Each spring and fall, SLA's Professional Development Department offers a first-rate satellite videoconference that focuses on important issues or trends affecting the information industry. Past videoconference topics have included marketing library services, electronic copyright law, meeting users' needs, and knowledge management. Our most recent videoconference, "Everybody Wins: Building Alliances for Greater Gains," explored the importance of strategically aligning your library services with other departments in your organization and externally.

"Everybody Wins" was SLA's most interactive distance learning videoconference yet. The program included a 90-minute satellite broadcast, a case study exercise that was completed and discussed during the broadcast, questions from participants addressed live on the air, and discussion sessions following the broadcast at each location. In addition, attendees utilized supplemental materials on the SLA Web site (www.sla.org) and participated in chat rooms with the panelists following the program.

SLA's distance learning videoconferences offer convenient, interactive, educational programming, and can reach thousands of information professionals throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe because of their satellite based format.

That's where you come in. Each spring and fall, you can make SLA's distance learning programs available to your chapter members, colleagues, or in-house staff by purchasing a "site license." Simply put, purchasing a site license registers your location for the program. It gives you permission to downlink the broadcast and to invite information specialists to participate.

Because downlinking an SLA videoconference is one of the most convenient, inexpensive ways to offer high-quality educational programming, many chapters have hosted this event for their local members, while private companies often bring the videoconferences in-house as a training opportunity. All that is required to be "host site" is a videoconference facility capable of downlinking Ku or C band satellite transmission and a volunteer to act as a "site coordinator." (The Ku and C stand for frequency, Ku--thousands of cycles, C--hundreds. Satellites have either Ku or C band transponders that turn around a satellite signal. Some satellites have both.)

Site coordinators are the organizers of the event. They act as the main point of contact for SLA headquarters, ensure that a facility in their area can downlink Ku or C band satellite transmission, invite people to attend, duplicate handouts, and facilitate the event.

Once a site license is purchased, SLA mails the site coordinator everything they need to turn the program into a true educational and networking experience. First, we mail out the site coordinator's manual that includes essential contact information, guidelines, tips for hosting the program, and promotional strategies. As the actual day of the broadcast nears, we mail the handouts and materials, certificates of completion, and the satellite coordinates.

In the association's effort to become more virtual, we encourage you to take action and bring these programs to your area. SLA's next distance learning videoconference, "The Intranet Investment" will take place October 8, 1998, from 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. EST and is sponsored by the Dialog Corporation. This basic to intermediate level program will define Intranets, the technology needed to support them, and the information professional's role in managing an Intranet site. The panelists, all from companies known for their top-notch Intranet initiatives, will share some features from their sites. To purchase a site license for your area, go to the "Educational/Career Opportunities" section of the SLA Web site at www.sla.org.

If you need more information on SLA's distance learning videoconferences or would like to be kept on the mailing list for site licenses, please e-mail your request to profdev@sla.org. $