention Center District--Chinatown; The Gallery; The African American Museum.
Historic Waterfront District--Society Hill, an eighteenth century waterfront neighborhood on the Delaware river; Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's beautiful waterfront park area featuring an assemblage of historic ships and submarines.
Old City Cultural District--The Home of Betsy Ross; eighteenth century row homes; Elfreth's Alley (America's oldest residential street); Independence National Historic Park; Independence Hall; The Liberty Bell and Franklin Court.
Parkway Museum District--Academy of Natural Sciences; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; Franklin Institute Science Museum.
Washington Square District--Antique Row; Library Company of Philadelphia; Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Rittenhouse Square District--Civil War Library and Museum; Shops at the Bellevue; Academy of Music; Philadelphia Stock Exchange; The Shops at Liberty Place; DisneyQuest.
Tours
For your enjoyment, SLA will be offering a city-wide tour of Philadelphia. Additional tours will be listed in the SLA Preliminary Conference Program (mailed in early March).
Museums
Though you'll be busy attending conference programs, make time in your schedule to visit
some of Philadelphia's major attractions. Philadelphia has everything to offer from a small town to a large metropolis.
Philadelphia offers more than one-hundred museums to suit every taste. From the internationally renowned--such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Franklin Institute of Science Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences Museum, Museum of American Art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts--to those focusing on special interests, there are a wide variety of tours and experiences awaiting you. Here's a sample:
Independence Hall. Located at 6th and Chestnut Streets see where the Declaration of Independence was signed and adopted in 1776, and where the Constitution was written in 1787.
Liberty Bell. Located a few blocks away from Independence Hall, you'll see the Liberty Bell, an international symbol of liberty.
Franklin Court. Located a few blocks away from the Liberty Bell, Franklin Court celebrates the industriousness of Benjamin Franklin.
Declaration House (Graff House). Located at 7th and Market Streets, visitors will find a reconstruction of the home where American statesman, Thomas Jefferson, lived and wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Day Trips
- The Franklin Mint Museum
- Chaddsford Winery
- Brandywine River Museum
- Brandywine Valley Tours
Shopping
Philadelphia offers tax-free shopping on clothes and Center City, the city's central shopping district, boasts more than 2000 retail and department stores such as Strawbridge's and Lord & Taylor. Between these two stores is The Gallery, the largest urban mall in the nation, with over 200 stores.
Dining
Two of the top one-hundred restaurants in the country named by Esquire magazine are located in Center City. Ten of the top one-hundred are in Philadelphia. So whether your out to get a quick bite or out on the town, there is a specialty restaurant for all palates.
Entertainment
At night the city is abuzz, within two blocks of the convention center you'll find one of America's premier cultural districts, the Avenue of the Arts. South Street offers a diverse nightlife scene. A spectrum of dance clubs and bars provide entertainment with comedy, jazz, and rock.
Concerts
One of the greatest things about summer in Philadelphia is the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Located in Fairmont Park (near 52nd St. & Parkside Ave.), minutes from Center City, the center is one of the nation's largest outdoor performance venues and a renowned cultural jewel offering live summer entertainment. Long-known as the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the center also features jazz, pops, family entertainment, contemporary artists and more.
Sports
With seven professional teams, there is always something to cheer about. Philadelphia ranked second among "America's Most Livable Sports Cities" by The Sporting News. The summer months bring on America's Favorite Pastime (baseball) and the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 76ers.
Transportation
Getting in and around the Philadelphia area has never been easier. The city's subway and bus system is safe, clean and convenient and runs throughout the downtown area. The city's taxi system is also reliable and cheap compared to other Eastern Seaboard cities. The Philadelphia International Airport is less than a twenty minute ride from downtown.
Want to Know More?
Information about Philadephia is also available twenty-four hours a day at: www.libertynet.org/phila-visitor.
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