*Note: The following is from our archived collection of older documents, and may not reflect the most current information.
Dear SLA Member,
On November 25, 2002, President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The Act restructures and consolidates more than 22 departments and agencies into the new Department of Homeland Security and also creates a Federal department whose primary function will be to prevent, protect and respond to acts of terrorism on our soil.
Anticipating the President’s plan becoming a reality, SLA developed an initiative, last fall, seeking to educate and promote special librarians and information professionals to government officials and congressional leaders as key decisions were being made. The Department of Homeland Security is now in the process of assembling a staff under an organizational structure, which will include four divisions:
The creation of the Department of Homeland Security is one of the most significant transformations of the U.S. government in over a half-century. As a member of SLA, it is important that you communicate the value that special librarians and information professionals can offer in the functions related to each of the four divisions.
I encourage the SLA membership to take advantage of this unique opportunity to get involved by contacting their representatives in Congress and the Homeland Security liaison in your state. The Homeland Security Section of Virtual SLA www.sla.org contains news, updates, press and contact information. We appreciate your continued feedback on what our members’ role should be with regard to Homeland Security. Please continue to send your comments and suggestions to lynn@sla.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Lynn K. Smith, CAE
Acting Executive Director
Special Libraries Association
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