This is just preliminary, and it includes a lot of things that I probably won't go to. But, many of these sessions looked interesting. Some I have to attend. I will also be tweeting a lot of the sessions with #sla2010.
DATE, TIME
EVENT DETAILS
SATURDAY 06/12/2010
06/12/2010 4:00PM- 7:00PM SLA HQ CONFERENCE-WIDE EVENT SHERATON HOTEL
Session Description: Advance RSVP required to Khue Duong at kduong@csulb.edu. Liborio’s (www.liboriocuban.com) is within walking distance of the hotel/convention center area. Stay tuned to PAMnet for details about reservations, prices, and a meet-up spot for those who want to walk together.
Session Description: The LDI will introduce SLA's leaders to appropriate roles and responsibilities and offer practical guidance for fulfilling responsibilities. If you are a chapter or division officer, chapter president or president-elect, division chair or chair-elect, or caucus convener, you should plan to attend. The president-elect and director candidates for the 2011 SLA Board of Directors will be on hand to participate in a moderated panel discussion. Everyone interested in learning more about leadership in SLA is invited to attend. Continental networking breakfast at 7:30 a.m.; program starts at 8:00 a.m.
Session Description: We've moved the Newcomers Lunch to Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant, at 701 Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans. The Science-Technology Division welcomes new members over lunch to learn about how to get involved in the division, network and get psyched for a great conference experience. This event is by invitation only; see Sci-Tech Division Chair of Membership Committee for details.
Session Description: The Science-Technology Division Executive Board and Advisory Council will meet for our second meeting of the year. All unit members are welcome to attend.
Session Description: In this joint presentation, Washington's best-loved couple, James Carville and Mary Matalin, give audiences an enlightening and entertaining look at today's most important political issues as well as a behind-the-scenes view of Washington politics. Carville and Matalin combine their unique experience as political insiders to provide audiences with a stimulating, candid and provocative analysis of the day's headlines and hot-button political issues. You won’t want to miss this lively and engaging exchange of views from both sides of the political aisle.
Publishers and Liaisons involved in the PAM Liaison Program meet to discuss topics of interest.Open to other interested PAM members as well.Location TBA.
Session Description: All conference attendees are invited to a night of celebration. Join us for a spectacular evening of food, drink and networking at the Mardi Gras World and Grand Oaks Mansion. Enjoy a great opportunity to peek under the veiled curtain of CARNIVAL! after hours. Help celebrate SLA award winners in this festive environment. NOTE: Shuttle buses will be available to take you from the Convention Center to Mardi Gras World after the Opening General Session. The shuttles will return to the Sheraton and Marriott New Orleans (SLA HQ Hotels) starting at 9:00 p.m. and running until the end of the event. Taxis will be available for those wanting to attend other events.
06/13/2010 9:00PM-11:59PM NETWORKING/RECEPTION SHERATON HOTEL
Session Description: Will the real Bob Smith please rise? Finding the work of a particular author is not simply a matter of matching the characters in that person's name—it also involves distinguishing that author from others with the same name and locating works the author wrote under different names. Several vendors will discuss the approaches they have used to identify authors and what they see for the future of author identification. As of this writing, Jessica Kowalski from Elsevier / Scopus, Ann Kushmerick from Thomson Reuters (ISI), Glenn Patton from OCLC, and Norman Richert from Mathematical Reviews have agreed to participate in this session.
Session Description: This year in 101, get an overview of national security and GIS/remote sensing and see how they fit into the life of an engineer or scientist. Our experts then introduce the best resources to help in discovering, obtaining, and working with these types of materials.
These sessions will be centered around the Unconference idea. Topics for some sessions will be determined in advance and posted on the SLA Wiki at wiki.sla.org/display/unfonf/Welcome+to+our+UnConference+Wiki. Other sessions will focus on whatever topics participants want to discuss. Pre-registration is not required, but the sessions are limited to 75 people.
06/14/2010 8:00AM- 9:30AM PROGRAM CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: Curious about why you should use social media tools to promote and develop your personal and professional brand? This session will describe the info pro's evolving role in the work environment. Being an employee within an organization may be a thing of the past, as more info pros shift from traditional employment to managing their own consulting practices. This requires a different set of skills, competencies and expectations of "work.” As new technologies emerge, you can use them to market your expertise, monitor and track trends, and enhance information and knowledge services.
Session Description: Join us as we explore assessment tools and strategies to demonstrate the use and value of library collections through best practices for collection metrics.
Session Description: Be a part of history by attending the inaugural session of this event! The 2010 class of SLA Rising Stars and SLA Fellows will share their collective insights into today’s hot topics in the information profession. Learn how these leading info pros are dealing with changes brought on by the digital data deluge—and of course, by the economy! Do these issues look different from the perspective of someone just making his or her mark on the profession? Come and find out as Webb Shaw of J. J. Keller moderates the first-ever SLA Rising Stars/Fellows Roundtable.
Session Description: Reading the Technology Future: Extending the presidential theme of ‘Creating the Future,’ this lively and provocative session examines the issue of users who have more control over their consumption of digital information and why the enterprise is so late? Greg Merkle will discuss social tools, next generation technologies and standards that are shaping the information economy.
Session Description: These sessions will be centered around the Unconference idea. Topics for some sessions will be determined in advance and posted on the SLA Wiki at wiki.sla.org/display/unconf/Welcome+to+our+UnConference+Wiki. Other sessions will focus on whatever topics participants want to discuss. Pre-registration is not required, but the sessions are limited to 75 people.
06/14/2010 10:00AM- 5:00PM NETWORKING/RECEPTION MARRIOTT AT THE CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: The PAM suite will be available to PAM members to check e-mail, network with friends, and relax. Snacks and refreshments will be available.
Session Description: By 2013, Gartner predicts the most common Web access devices will be “mobile”. With ‘smart’ phones and emerging ‘tablet’ devices, people change the way they interact with information and communities. In this talk, we’ll outline major trends, evaluate possible consequences, and pinpoint ways to leverage these changes to your advantage.
The Academic, Education and Science & Technology divisions are hosting a roundtable. Join us for a lively discussion of the most current topics and hottest trends in academic librarianship. In this exciting "unconference" format, attendees will form small groups led by moderators, and will discuss a specific problem, challenge, or new trend that academic librarians face. At the end of the session, the groups will come together for a general discussion. This is a great opportunity for learning, networking, and sharing your ideas about academic librarianship!
06/14/2010 2:00PM- 3:30PM PROGRAM CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: Attendees will divide into groups to discuss “hot topics” in PAM librarianship. There will be an opportunity to switch topics during the discussion period. Topic "chairs" will summarize findings and suggestions for the larger group at the end of the session.
Session Description: This event has been combined with the Academic Roundtable: Join us for a lively discussion of the hottest topics and trends in academic librarianship. In this exciting "unconference" format, attendees will form small groups led by moderators and will discuss a specific problem, challenge, or trend that academic librarians are facing. At the end of the session, the groups will come together for a general discussion. This is a great opportunity to learn, network, and share your ideas about academic librarianship!
What are the real-world benefits and requirements of an effective Access Preservation initiative? How will Access Preservation schemes handle new publishing models? This session explores Access Preservation from the point of view of a learned society publisher, and offers attendees the opportunity to discuss the future of Access Preservation.
Session Description: Topics focus on the future of science librarianship (captured in video, hosted on the DST site, published in the SciTech News): "The Future of Librarianship in Science and Tech Libraries" (Roth); "Using Drupal to Create the Pandemic Influenza Digital Archive for the Nat'l Institutes of Health" (King); "Promoting Public Access Policies—A New Role for Librarians"(Fernandez, Nariani, & Salmon); "Defining Future Roles from One Publisher's Perspective" (Hunter); "From Both Sides, Now: Librarians Team Up with Computer Scientists to Deliver Virtual Computer-Info Literacy Instruction" (Bloom); and "Science Librarianship Is an Essential Player in a Global Learning Company" (Mehl).
Session Description: As the principal in-house research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) conducts research to find new uses for agricultural commodities and by-products. Research related to biobased products includes the development of technologies leading to new and improved non-food products (including fuel, specialty chemicals, and industrial polymers) that expand markets for farm products, replace imports and petroleum-based products, and offer opportunities to meet environmental needs.
Session Description: This panel discussion about tenure will feature academic librarians at various stages in the tenure process. The discussion will cover what tenure is, what it does for you, and the details of the tenure process. Plenty of time will be allowed for questions, so bring your concerns to the people who know how tenure works!
Session Description: As a special addition to our meeting, the report from the PAM International Membership Award winner, Pavlinka Kovatcheva, will be presented. Thanks to American Physical Society for sponsoring the session and to World Scientific for sponsoring the award.
Session Description: Join the Science and Technology Division members for breakfast while we congratulate the winners of our 2010 awards and find out what the division is planning for 2010 and beyond.
Session Description: We all hear about data curation, digital curation, data preservation services, even e-science. What do they mean, and how will data curation affect science librarians? Find out which skills you may already possess and which ones you may want to develop so you can participate in digital data curation efforts at your own organization.
"Bringing Social Media to Any Library,” by Megan Radomski, Parametrix
"Notes for a Global Agency: Leveraging a Needs Assessment to Enhance Service Delivery," by Karen White, Fatmata McCormack, and April E. Knepp, U.S. Agency for International Development
"From Special Library to Knowledge Management: Rolling with the Good Times and Weathering Some Bumps Along the Way," by Wendy Thomas, The Environment Agency
These sessions will be centered around the Unconference idea. Topics for some sessions will be determined in advance and posted on the SLA Wiki at wiki.sla.org/display/unconf/Welcome+to+our+UnConference+Wiki. Other sessions will focus on whatever topics participants want to discuss. Pre-registration is not required, but the sessions are limited to 75 people.
06/15/2010 10:00AM-11:30AM PROGRAM CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: The use of social media by business professionals is growing rapidly. As a result, social media content can benefit more than just public relations professionals. Learn how you can use social media when performing business research and competitive intelligence tasks for your enterprise.
Session Description: The PAM suite will be available to PAM members to check e-mail, network with friends, and relax. Snacks and refreshments will be available.
Session Description: Join us for a lively session on issues facing computer science. Topics will focus on Kindle/e-reader loan programs and augmented reality. Boxed lunches will be provided while supplies last!
Session Description: Using the format of the popular TV quiz show To Tell the Truth, this session will allow attendees to question panelists and try to determine which one is the director of the “Library of the Future.” Through their answers, the panelists will reveal what will be required for the successful library of the future.
Session Description: This session addresses how information professionals and information providers are using mobile devices. It will provide an overview of chemical and scientific information available for mobile devices, demonstrate specific applications, discuss users’ expectations and experiences, and forecast how access to information using mobile devices will change information vendors and libraries.
Join our Internet gurus for a fast-paced, fun and fact filled hour. From the best to the bizarre and the most informative to the most entertaining, our panelists will spend just a minute explaining each particular site. By the end of the hour you will have witnessed 60 entertaining, educational, and informative sites.
Session Description: Thurston Miller will discuss his academic genealogy project and how he succeeded in tracing the intellectual heritage of Notre Dame’s physics faculty back through their dissertation advisors. Next representatives from several prominent physics publishers (AIP, APS, IOP, and INSPEC) will present their perspectives on the top trends in physics, including the growing interdisciplinary aspect. The session will conclude with an opportunity for attendees to discuss issues of interest, including embedded librarianship, arXiv for mobiles, arXiv's new funding model, downsizing, and more.
These sessions will be centered around the Unconference idea. Topics for some sessions will be determined in advance and posted on the SLA Wiki at wiki.sla.org/display/unconf/Welcome+to+our+UnConference+Wiki. Other sessions will focus on whatever topics participants want to discuss. Pre-registration is not required, but the sessions are limited to 75 people.
06/15/2010 2:00PM- 3:30PM PROGRAM CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: Join us for a review of social technologies for individuals and organizations. Speakers will share their experiences with various tools, technologies and platforms used inside and outside their organizations, with a focus on “what to use when.”
06/15/2010 2:00PM- 3:30PM PROGRAM CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: Our speakers include: Dr. Ben Villalón, or "Dr. Pepper," a retired Texas Extension Specialist who will discuss the scientific properties of hot sauces and more spicy information; and a chef from Juan's Flying Burrito, a local Creole Tex-Mex restaurant, will do a salsa demonstration and tasting. This spicy session is co‐sponsored with three other science divisions.
Session Description: Take dessert from strolling buffet tables with colorfully attired ladies built into the center of each table. This is your last opportunity for non-conflict networking time and refreshments in the INFO-EXPO. Stay until the closing to see if you won $2,000.
06/15/2010 5:30PM- 7:00PM SLA HQ CONFERENCE-WIDE EVENT CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: This is the official business meeting of SLA divisions. Division chairs and chairs-elect convene to request and receive reports, advise the board on matters of division interest, and initiate proposals for board consideration. The meeting is open to all SLA members.
06/15/2010 5:30PM- 7:30PM NETWORKING/RECEPTION SHERATON HOTEL
Session Description: Enjoy refreshments and posters showcasing the work of your colleagues in the science divisions. The themes are New Strategic Alignments; Survival and Success beyond an Economic Recession; Information Literacy: User Instruction and E-Learning in the Sciences During; and Beyond an Economic Recession: New Methods, New Participants, New Tools.
06/15/2010 7:00PM- 8:00PM SLA HQ CONFERENCE-WIDE EVENT CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: This is the official joint business meeting of SLA chapters and divisions. Chapter presidents and presidents-elects and division chairs and chairs-elects convene to request and receive reports, advise the board on matters of chapter and division interest, and initiate proposals for board consideration. Chapter cabinet and division cabinet chair-elect candidates will also give remarks. The meeting is open to all SLA members.
06/15/2010 9:00PM-11:59PM NETWORKING/RECEPTION SHERATON HOTEL
Session Description: This session will focus on strategies for marketing services as a grants librarian and integrating services with university/organization practices. Speakers will discuss outreach, coordination of funding opportunities, and elements of a successful grant application. Coffee and donuts will be available (while supplies last)!
Session Description: Join us for a discussion of trends in mathematics information and communication. Discussion topics may include math publisher alerting enhancements, publication exchange programs, shared journal access, promoting open access, and math branch library consolidations. A light breakfast will be provided
These sessions will be centered around the Unconference idea. Topics for some sessions will be determined in advance and posted on the SLA Wiki at wiki.sla.org/display/unconf/Welcome+to+our+UnConference+Wiki. Other sessions will focus on whatever topics participants want to discuss. Pre-registration is not required, but the sessions are limited to 75 people.
06/16/2010 8:00AM-11:00AM NETWORKING/RECEPTION MARRIOTT AT THE CONVENTION CENTER
Session Description: The PAM suite will be available to PAM members to check e-mail, network with friends, and relax. Snacks and refreshments will be available.
Session Description: How do information professionals step out of their offices to become vital participants in research, project planning and data curation? Find out how to embed yourself within your organization.
Session Description: This session will feature a discussion of astronomy-related topics and will include a presentation on e-science and the National Science Foundation's DataNet, an update from the Astrophysics Data System, news from the American Astronomical Association, and a report from the Sixth Library and Information Services in Astronomy (LISA) conference in Pune, India.
Session Description: In a lecture based on his forthcoming book, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains, Nicholas Carr describes how the Internet is eroding our ability to read deeply and absorb knowledge—the skills we develop from reading books. The Shallows builds on his controversial 2008 article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, which appeared in The Atlantic. Carr has made a name for himself questioning the conventional wisdom that information technology is a boon to society, and you won’t want to miss what he has to say about the impact of computers on how we glean information.
When I think of the word hack, hacking or hacked, I think of something that has been broken apart or changed well beyond traditional recognition. In terms of computing, the term hacker could be used "to express admiration for the work of a skilled software developer", but some people who work outside of the computer industry might not trust a person if he or she was called a hacker. Thus, the term hacker can carry either a positive or a negative connotation, depending upon the context.
In terms of the academic library, there are certainly many changes that are going on, and in some cases, librarians and other academic administrators are "hacking away" at the library system. In short, librarians are helping their academic libraries transform into vibrant information centers. They are also helping their patrons transform into knowledgeable and savvy information consumers.
This has led to the serials crisis. In response, many academic libraries have created departments or units within the library that work on scholarly communication and open access issues. Some of the best organizations are at Columbia, Illinois, Minnesota, and UC-Berkeley. Librarians are communicating with their faculty and researchers to help them understand the issues that are affecting libraries and the scholarly communication system.
In addition to the units devoted to scholarly communication issues, librarians are creating institutional repositories so that faculty and others affiliated with the university can deposit digital copies of their scholarship. These are placed in computer systems and with staff who will maintain long term preservation of the research. It will also enhance access to the research in cases where the articles had been published in subscription-only journals. Once the article is in the repository, then the full-text can be found through Google, and many more people will have access to it.
What is a library without a catalog?
Library patrons need to use a catalog system to find what the local library has. Catalogs are more complex than what most patrons think. When a library has millions of items, hundreds of thousands of links, tens of thousands of journals, and many people are editing the system at the same time, it needs to be in a robust system. Over the years, academic libraries have paid vendors a lot of money to provide catalog software that can handle many dynamic needs. Recently however, librarians are creating and using more and more open source catalog systems such as Koha or Evergreen. With some of these systems, it may take more staff time for programming, but there is less or no cost to the library for the software itself.
What is all this talk about catalogs and print books? Aren't libraries getting rid of all of their print books and only buying ebooks?
After reading articles concerning places like Stanford or a school library in Massachusetts, one might get that feeling, but it really isn't so, quite yet.
Most libraries are not treating print books vs. ebooks as an either/or option. We are getting both types of material. We may not get as many print books in the future, but I don't think print books will ever disappear. The same way that television did not put radio out of business, ebooks will not put print books out of business. It is just another delivery mechanism for information.
Why do the students even bother going to the library? Can't they get everything they need from their dorm room?
Well, students can get a lot of information from their dorm room, but the dorm is not the only place where students study individually or in groups, write papers, do research and socialize. They can also consult with reference librarians (in a variety of ways) to better understand how to use the library most effectively. Libraries have created computer labs where students can use a variety of software that they may not have on their laptop. Thinking of laptops, many students do not want to lug that 5-7 pound beast around. They would rather use the computers in the information commons. Another great example of a library hacker is Stacey Greenwell who manages The Hub at the University of Kentucky.
You see, librarians really are hacking the system.
On Wednesday, I attended two free webinars. The first one was the ACRL Springboard Event. The presenter for the session was John Palfrey, Professor of Law and Vice Dean for Library and Information Resources at the Harvard Law School. He is the co-author of Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives. The presentation was recorded here. (This will require javascript, and then Elluminate Live! will open up. The audio at the beginning is not working very well, but the rest of the session is pretty good.)
I like the idea of a Stack View program for virtual browsing and the circulation heat map of the other books on the virtual shelf.
For the Palfrey presentation and the Ithaka webinar, you can see some screenshots I grabbed from the sessions. (The images are copyright of the ACRL, John Palfrey and Ithaka.) If you would like to see the whole presentation and all of the data, then you should watch the recorded webinars.
One hour later, I attended the Ithaka discussion concerning Chapter 3 of their report, Faculty Survey 2009. They did a good job of delving into scholarly communication issues and how faculty think and feel about those issues. It was interesting to see how faculty in different disciplines viewed tenure and promotion practices.
It was also interesting to see how people in different disciplines deposit to and use institutional repositories.
They also looked at how faculty view the importance of scholarly societies. At the very end of the webinar, they mentioned the report that Dr. Diane Harley co-wrote, "Assessing the Future Landscape of Scholarly Communication: An Exploration of Faculty Values and Needs in Seven Disciplines".
I watched and listened to a webinar yesterday on the Ithaka Faculty Survey report. The one hour presentation will eventually be archived at the bottom of this page, but it isn't there yet. But, if you want to see and listen to the discussion concerning how faculty feel about libraries, the discussion of Chapter 1 is there. This is a windows media file, .mwv.
The presentation I went to concerned Chapter 2, which is about the "Format Transition for Scholarly Works" (Faculty members’ growing comfort in relying exclusively on digital versions of scholarly materials opens new opportunities for libraries, new business models for publishers, and new challenges for preservation.)
It was interesting to see how faculty are getting very comfortable with having electronic only access to journals. And, it is a growing trend for humanists as well as scientists and social scientists.
At the end of the session, I made a comment concerning the fact that there are different levels of access. Faculty may not know that there are many levels and flavors of access. For example, do faculty really care if they access articles from a journal via the publisher or through JStor or through an aggregator like EBSCO? They just want the article, but to the library, it makes a difference.
I will try to go to the discussion about Chapter 3 on May 5th ("Scholarly Communication" issues) but I might only be able to attend half of that session.
They began the session by saying that they were not really talking about journalism, or news, or the media -- the session is about the fact that the wheels of democracy are changing. Since access to high quality information is critical to an informed citizenry, and that commercial support of news is no longer all that viable, they argue that the federal government needs to support journalism at a much higher level. The Federal Government currently spends about $400 Million/year to support public radio, television (and other media), but the Fed should support the free press at a much higher level. Relative to past Federal support of the media, and compared to other countries, The Federal Government should support the free press to the tune of $30,000 Million ($30 Billion).
Please vote on the topic(s) you would like to discuss.
Here is a description of the topics.
Aggravations with aggregators – EBSCO has had some public relations issues lately. See this article for more info. Do you have concerns with EBSCO or other aggregators?
Nature and Scientific American – Do have the print magazine? Did you get the electronic backfile from either EBSCO or through Nature?
Improving library spaces – What has your library been doing lately to improve usability of your library spaces?
Morale of your staff – Considering the economy, what has your library been doing to maintain and improve staff morale?
Hilary Davis (the current Sci-Tech Divison chair) and I would like to encourage more active discusson of issues related to science and technology librarianship. What method(s) do you think would be most effective in eliciting the greatest amount of participation?
The Meebo chat room could be like one implemented by ACRL and their OnPoint discussions.
Here is her speech, in four parts, given on January the 28th. (I am sorry they are a little out of focus, but my flip camera has hard time focusing when the zoom is all the way on.) But, you should get the gist of her message in any case.
These are some of the short choppy notes that I took at the SLA Leadership Summit a little while back. It was in St. Louis, January 27-30th.
Alignment Session
SLA will be working on a new mission vision and values statements. Proposed mission statement is pretty long. We will probably have a new tag line. SLA will recommend that units create uniform visual identity and use common language. Right now, each division and chapter has a different brand and logo. Common templates could be used by units. Tell members they can clean up their membership records at sla hq. Don't facilitate, educate. Don't create an action plan, create a success plan. What is our core story?
James Kane Presentation
His presentation slides can be found here. He said, "Please feel free to share the booklet with your fellow SLA members who were not at the Summit or with anyone in your own organizations." The presentation is copyrighted by James Kane.
How do most patrons view their relationship with the library? Do they go to the library for a transaction, because they are predisposed to visit the library or are they loyal to the library?
Some may see the library as an antagonistic place. They have to go there to get the info, but they would rather not. James has to fly US Airways even though he would rather not. That is an example of an antagonistic relationship.
Here are the levels of relationship types.
Loyal
Predisposed
Transactional
Antagonistic
How do you make the patron's life better, not just satisfied. Dogs are loyal, cats are satisfied. Cats are happy they got fed, and that is it. Satisfaction is a mood, loyalty is a behavior. Loyalty is what they do for you. Librarians try to measure patron satisfaction. Just because patrons are satisfied does not mean that they are loyal or even predisposed to use your services.
Three things in the brain: Trust, sense of belonging and sense of purpose.
Expected foundation: Competence, capacity to serve, high character, and moral on a consistent basis. Purpose: vision, fellowship and commitment.
Patrons need to feel a sense of belonging.
Recognition: patron recognition. We should know the name of the patron and care about what the patron likes. Set up search alerts to see what people are saying about your library on twitter, and elsewhere..
Insight:
Proactivity: the library should solve their problems ahead of time. Librarians are appointments in the patrons life. He told the story of a flower shop that helped deliver a present to a friend/relative in the nick of time. Eleven months later, he got a reminder of the person's birthday. People and organizations that help others remember stuff are invaluable.
Identity: Share parts of yourself.
Inclusion: People like to be asked to be included. This is true in decision making and in a decision making process. Sometimes, a leader needs to make a decision that is not popular with a group, but the leader should make the decision with input.
Amazon is a good example of a company that has many of these traits. The website recognizes the person when they come back. They recommend another book based on past purchases or page views. They allow any kind of review to be posted to the website. The transparency of allowing all reviews is good.
If a loyal relationship goes bad, it goes straight to antagonistic. Patrons really need for someone to listen to them. We want our patrons to be loyal to us, but they might view the library as a transactional relationship or even an antagonistic relationship, and that is ok.
What do young and/or new SLA members want? The presenters found they want free or low cost webinars for new members. Some topics are:
Project management skills
Salary negotiation
Networking
General management skills
Understanding different business cases
Ideas for Chapter events:
Membership campaign Receptions and keep names of attendees. 31 events in NY chapter last year. Many no RSVP needed. Good person needs to be a membership chair. Set targets. New member receptions. Note first time attendace on a sheet have new member greeters at events. Find out which colleagues are not members and get them involved. Library school. The speaker needs to be enthusiastic. Note the concrete benefits for students. SLA is your personal prof development organization. Learn networking and negotiation skills. Have programs just for new information professionals. Create a position called the "career guidance chair". Free student membership awards for some students. Have that sponsored by a local information organization. Have a student group career day and provide tours for local LIS students. When you have events, make sure they are reduced cost or free for LIS students Make a point at meetings to walk up and talk to people you don't know. Invite the student chapter president to come to chapter meetings. Free membership draw for student membership. Provide travel awards to the SLA annual conference for recent grads. Pub nights for new and student members (or a library crawl). Nomination process. Start early. Invite them to serve on committees. Encourage people to believe in themselves. This will bolster their confidence. Other people will help them be successful. Communicate what you enjoy about being on the board, chair, secretary, etc. SLA provides great friendships and a reason for travel. People who get involved will get more confidence with public speaking and running meetings. Open and transparent in the nomination process. Members may not understand the process, that self-nominations are ok. Give them tasks they can accomplish. Trust in their ability, give them freedom to use their creativity. Leigh-"It is exciting to be on the lookout for leaders of the future." Need generational balance. Students want to find jobs! Focus on resume skills. New members can use the SLA directory for informational interviews. New members are not just younger. How do we involve the distance students? Need to be creative with online networking. Mentoring program. Conference buddy. Fostering relationships. Newcomers lunch. Call, make a personal call, not just an email.
Merging Chapters and Creating New Divisions
PA Chapters -- they used surveymonkey for the vote. Have meeting at various days and times, meetings all day or baseball games or in evenings, Phily. Vary the locations. Allow for some distance attendance with audio and web connectivity. The Hershy, PA meeting was popular. Problems -- Speaker phone in the room was not good.
Michigan -- Western Chapter merged with the rest of MI. Have a merger historian?
Academic Division -- It all began as an idea in a bar in 2006. Stacey Greenwell began the formal process in Spring 2008. Process was easy. Took abut 6 months to write up the scope note and get officers. 100 signatures. Unique scope. They used social media for input. Lots of talking and discussion. Followed procedure to the letter.
Ok, the new division is approved -- Now you need a discussion list, bank account, etc. They plan to publish a journal that is peer reviewed, Practical Academic Librarianship. Have 400+ members. Takes funding to do the programs. New sponsors are tough to get in this market. Great things are coming in New Orleans.
Marjorie Hlava -- Taxonomy division -- She mentions the website and the wiki. They now have 127 members. Reached out to the leadership list. The new division will benefit sla. Taxonomy is a growing field. They were able to involve some of the vendors and exhibitors. The division cabinet chair resolved many of the issues and problems. Need to allow greater official discussions with multiple divisions. Will reach out to propsective members beyond librarians. The profession is changing not dying, we must change with it. Technology changes every 3 yrs. Taxonomy is a vibrant and exciting area.
