Welcome to SLA Connections, your source for news and information from the information profession and industry.
Executive Journal
The 2007 SLA Annual Conference and Exposition in Denver is only a few days away. I hope you have made plans to attend. We are expecting a very good conference this year and I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Besides SLA members, sponsors and vendors, representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also will be attending the conference. Not only will they be participating in the Conference Expo, EPA staff also will be taking part in policy sessions with you and soliciting your feedback and advice on the agency's plan to cut services throughout its regional networks of specialty libraries.
As many of you are aware, SLA became involved in this issue in early 2006 and was the first library organization to publicly question EPA's lack of realistic planning to protect important public health and safety information contained in these libraries.
As a result of a recent hearing by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, for which SLA provided questions to Committee Chair Senator Barbara Boxer of California for use during her tough questioning of the EPA Administrator, the agency is on notice that future closures and service cutbacks will be closely examined by Congress.
Following the congressional hearing, I met with representatives of EPA at SLA headquarters to discuss the issue. During that meeting, EPA assured us that further closures and changes in its library network would be "frozen" as the agency works to develop and implement policies and procedures, as well as goals and strategies that would best serve the needs of the public-at-large and EPA scientists. The agency also agreed to work with us on this matter and to take an active role in our conference in Denver.
SLA has continued to be diligent in reaching out to EPA, and, as a result, there is more news to report. On Monday, 7 May, SLA again met with EPA officials to clarify recent media reports that EPA libraries were, in fact, being closed and materials discarded at agency libraries. Following the meeting, SLA received a letter from Mike Flynn, director of EPA's Office of Information Analysis and Access, Office of Environmental Information, in which he called information contained in these press reports "incorrect," and assured us that "...we are working diligently toward the goals I have discussed with you." He also clarified for SLA his agency's position on any closures now He wrote:
"No changes are being made while EPA is reviewing its plans. EPA is in the process of reviewing its methods of delivering library services. No changes are being made in the EPA Library Network at this time; no changes will be made until we have completed stakeholder input and review.
"EPA is engaged in a planning process for the future of the Library Network and is soliciting, receiving, and responding to input from Agency librarians and library managers, and we are working on a communications plan to involve a broader group of internal and external stakeholders."
Flynn is scheduled to provide conference attendees with a status update on the EPA's plans for its library network on Tuesday, 5 June as part of SLA's Public Policy Update. I hope you will attend what is sure to be a very informative and lively session.
As the issue evolves, we will continue to monitor it closely and be aggressive in providing EPA with advice from information professionals on the most effective ways to reorganize its operations, while, at the same time, ensuring continued access to the valuable information contained in these specialty libraries.
But in order to accomplish this, it will be essential for EPA to continue to fund info pro or librarian positions throughout its library system. Without these positions, EPA will be unable to meet the needs of federal employees, state and local governments, the scientific community, and the public for timely, pertinent, and invaluable environmental information crucial to protecting the health and welfare of all Americans.
Suggested Reading: Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams.
If you are interested in better understanding the potential power and influence of online collaboration and how companies can "harness collective capability and genius to spur innovation, growth and success," in the twenty-first century, you will probably find this book extremely interesting and thought provoking. Not only does it discuss how those who both use and produce online content are creating news stories and remixing music, it talks about the possibilities for finding diseases, creating new cosmetics and even building motorcycles. This book may not be an ultimate guidebook to the future of online collaboration, but it's a very good place to begin.
Consider This
"If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us. The free mind is not a barking dog, to be tethered on a ten-foot chain."
-Adlai Stevenson
| OUTSIDE THE BOX |
BusinessWeek and the Boston Consulting Group Name 50 Most Innovative Companies
"The leaders of companies on this year's BusinessWeek-BCG list of the World's Most Innovative Companies recognize that developing breakthrough products, revamping operational processes, and coming up with new business models don't happen overnight. Instead of relying on gimmicks or incremental line extensions, they're working to build organizations that are capable of sustained innovation" Take a moment to browse the list and read the entire BusinessWeek Special Report to learn more about what makes these companies so successful.
Challenges to Providing Knowledge Services
All innovations are not equally well received, and at the recent Computers in Libraries Conference in Arlington, Virginia, three clients and knowledge services consultant Guy St. Clair spoke about the challenges and difficulties encountered when knowledge services initiatives are put forward. The discussion is described in the 5 May 2007 SMR Briefing, published by SMR International. The briefing can be viewed here.
A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science
Priscilla K. Shontz and Richard A. Murray, editors. Libraries Unlimited, 2007
Many people, not just those new to the field of Library and Information Science, are curious about their career options. The editors of LIScareer.com have assembled the thoughts of 98 authors, each of whom describes a "typical" workday or work routine, sharing joys, sorrows, and annoyances in refreshingly candid fashion.
In the process, they offer those interested in finding a similar job exposure to useful skills and advice across a wide variety of traditional and nontraditional jobs. In addition to public, academic, school, and special libraries, consortia, associations, LIS programs, vendors, publishing, consulting, and other non-library fields are also covered. This is a perfect guide for library and information science students, prospective information professionals, new librarians-or anyone considering a career change. (Description reprinted from LU.com.) Ordering information here.
Did You Know How Hot You Are?
According to three very different publications, "Librarian" is cited as one of the best careers for the future. US News.com listed "Librarian" as one of the Best Careers in 2007...while Parade Magazine called "Corporate Librarian" one of the Hottest Jobs for College Grads. And the personal financial advisor...Kiplinger.com...which listed "Librarian" as one of its Seven Great Careers of 2007...had this to say about librarians:
"Forget about the image of librarian as mousy bookworm. Today's librarian is a high-tech information sleuth...a master of mining cool databases...well beyond Google...to unearth the desired nuggets."
Thomson and Reuters Agree on Merger Terms
$17.2 billion deal creates top international financial news provider
Reuters agreed on 15 May to a $17.2 billion takeover by Thomson that would vault the combined entity ahead of Bloomberg to become the world's largest financial data and news provider. Read the full story.
| INSIDE THE BOX |
Digital Content to Exceed 50% of Content Budgets
The results of the annual benchmarking study by Outsell Inc., with input from SLA members, show that digital content will exceed 50% of content budgets for all four sections surveyed, corporate, government, education, and healthcare, for the first time. The Executive Summary of Outsell's Briefing "Information Management Best Practices: 2006 State of the Function" is now available for SLA members only here.
The results of these benchmarking studies from 2001 can be found on SLA's Recent Industry Reports section.
SLA Obtains Clarification from EPA Surrounding Recent Media Reports on Closures
The meeting, called by SLA, was the fourth between the two organizations which have been in communication about EPA's future plans concerning the operations of its network special libraries since February 2006. Read the SLA Press Release.
Can't come to Annual Conference? Send FreePint in Your Place!
FreePint is conducting a survey of information professionals, asking what they should cover in their report from Denver. Can't make it to Denver? Let the good people at FreePint know what you are interested in hearing about! View the survey.
North American Special Librarians Visit Cape Town with the People to People Ambassadors Program
By Rheina Epstein
"Our challenges are so similar" was the refrain that resounded at the breakfast organized by the Sub-Sahara Africa Chapter of the Special Libraries Association and the local Library and Information Association of South Africa Special libraries Interest Group. The North American librarians visiting Cape Town through the People to People delegation, an international organization linking professionals in various fields in countries all over the world, traveled to South Africa with the intention of leaving with a better understanding of the social and business settings facing these professionals.
After a sparkling introduction by SLA President Rebecca Vargha, the discussion ranged widely, raising many questions which the group meandered through and talked about. Both delegations have the same concerns....
What does the future hold for the librarian and information professional in an increasingly wired society? What are the current challenges in education and planning? Librarians are an aging population, how do we attract young people to the profession? How do we make the public and employers understand exactly what it is that librarians do, and the value they bring to an organization? In fact, do librarians themselves realize how important they are?
The breakfast brought home to those in attendance the importance of belonging to a professional organization and the opportunities it provides to broaden one's professional horizons, to gain a new perspective on what seems insurmountable problems and to meet other dedicated and enthusiastic librarians. All in all, a good experience, and a reminder that we are all running in the same race, regardless of where we practice our profession!
The People to People Delegation Members:
SLA President Rebecca B. Vargha, People to People Delegation Leader, SILS Librarian, Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Edwin M. Cortez, Professor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Shelly Edwards, Library Consultant, Washington, DC
Tonika Farrell, Law Librarian, Rackmann, Sawyer & Brewster, Boston, MA
Corinne Florin, Archiving Div, NWHSU, Bloomington, MN
Dr. Phyllis D. Freedman, Library Director, Salem Univ.,Salem, WV
Victoria Harriston, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC
Brenda Larison, Law Librarian, Supreme Court Illinois Library, Dawson, IL
Shelley Lewis, Retired, Williamsburg, VA
Portia McQueen, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Allen Moye, Library Director, DePaul College of Law, Chicago, IL
Nancy Myers, Retired, Vancouver, WA
Cindy Romaine, Corporate Archivist, NIKE, Beaverton, OR
Alyce Sherbenou, Springfield, IL
Gayle Webb, Director, Riverside County Law Library, Riverside, CA
| ANNUAL CONFERENCE |
FUN FACT: SLA has held its Annual Conference in Denver three times before: 1963, 1976 and 1988
Make the Most of Your Denver Experience
Tips, information and updates are being added daily so put The SLA Blog on your regular "must read" list! Also, the Rocky Mountain Chapter has created an SLA Conference wiki full of information and tips about the Denver area. Visit the wiki.
SLA Announces Major Conference Partners for 2007
"The commitment to these ongoing partnerships with SLA reflects the dedication our sponsors have to advancing the information profession and the work of our members," said SLA Chief Executive Officer Janice R. Lachance. "LexisNexis and Dow Jones have participated in our annual conference as major partners year after year, and I want to thank them for their continued support." Read the Press Release.
Tell Your SLA Story: Appear on the SLA Website and in Advertisements
SLA is looking for willing members to participate in our Face of SLA campaign!
Why do you belong to SLA? What has it done for your career? If you are coming to Denver and you are interested in sharing your SLA story in Association promotions, case studies, on the Website, and in SLA publications- come "camera-ready" to room 202 in the Colorado Convention Center to have your picture taken for future use! Photos will be taken from 1:30-2:30 on Monday and Tuesday during the conference. Come by and support SLA! Please contact Cara Battaglini with any questions at cara@sla.org or +1.703.647.4917.
| CLICK UNIVERSITY |
Check out what's new at Click University. This online learning system is an exclusive SLA member benefit. Please log in when prompted. Click University is the foundation for all of SLA's educational and professional development programs.
Click U Live!
CE Courses at Annual Conference
SLA's Professional Development Team invites you to take part in rich, meaningful and high-impact learning experiences at SLA 2007 in Denver, CO. By attending one of the SLA Workshops (half day) or Learning Forums (full day) courses, you will learn to make an impact in your organization. Learn more.
2007 Click U Live! Course Schedule Available
Start planning your next semester today! Take a moment to check out what's happening on campus this year: 2007 Click U Live! Schedule.
SLA wants to thank you for your past support of Click U Live! programs with a special offer. When you purchase a package of six (6) or more 2007 programs, you will receive a 15% discount for each program. The regular price for each webinar is $99; with the 15% savings, each program will cost $84.15. On six programs, you'll save $89!
If you want to learn about financial management from SLA HQ's own John Latham, the future of our profession from Mary Ellen Bates, or Web searching from Greg Notes, sign up now! Remember, you can purchase programs for yourself or for your chapter or other group...all for the same price.
For more information about how to obtain the discount, please contact Shelva Suggs, SLA Learning Coordinator at +1.703.647.4925 or ssuggs@sla.org.
Missed a LIVE! Seminar? You can still purchase a REPLAY! Click here for more information.
Click University News
Student Member Discount
SLA Student Members now qualify for a 25% discount on selected Click University
professional development programs. Learn more.
Course of the Month
Course of the Month offers you the opportunity to take part in an SLA learning experience at no charge. For the period 15 May - 14 June 2007 the following course is available to SLA members: Getting Ready for the Job Search. Learn more.
Leadership & Management Library
Click University has opened its first student library. Available to members at no cost is the Leadership & Management Library from ebrary. Learn more.
Special Member Benefit: For a limited time, SLA members may subscribe to current databases of ebrary eBooks from leading publishers such as AMACOM, Wiley, Jossey-Bass, Kluwer, and McGraw-Hill at discounted rates. Learn more.
| SLA GRAPEVINE: Your Source for SLA Member News, Achievements, and Opinions |
SLA Board Member Robyn Frank receives Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland
Information is power; just ask Robyn Frank. For 34 years, in her role as a federal library manager, Frank created knowledge and technology resources at several key national libraries. Her career has taken her from the National Agricultural Library at the Department of Agriculture to the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress as head of library reference services. Most recently, she was director of Library and Research Services in the Executive Office of the President. Throughout her career, she has created numerous information resource centers, conducted pioneering benchmarking studies, and integrated technology into the various libraries she has served. She now consults with libraries and information centers that focus on innovating knowledge services.
"Spotlight" story on the CLIS website.
Do you have an item to include in SLA Grapevine? Email the editor, Cara Battaglini at cara@sla.org.
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