Welcome to the Knowledge Exchange
By John Latham
This is the first column I have written as the knowledge builder of the new Knowledge Exchange. In January, SLA unveiled the Knowledge Exchange (formerly the Information Resources Center). The KEx is the first unit to be launched under SLA's new "Structuring for Strength" initiative, which is designed to develop the skills of information professionals and increase awareness of the critical role they play in a knowledge-based society. The KEx now reports directly to the executive director and comprises the knowledge builder (formerly director, information resources), information integrator (formerly information specialist), and the webmaster. By making the KEx directly responsible to the executive director, we are making a strong statement to other CEOs of the importance we give to the information gathering function in an organization.
The mission of the KEx is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge within SLA's global community and, with the guidance of the association's research committee, to support the creation and sharing of innovative research (see below).
One of the goals of the KEx is to develop Virtual SLA as the best possible vehicle for the exchange of knowledge within SLA's global community. This community already exists but it has not been developed to the point where it is an invaluable tool for all staff, members, and our information profession colleagues to exchange knowledge with ease and as a matter of course. To achieve this we will make best use of current and future technologies and promote the benefits to be obtained from this exchange of knowledge. The KEx will continue fulfilling the IRC's role of preparing and maintaining more than forty information portals; providing interlibrary loans, reference, and referral services; and maintaining CONSULT Online, a directory of SLA members serving as library consultants. The KEx is now responsible for the popular Career Services Online, which provides the searching and posting jobs' function and the Virtual Advisors, a Careers Information Center and the Career Connection facility at Annual Conference.
We intend initially to develop best practices databases, message boards, discussion lists, and chats for the benefit of SLA members. Currently more than 100 SLA discussion lists provide a much-used vehicle for exchanging knowledge, but it is not an ideal medium for everyone. We will be looking into ways whereby the information from all these resources are brought together and easily accessed from one source. This will include setting up an Extranet for SLA leadership. The Extranet will isolate the information that is highly relevant to current and future SLA leaders, but of no interest at all to most members and certainly not to potential members. Virtual SLA will then be able to concentrate on the great services and networking opportunities offered by SLA, making them clearly and easily accessible to current and potential members.
With SLA's research now being a responsibility of the KEx, we will be supporting the creation and sharing of innovative research with the guidance of the association's research committee. We will be exploring ways whereby members can share the results of research projects, through a database accessible to members only, and facilitate SLA's research statement, the intent of which is to contribute to a shared knowledge base and to provide the grounds for a more informed decision making.
We want the KEx to encourage information professionals to see the benefits of becoming SLA members by providing invaluable resources accessible in one place; providing a vehicle for exchanging knowledge with their peers both nationally and globally and for exploring new ways of adding value; and providing valuable research on current topics and trends.
To facilitate the exchange of knowledge within SLA's global headquarters we will be creating an intranet as soon as possible. We will be looking into ways of automatically integrating the appropriate information in the intranet with the extranet.
Our goal is to develop the KEx as a role-model of information centers and position it as a partner in exploring new ways of adding value. We are well aware of the possible stumbling blocks, including making everyone aware of the KEx resources; easily accessible and user-friendly formats of exchange, and encouraging people to take part in the exchange of knowledge and using the various formats set up. We will be utilizing current SLA committees, task forces, and other groups of members and staff to assist in the development of the best possible use of SLA's networking opportunities and Knowledge Exchange. If anyone would like to contact me, john@sla.org, with ideas, please feel free to do so.
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