Ethel M. Salonen is the Director for Public Sector Sales, Primark Financial Information Division (1998- present).
Past Employment: Knight-Ridder Information Inc.: director, U.S. academic sales (1995-1997); director, New England sales (1993-1995); Dialog Information Services, Inc.: senior account executive (1989-1993); Arthur D. Little, Inc.: manager, research and life sciences libraries (1987-1989); manager, research library (1985-1989); information specialist, research library (1980-1985); University of California at Riverside: reference librarian, physical sciences library (1978-1980).
Education: M.S. (library science), C.W. Post College, Long Island University (1978); M.A. (liberal studies-applied sciences), State University of New York at Stony Brook (1977); B.A. (earth and space sciences), State University of New York at Stony Brook (1974).
SLA Member Since: 1978
SLA Chapter Activities: Boston Chapter: logistics committee member (1999-2000); logistics committee co-chair (1990-1993); nominating committee chair (1991); president (1987-1990); Sci-Tech Committee chair (1986-1987); logistics committee chair (1984-1986); program committee member (1983-1987, 1990-1993).
SLA Division Activities: Information Technology Division: government relations committee chair (1990-1992).
SLA Association-Level Activities: 2000 conference planning committee deputy chair (1998-2000); nominating committee chair and chair-elect (1996-1998); board of directors (1993-1996); H.W. Wilson Company award committee member (1996-1997); San Antonio Conference planning committee member (1989-1991).
Other Professional Activities: New England Online Users Group (NENON) advisor (1995-present); New England Online Users Group president (1992-1995).
Awards & Honors: Knight-Ridder Information, Inc. Sales Awards; Arthur D. Little, Inc Director's Excellence Award; University of California at Riverside University Librarian's Service Award; Beta Phi Mu
Publications: Authored a number of training sessions while at Knight-Ridder Information, Inc. Presented "Using Dialog Throughout the Product Life Cycle"at the 1991 and 1995 Dialog Updates and the 1997 Tokyo Update. Authored a number of "Guides to Reference Sources"while at the University of California at Riverside. Authored a "Library Unit Collection Development Plan"and a "Bibliographic Instruction Manual"for the Management Education Institute of Arthur D. Little, Inc.
Salonen on the Questions
Ethel Salonen
What is the most critical issue(s) facing SLA today and how do you, as a candidate for the Board of Directors, see yourself formulating policies addressing those issues?
SLA is an organization undergoing massive transition. The prime issue for the Association is to serve the diverse needs of its member base including membership retention, allocating resources to programs that further the profession, integrating technology advancements into the day-to-day activities of running the association, marketing the value of librarians to all organizations, serving the needs of a global membership, and accomplishing all of this under strict financial guidelines. Another key issue for SLA is to assure its' recognition as a leader within the association community.
My role as Chair, Chapter Cabinet, would include working with the global Chapter leaders in identifying ways in which the Association can meet their goals in supporting the needs of their Chapter members. As a voting member of the Board, I must take a global perspective on how the Association will meet the challenges that accompany the above mentioned issues.
How do you see technology affecting the way SLA provides services to its members?
SLA in the past 24 months has done an incredible job listening to the needs of the membership and has changed the way it does business. We are becoming a truly "virtual" association with a service-oriented website, a web-based Annual conference-planning program, and attention to utilizing advanced technology. The Annual conference has been greatly enhanced by the use of advance technology. The Association has successfully identified new technology companies as additional exhibitors and sponsors for our conferences and unit programs. Members can now update their profiles on the website. Unit leaders will soon have the opportunity to access their member lists and access up-to-date address labels for program and newsletter mailings. The leadership discussion list, the Candidates' chat room, the Executive Director's chat room, and unit web sites are examples of the Association embracing technology and applying them to everyday member services.
Where do you see the information profession going in the new millennium?
There are incredible opportunities for our profession in the years to come. The internet economy has enhanced our value. Librarians know how to identify, evaluate, manage, and deliver content. We know how to utilize technology to further the information mandates of the organizations we represent. We utilize networking skills to further our careers and identify new methods of practice in delivering information within our organizations. Many of us attend conferences that are aligned with our organizations to understand how our customers use the information we deliver. We will continue to seek and work with mentors and mentees and will continue to attend Chapter, Division, and regional programs to hear our colleagues discuss their achievements. Although some information centers have closed, resulting in an information "solution" that is aligned with desktop delivery, our profession has responded by moving forward and working with management to ensure it is done right!
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