*Note: The following is from our archived collection of older documents, and may not reflect the most current information.
Welcome to SLA Connections, your source for news and information from the information profession and industry.
By Janice R. Lachance
Get Ready for Toronto
As we make final preparations for the SLA 2005 Annual Conference at the Toronto Convention Center on 3–8 June, I have been thinking about the themes that bring us together.
The many offerings available to you at the conference are built around the theme “Putting Knowledge to Work.” The conference committee, chapters, divisions, units, and our staff have kicked that up a notch by stressing that this year’s conference is about IMPACT. I think you will find the speakers for Toronto can definitely have impact—on your imagination, your psyche, and your career.
As we announced on 18 April, we have added business strategist Gary Hamel to the speakers’ line-up. In the Global Ranking of Business Thinkers, Hamel ranked fourth—way ahead of household names like Bill Gates, Stephen Covey, and a host of others. Hamel invented concepts like “core competence,” “corporate imagination,” and “industry revolution.” His book Competing for the Future is the best-selling business strategy book ever; and his latest book, Leading the Revolution, is a global bestseller.
Also from the Global Ranking of Business Thinkers, we will hear from Don Tapscott. He is an international authority on business strategy, and his 2003 book, The Naked Corporation: How the Age of Transparency Will Revolutionize Business, is still making impact. Tapscott believes that you, the library and information professional, are at the forefront of providing the truly transparent business institution the future demands.
We will host Bill Buxton, an international expert on the relationship between creativity and technology. Every day in your jobs you harness technology to fulfill your clients’ needs. The truly successful information professional is one who makes technology dance—the creative type who knows how to get the most from his or her tools and who delivers more than clients expect. Buxton is intrigued by that creative magic—he is one of the world’s foremost designers and researchers on the human aspects of technology.
We also will hear from Dan Pink. His newly-released book, A Whole New Mind, is about how tomorrow’s work world will turn yesterday’s on its head. Your parents may have encouraged you to become a lawyer or an accountant, but those “left-brain” jobs are slowly being automated or outsourced. The author of A Free Agent Nation asserts that the future belongs to “right brain” workers – those who stress inventiveness, empathy, and meaning.
Do you see the theme? Each of these speakers is about learning more and thinking differently. Each has knowledge to impart that, should you put it to work, will make an IMPACT on your career and your life.
SLA is committed to strengthening members through learning, advocacy, and networking. This world-class speakers’ line-up delivers on all three.
Are you registered for SLA 2005? If not, go to Toronto 2005 and register now.
Upcoming Business Meeting
While attending the Annual Conference in Toronto, please make plans to participate in the Annual Business Meeting on 7 June at 5:15 p.m. The board is proposing some amendments to SLA’s bylaws—stay tuned for more. Add the meeting to your online conference Personal Planner.
Advice from the Field
A Whole New Mind, by Dan Pink. This “President’s Showcase” speaker for SLA 2005 contends that the future belongs to “right brain” thinkers—creative people who are inventive, empathetic, and who seek and value meaning. Ode magazine discusses the book in its latest issue. []
Listen for It
Are you listening? Soon you will hear a CLICK. Stay tuned. Greater learning opportunities are coming to you—wherever you are.
On the Road Again
11 May UCLA Student Chapter Visit
Los Angeles, California
13 May Oregon Chapter Visit
Portland, Oregon
4–9 June SLA 2005 Annual Conference
Toronto, Ontario
13–14 June American Society of Association Executives CEO Symposium
Arlington, Virginia
22–30 June ALA Annual Conference
Chicago, Illinois
Burning Questions
This one's for all of our friends in Canada -- and anyone else who's visited the beautiful city of Toronto! Because thousands of us will be converging on "The World Within a City" in June for SLA 2005, we're all going to need time away from the convention centre and our hotel rooms. So my question to you is this: What's your favorite restaurant/pub/entertainment venue in Toronto?" Email me at janice@sla.org. I'll publish the list of favorites in next month's issue of Connections, so that you'll be armed with options once you get there!
Consider This
“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful, it is threatening, because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful, it is encouraging, because things may get better. To the confident, it is inspiring, because the challenge exists to make things better.”
King Whitney Jr.
Outsell Annual Benchmarking Study
Outsell Inc.’s annual Information Management Benchmark Operations survey forms are being distributed now. Your participation provides you with useful benchmarking data. Respondents receive a full briefing on last year's operations study—a savings of $895. SLA members should receive an e-mail invitation to participate in the Web survey.
The benchmark study covers industries, government agencies, and academic institutions. It focuses on information management functions such as information centers, libraries, and market intelligence. The survey centers on job roles, organization, reporting, budget, users, staff, services, and strategic management. It will allow us to pinpoint changes and highlight challenges for professionals in information management.
An Executive Summary of Outsell’s recent Information Management Best Practices: Vendor Portfolio Management Rationalizing Content For The Enterprise is now available free for SLA members. The full report is available at an SLA member discount from Outsell. For instructions on redeeming your discount, click here.
OCLC Research Software Contest
In celebration of libraries and their heritage of technological innovation, OCLC Research is sponsoring a software contest to encourage advances in the use of Web-based services for libraries. The prize is USD $2,500, a visit to OCLC Online Computer Library Center Inc., in Dublin, Ohio, and the potential to have your code incorporated into OCLC services for libraries. Entries are due 15 May, 2005. For more info, visit OCLC online.
Cool Site: College Opportunities On-Line
This U.S. Department of Education “COOL” site provides for “comparison shopping” for people seeking information about the cost of higher education in the United States. The site is linked to nearly 7,000 colleges and universities.
SLA 2005: Have You Registered?
Our annual conference at the Toronto Convention Center is about six weeks away. You must register by 1 May to receive the discounted “Early Bird” rate. Are you ready? Have you registered and made your hotel reservations? Registration has been strong, even before the “Early Bird” reminders hit members’ mailboxes this week. We recommend you register and book your hotel online through our Web site. And don’t forget to peruse the schedule of ticketed events, like the black-tie-optional SLA Awards Ceremony and Reception on 5 June, where we will celebrate the Info Heroes of our profession.
Working Smarter for You
Over the last two weeks SLA’s Membership Department has introduced improvements to its services. New members now receive payment acknowledgement, a welcome message with their login information, and an e-receipt – all via e-mail. Renewing members receive payment acknowledgement and an e-receipt by e-mail. Plus, each member now receives two e-reminders when it’s time to renew his or her membership. Each e-reminder includes helpful instructions on how to easily renew online. To find out more, contact Membership Services.
Disaster Response Network Begins Taking Shape
The SLA Task Force on Natural Disasters recently held a briefing for chapter and division leaders to inform them of plans for a volunteer disaster response network. Dubbed the Information Professionals' Alliance on Natural Disasters and Accidents (IPANDA), this network will field requests for information from emergency responders and relief agency personnel for the purpose of improving preparedness and facilitating immediate support in the wake of a tragic event. For more information, check out the IPANDA Network Weblog or contact the task force at ipanda@sla.org.
Upcoming SLA Career Development Seminars
27 April, 2005
Positioning Yourself as a Leader within your Organization
Speaker: Marshall A. Brown, CPCC is a certified career and life coach
Upcoming SLA Virtual Learning Seminars
Weblogs
Part I: 11 May, 2005
Weblogs: Opportunities for Special Libraries
Part II: 25 May, 2005
Weblogs: How to Start a Weblog: Tools, Tips and Techniques
Speaker: Darlene Fichter, Data Library Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan Library
Write for Information Outlook!
Do you have a great article idea? Write for IO. Check out our writers guidelines at SLA.org or contact John Adams at SLA.
Do you have news? Share it!
To submit your organization’s news or announcements for SLA Connections or Information Outlook, email them to communications@sla.org.
Books to be Donated to University Libraries in Developing World
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