For Director

DEE MAGNONI

President of Zephyr Information Services in Portland, OR.

SLA Member Since: 1992

Past Employment: Agency Librarian, Wieden + Kennedy, (2000-2001); Assistant Dewey Librarian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (1998-1999); Corporate Librarian, Helix Technology Corporation, (1996-1998); Reference Librarian, part time, Roger Williams University and Rhode Island College, (1994-1996); Multimedia Development Librarian, Grant Project, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, (1993); Bibliographic Instruction/Behavioral Science Librarian, Utica College, (1992-1993).

Education: MLS, State University of New York, Albany, NY, (1992); BA with Honors, Government/English, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, (1986).

SLA Chapter activities: Rhode Island: President, (1995-1996); Oregon: Member, (1999-present); Boston: Member and 1998 Fall kick-off meeting planner, (1997-present); New York: Member, (1992-1993).

SLA Division activities: Information Technology Division: Chair, (2001-2002), Chair elect (2000-2001), Treasurer, (1998-2000), Networking Section Chair, (1997-1998); Science-Technology Division: Professional Development Chair, (1998-1999); Advertising & Marketing, Business & Finance, Engineering, Library Management, Solo Librarians: Member.

Association-level activities: Information Futurists Caucus: Convener, (1997-1999); Networking Committee: Member, (2001-2004); Rewriting Competencies Taskforce, (2001-completion); Nominating Committee: Member, (1999-2000); Professional Development Committee: Member, (1998-2001).

Other Professional activities: Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP), (2001-present); City Club of Portland, Growth Management and Environment Committee, Chair of "Walk and Talks;" American Library Association, (1992-present); The Natural Step of Oregon, Scribe at Visioning a Sustainable Building workshop, (September 2001).

Publications: Review articles for Business Information Alert; workshop and seminar materials on industry and market research as well as Internet search techniques; various SLA contributions.

What are the key qualities of leadership? Give an example of how you exemplify these qualities.

Leadership in a service organization is all about relationships. The macro qualities of vision, passion, and creativity are essential, yet applying these qualities to relationships is what builds and sustains outstanding organizations. The tools of leadership are communicating, listening, mentoring, and facilitating. I have communicated and listened a great deal over the years to members. Sometimes this will take the form of individual conversations; other times this will take the form of membership surveys, ballots, and questions posed in columns, discussion lists, or conferences. Through listening, I have learned that there are many valid opinions, that win-win scenarios can almost always be reached, and that it truly takes a community to keep an organization running. I have also learned that we as a membership can cooperate on large-scale projects. This was brought home when seven divisions came together and pooled both time and financial resources to bring Stewart Brand to our 1999 conference.

What was your greatest disappointment in life? How has this disappointment made you a better leader?

In May 1982 I was awarded a full ROTC scholarship. I would attend Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and have my room, board, tuition, and fees taken care of. In October of the same year, after getting settled into college life and military routines, I discovered that I had failed the ROTC medical exam and my scholarship was lost. I was devastated both financially and emotionally. My father told me I must withdraw from school. At eighteen, I discovered how to handle and even thrive with change. I learned that I was not alone, and that the relationships I built provided the strength to navigate new terrain. I learned that wrenching change could have positive repercussions as my relationship with my father was almost destroyed, then made closer and stronger than ever. Creativity and resourcefulness kept the tuition bills paid, and a sense of humor and good friendships pulled me through emotionally.

When you talk to other information professionals, what do you say about SLA? Do you say the same things to people who are not in the information profession?

To professionals outside SLA, I like to toot our association horn about our divisions' subject focus, the ability to step into leadership positions, the continuing education possibilities, and the practical lessons of public speaking and fundraising. I share my experiences in raising my hand, getting involved, and the personal and professional rewards that have resulted. When I really get excited, I talk about the friendships I have built over the years, how special the winter meeting is for its coziness, and how strongly the network of contacts can grow. My conversations with folks outside the profession give me the opportunity to talk about experiences SLA has provided that I would not have elsewhere (such as, speaking in front of 5,000 people!), skills I have built, and the benefits of an outstanding service organization.