For Director

BARBARA M. SPIEGELMAN

President of Spiegelman Group, Pittburg, PA (2000-01)

SLA Member Since: 1983

Past Employment: Manager, Technical Information Services, Westinghouse Electric Corporation; Westinghouse Electric Corporation, (1990-2000); Associate Librarian through Manager Information Resources, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, (1974-1990).

Education: MLS, University of Pittsburgh, (1974); Over thirty continuing education courses on business, technical, information technology, and management topics; Women's Leadership Program, The Center for Creative Leadership, (1996).

SLA Chapter Activities: Pittsburgh Chapter: 75^th Anniversary Committee (1996-1997); Mentoring Program, (1991-1993); Board of Directors, (1988-1990); Bulletin Editor, (1988-1990); Nominating Committee, (1987-1988); Marketing Chair, SLA Winter Meeting, (1987); Awards Committee, (1985-1986).

SLA Division Activities: Library Management Division: Chair, Nominations Committee, (1995-1996); Awards Committee, (1994-1995); Division Chair, (1993-1994); Division Chair-elect, (1992-1993); Chair, Strategic Planning Committee, (1991-1993); Marketing Section Chair, (1991-1992).

SLA Association-level Activities: Branding Task Force, (2000);Chair, Competencies Document Publication Committee and chapter author, (1996-1997); Chair, SLA Logo Committee, (1996-1997); Division Cabinet Chair-elect, (1994-1996); Division Cabinet Chair-elect, (1994-1995); Secretary, Board of Directors, (1994-1996); Awards Committee, (1995-1996); Research Forum, (1994); Speaker, SLA and Great Lakes Annual Conferences, (1989-1997).

Other Professional Activities: Search Committee, University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, (2001); Chair, Industrial Technical Information Managers Group, (1998-2000); Chair, Board of Directors, The Electronic Information Network (EIN), linking 40 public libraries in Allegheny County and providing Internet and database access, (1989-2000); Board of Visitors and adjunct faculty (1994-present), University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences,

Awards/Honors: Fellow, Special Libraries Association, (1999); Distinguished Alumna Award, University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, (1997); Management Leadership Award, SLA Library Management Division, (1990).

Publications and Presentations: "Would You Buy SLA?" Information Outlook, (March, 2002); Editor, Competencies for Special Librarians in the 21^st Century (1997); "Writing Position Descriptions for Fair Compensation," in Position Descrip

tions for Special Libraries (1996); "Total Quality Management: How to Improve Your Library Without Losing Your Mind," chapter in Information for Management, (1994). Thirty-four articles and/or presentations for selected library audiences.

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

I believe a leader should hold a vision for the future, manage the present to enable that vision, and honor the past, which has made the future possible. A leader helps the organization reinvent itself, and helps the members move through the reinvention process, especially when they are asking themselves, "What if we can't get there? What if it doesn't work?"

We asked ourselves these questions as we led the redesign of the Westinghouse policy for protection of proprietary information. Our new policy was the first culture change in this area in over thirty yearswe were changing a sacred cow. The engineers complained constantly. Our work doubled. Our patience dwindled.

How did we manage? We increased communication and the "why" over and over. We stressed the result of not changing. We supported each other constantly, even on days when we couldn't remember why we started the whole process, and we laughed. If you can't laugh, you can't lead.

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

I have always viewed myself as a very strong and independent person. This image of myself was affected in 1995, when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). For the first few years the condition was benign, but then became "relapsing­remitting," with more frequent exacerbations, which were more difficult to manage.

This life-changing experience has made me a better leader. Now I sometimes have to ask for help, I remember not to assume that people are not trying hard enough if the job isn't getting done and to ask if help is needed. In project and process planning, I have learned to ask, "Can everyone come with us?" I am more sensitive to those who perceive themselves as outsiders or who are frightened of new experiences and change. This disappointment has changed me for the better.

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?

I tell them that SLA has been responsible for much of my learning, growth, and ability to stay on top of a constantly changing profession. I tell them that SLA is always changing, because no organization can remain stagnant. That to enable our members to remain informed, and marketable, we look at the association, we ask questions, and we posit potential changes.

When I talk about SLA to others, I stress the value it provides in continuous learning. I talk about the return on my investment of time and money, and the importance of shared, real-world experiences. I say, "When I go to SLA, I think to myself, 'these are my people'." And they say, "Wow! Where do I sign up?"