Executive Connections

SLA Europe Celebrates the Centennial

I had the great good fortune to join the SLA Europe Chapter for a Centennial Soiree last week in London.  The weather was gorgeous, and the function room and rooftop deck were packed with good cheer.  The champagne flowed, and we all enjoyed three delicious cakes—one for each digit in 100.  An extra thanks to Don Roll and Alacra, who sponsored the whole thing!

A highlight of the evening was recognition of the SLA Europe Information Professional award winners for this year and last. Every year, the chapter recognizes the outstanding achievements of one information professional with an all-expenses-paid trip to the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.  This year’s winner was Gimena Campos Cervera, who currently works in the U.S. Embassy to Italy in Rome.  It was clear from her comments that she not only enjoyed the conference, but felt she had benefited from the learning and networking.

I reiterated for the group SLA’s continuing commitment to growth in Europe and around the world, telling them of my plans to travel to Italy and Germany in the months ahead.  Every information professional needs worldwide connections, and SLA is determined to build your international network.

 

Why SLA Must Consider a Name Change

2 July marks the anniversary of SLA's founding.  Our founder, John Cotton Dana, wrote that the name Special Libraries Association, “was chosen with some hesitation, and rather in default of a better.”  When SLA undertook the Alignment Project more than two years ago, a name change was not in our plans.  However, the research has made it abundantly clear that we must consider one.

It has been quite a journey, beginning with in-depth research, including existing data from Outsell and SLA, work with a futurist, leadership roundtable discussions, and member focus groups around the United States and Canada. With the rich information gained from these exercises, Fleishman-Hillard constructed six statements about the value of information professionals and SLA, each based on a key theme that emerged from the research.

With member input, those statements were then refined and tested in the Alignment Survey. This was an in-depth global survey of info pros and C-Level executives in business, government, health care, consumer services and more.  It included key audiences—not just info pros, but also people in fields like IT, HR, marketing and strategic planning. It helped us zero in on words and concepts that work—or don’t work—across the board.

In the language exercise, participants were asked to rate specific words and concepts in six statements.  These statements, drawn from the findings of the alignment study, were created to communicate the value of the information profession and SLA.  The terms “special library” and “special librarian” were the lowest-ranking concepts we tested.  (View complete results here.)

Below are two of the statements tested.  Terms found to be the most positive appear in green print below; those found to be most negative appear in red print.  As SLA enters its second century, it is clear that we are burdened with a name that not only causes confusion but also fails to capture the aspirations of our members.

Statement #1 – Continuous Learning and Expertise

* Information professionals and special librarians develop and demonstrate knowledge management expertise across a broad range of industries and disciplines.

* Information professionals and librarians create a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing

* Access networks of experts and colleagues to obtain information and best practices for their customers

* Pursue continuous learning through innovative technology and education practices

* Promote information literacy through training and education on the effective use of information sources

Statement #4 –Professional Development and Advancement

* The Special Libraries Association promotes professional development and advancement by providing members with innovative resources and continuous learning opportunities.

* Offers comprehensive curricula on best practices and the latest advances in information management, delivered through Web-based courses

* Anticipates industry trends and provides members with opportunities to discover and explore the latest emerging technologies

* Provides opportunities to develop leadership skills and achieve professional success.

Our consultants, Fleishman-Hillard, who have strongly recommended that we consider a name change, provide the following guidance:

* Previous attempts to rename the Association have centered on more functional, title-driven alternatives.  The challenge with this approach is that it is virtually impossible to capture all of the diverse job functions—and adjacent career tracks—which encompass the information profession.

* Instead, we recommend shifting the focus to more value-driven alternatives that provide a concise expression of who the Association is and the distinct value it uniquely delivers.

* Names that convey the concepts of  “information leadership” and “knowledge networking” and “knowledge advantage” speak to the Association’s benefits on a deeper level, are more differentiated from other organizations in the competitive landscape and ultimately more inclusive of the broad range of disciplines that comprise the information profession.

After hearing these results, and after several months of discussion, the Board has asked the SLA staff to work with our consultants to recommend a new name. Fleishman-Hillard will base their advice on the research findings and test them with the same groups of respondents used in the Alignment Study to determine which name most powerfully conveys the value of the information profession to key audiences—people in business, government, health care, consumer services; info pros, C-level executives, and people in fields like IT, HR, marketing and strategic planning.  Once the strongest name is determined, our attorneys will do “due diligence” to be certain it is not in use by another organization.  Finally, the name will be presented to the entire SLA membership for an electronic vote. 

Guest Blogger SLA President Gloria Zamora: Join the Tribe

I am back to work, but I cannot stop thinking about last week’s annual conference.  What a way to celebrate SLA’s centennial!  And of course we are only half way through our centennial year celebration.  Just think what additional experiences we can have.

I hope by now, through Twitter, Facebook, e-mail and the spoken word (remember that?), the big news is getting out to our membership: the news from the results of the alignment project. That’s right, we announced that the Board, after evaluating all of the research and much discussion, voted to pursue a name change.  Janice and I felt it was essential that we make this announcement at the conference to ensure that all of our members heard this from us boldly and in an open forum.  We are heeding the research results as well as the call from our members that our name no longer represents who we are and the value we add for our employers.  Now we are soliciting your help to ensure that everyone is aware of this action.

We want you to review the alignment project research and take part in a robust discussion of a name that will more accurately describe what we do and what value we provide.  The Board and staff took every opportunity to discuss this issue with our members during the conference and I promise you we will continue to communicate on this topic every opportunity we have.  We have but one request: that you have an open mind, review the research, ask questions and actively participate in the discussion.  We have asked our colleagues at Fleischman Hillard to perform the same due diligence on the names as they did with the initial research to ensure that both information professionals and C-suite executives agree on the most powerful words and concepts that will convey why, as Janice says, “Special Librarians are so special.”

I know some of you say, “been there and done that.” But I ask you to remember that when the membership was asked in 2003 to vote for a name change, they voted “yes” to change the name; they just could not decide on the right name at that time.  The alignment project research provides guidance on the most powerful words and concepts we can possibly use to convey value.  And this time, with this vote, you do not have to be present at a membership meeting. Every member of our association will be able to have their voices heard because we vote electronically. 

I spoke often during the conference of the concept of Tribes as related by last year’s keynote speaker, Seth Godin.  A tribe is a group of individuals, connected to an idea, who communicate that idea widely and effectively to bring more people into the tribe.  SLA is a tribe in that regard, and now we need to build our tribe around the alignment research and the pursuit of a new name for our second century that effectively and powerfully states our value.  Will you help us increase our tribe?  Will you align in ’09?  Stay tuned!!!

Making History at SLA 2009!

What a conference!  I am both exhausted and energized at the conclusion of the most successful SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO in my years at SLA.

The big topic of discussion was SLA’s Alignment research.  Gloria Zamora and I gave a presentation at the Leadership Development Institute and got lots of thoughtful questions and comments there and throughout the conference. We also debuted a Beta version of a new Alignment Information Portal where we will post and organize everything we have learned from our research and all of the good input that we received from our members that will help us make it what you need before it goes online.

A truly inspiring opening session included the presentation of our major awards. The accompanying videos were works of art—and will soon be posted on SLA’s new video channel, SLA-TV. After that, we heard from General Colin Powell, who shared his views of leadership and the importance of information technology.  I think many in the audience were surprised at Powell’s self-effacing humor, especially when discussing his grandchildren’s demands that he get on Facebook and start Twittering.

The INFO-EXPO exceeded everyone’s expectations.  Read all about it, and about other aspects of the conference, on Twitter. Our members were tweeting away this conference, and they were clearly happy with not only the learning but also the swag at the INFO-EXPO!  Our vendors pulled out all the stops to make this a truly memorable experience.

The sheer number and variety of sessions had many attendees scurrying around the beautiful Washington Convention Center early every morning.  If you missed a session, we have posted handouts for many sessions here. And don’t forget to check out the SLA Blog for lots of attendee observations and some great pictures—including one of Past President Vivian Hewitt (1978-1979) dancing with a robot.

The open houses, receptions and other networking events kept attendees going until the wee hours.  One of the highlights, of course, was the rare privilege of attending the leadership and awards reception at the Library of Congress.

Given all this activity, I was pleasantly surprised at the terrific turnout we had for the Closing Session and Membership Meeting.  President Gloria Zamora gave a fascinating account of some of her experiences traveling on SLA’s behalf during her presidential year.  Gloria and I drew the same conclusion during our discussions with members throughout the conference on the Alignment research:  it is time to get serious about a name change for SLA that will better reflect the value you add to your organizations, especially to people outside of your profession.  As I said in my remarks, this will not happen overnight, and every member will have a vote.

I have saved the best conference news for last.  This year, when other groups are having a terrible time filling their conference and exhibitor halls, we broke records—in fact, we had a 16 percent increase in attendance over last year!  That is only fitting for our Centennial year, don’t you think?

SLA in the WSJ!

As I attend SLA’s 2009 Annual Conference and INFO-EXPO, I am happy to see my eager members rushing to get to the next session, visiting our many vendors in the exhibit hall and networking with their fellow info-pros throughout the conference center. Yet even as we are under one roof discussing findings of the Alignment Project and other hot topics, we are intently focused on how SLA and the information profession are viewed by the outside world.

That is we are thrilled that today’s Wall Street Journal has a full page ad (page A16) promoting the value of information professionals and celebrating SLA’s Centennial.  The ad, sponsored by our friends at Dow Jones & Company, is headlined, “Some people know how to find all the answers,” and depicts SLA founder John Cotton Dana.

The Wall Street Journal reaches about two million people a day, including C-level executives and other senior managers—a crucial audience in SLA’s ongoing efforts to demonstrate why organizations must have trained professionals to provide actionable knowledge.

Try to get your hands on a Wall Street Journal today, take it to your manager, and open it to page A16. If you are at the SLA Conference, stop by the Dow Jones & Company booth to grab a copy. It will be a great reminder of how you contribute to the success of your organization.

Please join me in thanking Dow Jones & Company and the Wall Street Journal for this opportunity and for all the support they have given SLA and the profession over the years.

Look Out Washington! SLA 2009 Is Nearly Here.

It looks like the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO is going to be a big one, and I cannot wait!  Our registration numbers are already considerably higher than the last few years, and we know that Washington, D.C., conferences generally attract higher-than-average onsite registrations.  Particularly in light of the current economy, the enthusiasm for SLA 2009 is a real testament to the power of networking in the information profession. 

We are providing more ways than ever for SLA members who cannot be with us to be involved.  But we all know that there is no real substitute for the face-to-face networking that takes place at Conference.  Our location in Washington also provides some very special venues. I am particularly looking forward to the “SLA Salutes” Awards and Leadership Reception, which takes place in the Great Hall at the Library of Congress—a rare treat even for those of us who have lived in the Nation’s Capital for many years.

What's New?

Call me corny, but every time I attend an SLA annual conference, I feel like I am witnessing a little piece of the history of the information profession.  This year, as we celebrate the Centennial, that will quite literally be true!

 

But there is much more.  For instance, I just learned that a representative of Google will present at SLA’s Public Policy Update session on Tuesday to discuss—and hear your views about—the Google Book Settlement.

 

At the opening session, I am looking forward to witnessing the presentation of the very first SLA Rising Star awards, which recognize new members who show exceptional promise of leadership and contribution to the association and profession.

 

Those, of course, are things that are planned.  I am confident that there will be a few historic surprises, too—there always seem to be.  Stay tuned!  Better yet, be there.

On the Road Again!

I am finishing up a terrific visit with the members of SLA’s Southern California Chapter.  I participated in a great panel discussion and also spoke to the group about all that is new at SLA.  Then I had an opportunity to speak to a group of MLIS students at UCLA.   

It was great to hear from both today’s info pros and tomorrow’s.  I do not think any of us envy students who will graduate and look for jobs this year—or, for that matter, anyone who is searching in this difficult job market.  Yet I do believe that the future of the profession is bright, especially for those who are flexible and who are committed to continuous learning. 

We will have lots of opportunities to learn together soon.  The SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO EXPO is a little more than three weeks off and we are already getting great press (including Library Journal and Fast Company)! Best of all, this year’s conference is in Washington, so I will not need to board an airplane to get there.  I hope to see you.

We've got your number

One of our wonderful SLA staff members, Jeff Leach, was curious about just how much we were offering attendees at the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO, so he decided to count.  You may have seen these numbers, but I can't resist crowing about them.

* 450 booths in the INFO-EXPO with 263 of the leading companies in the industry
* 420 session and workshops
* 12 chances to win US$ 100
* 9 tours of local libraries
* 5 author book signings
* 4 opportunities for complimentary food and refreshments in the INFO-EXPO.
* 1 chance to win a 2009 Smart Car!

Those are pretty incredible numbers, but they hardly tell the whole story.  The true value is in the intangibles . . .  the people you will meet, the networks you will form, the ideas you will exchange.  As members of a constantly changing industry, information professionals must rely upon one another for a great deal of learning, and SLA 2009 will be a gold mine for those fortunate enough to be there.
 
In a year when so many organizations are facing major declines in conference registrations, and given the economic climate, we are pleased that registrations are currently in the same range as the last two years.  It's going to be a terrific conference!

 

What SLA is doing for unemployed members

SLA is very much concerned about members who are unemployed or are facing cutbacks, and I wanted to share with you some of the steps we are taking to ensure that members will continue to benefit from the networking and professional development opportunities that are part of membership, regardless of their employment status.

SLA has worked hard to hold the line on conference costs so that we can continue to offer one of the best conference values available at a time when many other organizations have raised their rates.  In recognition of the economic difficulties so many members face, we prolonged our early bird discount and, at its expiration, offered a second discount in honor of the Centennial.  We are pleased to know that many members have found that with these discounts, and by sharing rooms and rides, etc.,they will be able to join us this year.  The D.C. Chapter has even set up a wiki to help.

At the same time, we recognize that many are making very tough choices about their finances--in part because SLA has had to make some as well. One hard decision was that we will not offer further conference discounts to members who lose their jobs. We simply cannot afford to do this and pay the bills.

We are, however, taking many steps to keep SLA members involved in both the conference and the association, regardless of their job status. We have made a special point of asking our conference speakers to provide copies of their presentations or to allow for them to be recorded for podcast, and we will post the results on the SLA Website after the conference. All members can follow the conference on Twitter by following sla2009.

We hope that our new membership category, which allows those making $18,000 or less to join or renew for just $35, will keep SLA affordable for unemployed (and under-employed) members at the time when they most need the networking and professional development opportunities that are the hallmarks of SLA membership. Webinars and replays are free for the first time, along with a wealth of other Click University resources. And SLA's Career Center offers a whole range of services, from resume posting to job listings to career advice-and it's free for members.

All of us look forward to better economic times.  Until they arrive, SLA is committed to finding creative, cost-effective ways to provide unemployed members with networking and professional development opportunities.