Executive Connections

President's Video Part II: The SLA Alignment Project- What's in it for Me?

This week's installment from 2009 President Gloria Zamora and President-elect Anne Caputo takes a look at the SLA Alignment Project. This alignment project will not only help refine SLA's current positioning in the marketplace, it will also provide us with a framework for discussing the value that you bring to your employers in a clear, compelling and cohesive voice. 

This two-year research initiative and the results of our study have already provided SLA with more effective ways to communicate with those outside of SLA about the information profession. This video covers what the alignment project is all about, and what you can expect to come of it in the next year.

This segment is the second of a three-part video message series with Gloria and Anne that I will be happy to bring to you through posts on Executive Connections over the coming weeks. Stay tuned for next week's message on leadership in SLA.

Watch the video

Guest Video Message: What Will 2009 Bring for SLA

We recently caught up with your 2009 SLA President Gloria Zamora and President-elect Anne Caputo and asked them to tell us about the upcoming year, the SLA Centennial Celebration, leadership, Align in ‘09 and more.  

This segment is the first of a three-part video message series with Gloria and Anne that I will be happy to bring to you through posts on Executive Connections over the coming weeks.

Watch the video.

Shine in '09

The latest Alignment Project research confirms what we have all known for some time:  continuous learning is a highly valued attribute for the information professional. And there is no time like the present for developing new skills and gaining new knowledge.   In a play on SLA President Gloria Zamora’s theme, “Align in ’09,” I would like to propose a rhyming theme:  let’s shine in ’09. 

No training budget?  No excuse.  SLA now offers free online courses as an exclusive benefit to SLA members. The free programming encompasses all non-certificate online courses that are part of SLA's Click University, including programs such as Click U twice-monthly Webinars and replays and the SLA Online Libraries. Also available to members as part of your membership dues are execuBooks, the SLA Innovation Lab (including 23 Things) and SLA Leadership Training. 

You will find all of these conveniently bundled together on our Web site under Click University’s Member Only Programs. 

While you are there, check out the ever-growing list of SLA university partners in the Click U Consortium who are offering substantial benefits to SLA members on masters, doctoral and continuing education coursework.  And don't forget SLA's exclusive Career Center.

And if you haven’t done so already, I hope you will register today for the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO 14-17 June in Washington, D.C.  Early-bird registration ends April 3.  It’s just the place to polish your skills so you can shine in ’09.

Bits and Pieces

Some items of note about public policy, our upcoming conference, and SLA’s Centennial: 

• SLA Chief Policy Officer Doug Newcomb recently posted a good summary of the Obama administration’s copyright and technology agenda and how it affects SLA members in SLA’s Public Policy Connections.
• I am delighted to let you know that registrations for SLA 2009 are very good, and I am truly looking forward to welcoming you to Washington.  The session lineup is so strong that I am not sure when you will find time to see the sights, but it is a superb time to visit.  There are new and almost-new museums like the National Museum of the American Indian and the Newseum, extensive renovations to such popular sites as the National Museum of American History, the new Nationals ballpark . . . the list goes on and on.  Better yet, the scaffolding that covered so many of our beautiful monuments is, for the most part, down.  If you haven’t yet registered for the 2009 SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO, do it today.
• Finally, thanks to SLA member Maureen Clements for writing about the Centennial video contest in her NPR blog, “As a Matter of Fact,” and to Stephen Abram for calling it to my attention.  And if you haven’t looked at the videos, set aside a little time to have some fun!