Enhancing the Value of SLA

JillStrand

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about the value of the information professional, one of three strategic priorities developed by the SLA Board of Directors and staff last year. This post focuses on another of the priorities: the value of SLA.

I believe most members would agree that the value of SLA lies in what we can do collectively. As the saying goes, all of us are stronger than any one of us. SLA provides opportunities for information professionals to act collectively on several different levels:

  • The association as a whole provides a forum for information professionals around the world to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and advance the profession.
  • Chapters and divisions provide opportunities for networking, learning, and mentoring.
  • Committees and councils provide opportunities to volunteer, hone our skills, and advance the association and profession.
  • Awards programs provide opportunities to recognize excellence in achievement.
  • Continuing education programs and Webinars offer opportunities for professional development.
  • The SLA Annual Conference provides opportunities for all of the above, and a chance to raise our profile within the surrounding community.

Our structural and programmatic framework has served us well for more than a century, but we must “lean into the curve” and take steps to ensure that SLA continues to provide value for tomorrow’s information professionals. As I said in my previous post, I truly believe our association and profession are at a turning point, and it is critical that we begin taking bold steps now to move forward and accelerate toward a positive future.

With that in mind, we have engaged change consultants to develop recommendations to the board in eight areas, some of which (such as products and services) will bear on the value of SLA. We also have created task forces to address specific value-related issues, including the following:

  • The Competencies Task Force is working to update the information profession’s core competencies, which were last revised in 2003.
  • A new Advocacy Task Force will be developing real-life, adaptable and appealing case studies and articles aimed at helping members demonstrate their contribution to the success of their employers.
  • The Volunteer Experience Task Force is working to create a toolkit of easily digestible and applicable tools that will help unit leaders better manage their chapters and divisions, where so much of the value of SLA lies.

Through these and other initiatives, we are engaging our worldwide network of members and professional partners to strengthen SLA and increase its value to information professionals and the information profession. I encourage you to join this effort and share your ideas with me about how we can continue to move forward. Please send your suggestions to jillstrand@gmail.com.

—Jill Strand, SLA President

Any large business structure consists of several units, and local teams are formed in each department who are competing with each other. Spy app can play a key role in this struggle.

2 responses to “Enhancing the Value of SLA”

  1. Anne Rogers says:

    I’m really glad to see the chartering of a Compentencies Task Force. I used to use the 2003 Compentencies quite a bit in writing job descriptions and articulating roles; however, in recent years it has not been as relevant. I am seeing a lot more demand for content/knowledge management capabilities and from my perspective a refresh and update of our core compentencies to align with current demand and our best estimate of future directions.

  2. Jill Strand says:

    Thanks so much for the feedback, Anne. This will be very helpful for the new task force as they continue their work on the updates.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

©2024 Special Libraries Association. All Rights Reserved
Special Libraries Association
X

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close