Bill Fisher is Professor, School of Library & Information Science, San Jose State University, San Jose, California (2000 - present)
Past Employment: Associate Dean, Graduate Studies & Research, San Jose State University (1997-2000); Visiting Professor, School of Library, Archivcal & Information Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (1997); Professor and Associate Director, School of Library & Information Science, SJSU (1988-97); Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean, Graduate School of Library & Information Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, California (1981-88).
SLA Member Since: 1982
Education: Ph.D., Library & Information Management, University of Southern California (1981); MLS, State University of New York, Geneseo, NY (1974); MA, History, University of Arkansas (1973); BA, History/Political Science, University of Arkansas (1972)
SLA Chapter Activities: San Andreas Chapter: 20th Anniversary Planning Committee co-chair (1999-2000); past president (1997-98); president (1996-97); president-elect (1995-96); various activities including programs, nominations (1989-95); Southern California Chapter: past president (1987-88); president (1986-87); presdient-elect (1985-86); various activities including programs, long range planning (1982-88)
SLA Division Activities: Business & Finance Division: conference program planner (1991-92); bulletin associate editor (mid-1980s); Library Management Division: leadership committee (1999-present)
SLA Association Level Activities: 2002 Annual Conference Planning Committee chair (2000- present); Membership Task Force member (2000-present); Scholarship Committee chair (1996- 1998); Special Committee on Competencies for Special Librarians member (1995-96); Board of Directors [Chapter Cabinet] (1993-95); President's Visioning Committee chair (1992-94); Special Presidential Commission on Recruitment, Ethics, and Professional Standards (1991-92); Professional Development Committee chair, co-chair, member (1986-93); Statistics Committee chair, member (1984-87)
Other Professional Activities: Membership and a variety of activities in: American Library Association; Association of Library & Information Science Educators; American Society for Information Science & Technology; California Library Association; Council of Graduate Schools
Awards & Honors: Fellow, Special Libraries Association (1998); Mark Baer Award, San Andreas Chapter (1997); Member Achievement Award, Southern California Chapter (1989)
Publications: numerous books, presentations, and articles in journals such as Special Libraries; Library Trends; Library Administration & Management; Journal of Library Administration; and Bulletin of the Medical Library Association.
On the Questions:
What are the keys to the growth of the information profession, its stature and its image?
I believe our profession will be as good as the people who are part of it--both now and in the future. By providing our members with opportunities for continuous growth and development, and encouraging our members to be creative and to see "beyond the box," we will remain in a position to be the knowledge leaders of our respective organizations. Our document, Competencies for Special Librarians of the 21st Century, provides a blueprint for practicing information professionals, as well as those just coming into the profession. If each of us continues to support those competencies and keep our focus on the needs of our respective organizations, our stature and subsequently our image will flourish.
What is your vision for the association during your time in office, and what legacy would you like to leave behind? What is your strategy to implement this vision?
Our next board will have an opportunity to reshape the Association as we begin to work with a new Executive Director and the changes recommended by our current task forces. It will be a time to try new things, however, as an Association we should not lose our focus on why we are here and those we serve. I would like to see SLA become even more focused on its members. As president I would work with the Association's membership and staff to insure SLA is known as an organization that welcomes and embraces our new members, champions and supports our current members, and respects and learns from our veteran members. Working cooperatively with all units of the Association and keeping our members' needs foremost on our agenda will make this happen and be a worthwhile legacy for any member of the board.
Explain a career-related accomplishment and how its outcome will relate to your success on the board of directors.
I believe my previous activities on our board of directors, our Visioning committee, and our Competencies committee, as well as my participation with similar efforts such as my current involvement with our Membership task force and our 2002 Conference Planning committee, reflects on my ability to work cooperatively with a diverse group of people, help keep the group focused, and produce something of value. One of the major roles for our president is to keep the board on track addressing the business of the Association; I believe my record of accomplishments demonstrates my capabilities in this area.
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