You are invited to join the SLA NY Chapter for a networking reception and special panel discussion to kick off the association's centennial year. We are fortunate and honored to be able to bring together so many great leaders in one place for a moderated discussion with about the association's past, present and future.
Four Association Leaders Discuss SLA's Past, Present and Future
January 29, 2009, Thursday
Networking reception: 5:30 - 6:30
Panel Discussion: 6:30 - 8:00
Panelists:
Gloria Zamora, SLA President 2009
Anne Caputo, SLA President-Elect 2009
Pam Rollo, SLA President 2005/06 and NY Chapter member
Susan Dimattia, SLA President 1999/2000 and NY Chapter member
Thank you to all the chapter members who submitted questions for the program. We'd like to hear your comments on the responses from the panelists. Please let us know what you thought of last night's program and leave a comment below (you don't have to register and you can remain anonymous if you wish - though we reserve the right to remove any comments that are off-topic or unhelpful).
Some of the questions from the panel are below:
(1) What do you think should be the goals of a regional chapter of a professional organization, and what should be the goals of the national organization?
(2) To what degree do you think a professional organization like SLA can affect the status of the profession in the country? To what degree can it affect the status of the profession on a regional basis?
(3) Do you think the association's possible lack of success in broadcasting the value of the profession is caused by not having one unified professional librarians association? Are there too many weak voices/groups (ie: ALA, SLA, MLA, AALL…) and should they consider merging?
(4) In an economic downturn, how can SLA and SLA-NY help its unemployed members? Please consider the professional, financial, and emotional problems these members may face. How can the organization itself ensure its future in such an economic climate? Please be as specific and pragmatic in your response as possible.
(5) If some types of research work can be effectively outsourced, which skills can librarians work on to remain valuable to their organizations? And are the library schools effectively teaching these skills?
(6) Why would non-MLS research and information professionals want to join the association? What benefits would they perceive?
(7) What advice would you give to people just starting out in the profession or starting out in an association leadership position? Please add any tips for getting involved in the association.
(8) SLA has been losing members. What can be done to reverse this? How do we attract bright, ambitious young people to the information profession? What are the best ways to develop and keep young leaders in the information profession?
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8 comments:
I thought that it was a great program and I am grateful for the advice - especially now that I am between jobs and need all of the
confidance and motivation possible.
Many points resonated with me, but especially Pam's advice about doing things that are challenging to your skill set and not just going for the easy work you already know how to do. Every time I have done this in my career, it has led to successful career progression. --Michelle
This was a great way to start the new year and it really shows how dedicated the IP industry is to its member constituents. I wanted to say I agreed with many of the comments made, especially the comment that every company should be actively seeking out info professionals. I work for an entity that is engaged primarily in knowledge based work and we don't have a centralized knowledge center at all and it shows.
I enjoyed last night’s panel discussion very much. Each president brought their own specific experience to the meeting. But one theme seemed to resonate among all the speakers, and that was that the information professional must promote themselves within their organization. Dialog offers a program called Quantum2, that does just that. It provides workshops, papers and resource material free of charge. I would encourage every member to go to: http/:quantum.dialog.com/about/ to see how this can inspire you to increase your visibility and value.
As a new member of SLA and a student, I was very interested in what the panel members had to say about their experiences entering the field, their advice to their own students, and how they see the SLA developing.
In regard to the questions about increasing membership, particularly with people who are new to the field:
I think that more publicity and available information about what it is precisely that special librarians and information specialists are particularly skilled in (and how these skills vary from individuals in related areas of librarianship and information expertise) would be a great help to students and others who are unfamiliar with the field. There is a great deal of information available about academic, research, public, and other libraries, but very little sense of what a career in the divergent field of special libraries really looks like.
I would also say that the SLA has done a wonderful job of creating programs, support systems, and continued education initiatives that are applicable for individuals who are already in the field. There seem to be less resources for people and students who are just starting their careers. More programing centered towards educating and supporting new members would, I believe, encourage more individuals to become involved early on.
Thank you for a wonderful panel discussion.
--Larissa
I left the program with a renewed feeling of pride in my profession and colleagues. But, also wondering, why is it that we are not at the executive table? Why is it such a struggle to defend our positions and departments in the corporate world? Is it because we live up to the stereotypical librarian image as quiet and accommodating instead of being loud-mouthed and demanding? Is it because we’re a pink profession? As discussed, we aren’t trained to promote ourselves and our skills. We’re modest and don’t tend to toot our own horns. How can we shift our attitudes, behaviors, and our identities as librarians, and therefore shift the public’s perception of us?
A few questions regarding a favorite subject:
What progress is SLA making in India/Phillipines/or any other popular offshore locales? Do we know if any of the universities in these areas are considering MLS programs? Is one country more advanced in your opinion in supporting/growing this profession?
Thought the program was really good. These sessions in and of themselves are motivational. They bring together professionals and remind us we have a strong network of exceptionally smart individuals.
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
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