I attended the conference as the Chair of the Awards Committee for the Academic Division – this was the first year we presented awards and the committee came up with awards ideas and processes. We had a vendor-sponsored award entitled the Springshare Innovation in Academic Libraries Award, given to UNC Chapel Hill’s University Library, and the Stacey Greenwell Outstanding Division Member Award, given to none other than… Stacey Greenwell.

I attended as well as a candidate for Division Cabinet Chair-Elect for the SLA Board of Directors. I had several official functions and events to attend, like the Open Board meeting, both the Opening and Closing General Sessions and Membership Meetings, the International Reception, the SLA Fellows and First-Timers Meet, and, a special Meet and Greet the Candidates in the exhibits hall. I also attended as many unit open houses, business meetings, receptions and breakfasts as possible. I had to answer questions in a panel during the Joint Cabinet Meeting. In my candidacy, I’m putting an emphasis on the international aspects of the association and how those units and members need special attention right now. Those units offers also a formidable opportunity for growth. I’m hoping there will be a big turn out for the election in September.

I was very busy with candidate responsabilities and units activities (especially with the three divisions that I’m a member of: Academic, Science-Technology and Information Technology) so I only saw parts of two sessions (on information literacy and on publishing for academic librarians). I also saw a session on an organization called Librarians Without Frontiers that works similarly to Doctors Without Frontiers. I’m still disappointed for missing the sessions on copyright and digital rights management, and about library design. Thanks to all that tweeted during those!

Speaking of tweets, the most retweeted tweets was from Anne Barker (@annenb) who was attending Stephen Abram’s session on libraries being future ready on June 13: “Getting rid of librarians because everything is online = getting rid of accountants because everyone has a calculator on desk. #sla2011“ .

Keynote speakers were NYTimes columnist Thomas Friedman (author of Hot, Flat and Crowded) and social behaviorist and loyalty expert James Kane.

During the Leadership Development Institute, it was announced that the Florida & Caribbean Chapter was one of five chapters James Kane will be working with to develop strategic planning for the Chapter membership and develop a greater sense of belonging. He will come to the Chapter and provide training as well. I’ve decided to be more involved in the project myself and am part of the Chapter’s committee. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity for Florida & Caribbean.

While in Philadelphia, I took the opportunity to participate in visits of new study/learning spaces at Drexel and Temple universities.

Drexel University has a brand new study space, the Library Learning Terrace (pictured above).

It had a grand opening during the June 2011 finals and will be finalized for Fall. Everything is on wheels, it has great windows and can sit about 75. It will be open 24/7 with card access, on the main floor of a residence hall near the Hagerty Library. Students will be able to make appointments to meet with librarians there.

The TECH (Teaching, Education, Collaboration and Help) Center at Temple University is a 75,000-square-ft. facility across the street from the Paley Library (pictured on the right). It contains multiple labs and studios for student use, a Help Center and a Faculty Wing with Teaching and Learning Center and the Instructional Support Center.

SLA 2011 Annual Conference – short report is a post from: EngLib

Catherine Lavallée-Welch- Candidate, Division Cabinet Chair-Elect

Question #1 Tell us about yourself and your primary candidate message

Bonsoir,

Je m’appelle Catherine Lavallée-Welch et je suis candidate pour la position de Division Cabinet Chair-Elect.

I have been active in SLA since 2000, right after starting my first job in the US. I’m a member of the Academic, IT and Sci-Tech divisions and a member of the Baseball Caucus. My home chapter is the Florida and Caribbean Chapter. I’ve held several leadership positions in chapters and divisions, notably as the Chair of the IT Division and Secretary of the Sci-Tech Division.

I’m currently the Director of an academic library. In the past, I’ve been a records manager, an information broker, an entrepreneur and I’ve developed Internet projects for the non-profit and co-op sectors. I’ve worked in my native province of Québec, Canada, the US and in Europe.

I’ve always felt at ease with SLA because of my varied background. I like the mix of corporate, government, academic and other work environments. I think we can always learn from each other, even if our environments differ.

The international aspect of SLA is another big attraction for me. When the world is your territory, the potential for growth is just simply formidable.

I think Divisions have the potential to attract more members from outside North America and, that way, increase membership in SLA. Because, and this is not a dig at Chapters – I have warm feelings towards them – too, I think it’s probably at the division level that members can experience the full range and the full diversity of SLA. There are no geographic limits as membership is based on discipline or interest.

How could we attract those international members and get them more involved? What services could be of particular interest? What kind of special support do they need? Online professional development archives? Networking? How about some mentoring? I was talking two years ago with with a European member who, like me, is a French-speaking info pro who immigrated to an English-speaking country. We were discussing if a buddy system could be set up between members that have a similar cultural and/or language background. For example, French-Canadian members could mentor new members from France. American members of Hispanic origins with new members from South or Central America. Could that help develop the feeling of engagement?

I think Divisions are so important to SLA; I think it’s when you’re engaged at the Division level that the sense of belonging is the strongest. If elected as Chair-Elect of the Division Cabinet, I would like to work to solidify SLA’s position as a truly international association.

Question #2 The information industry is constantly changing (the players, the technologies, the information availability & needs, etc.). Living within this environment, SLA must be an agile organization able to adapt as the industry matures. What services/functions/features should SLA change and what absolutely must be preserved as we become Future Ready?

What an interesting question! And one that has far-ranging consequences for the Association!

What do members want from their professional association: traditionally, networking, training and career services.

Those needs might be different now because the sources of those services don’t necessarily have to come from an association. I can connect with other librarians through Facebook and Twitter. Multiple organizations and presenters are putting up webinars and slideshows online for free.

Well where is the opportunity for SLA? How to provide for these needs with an added value and in a Future Ready way?

For me, being future ready means being agile, being just-in-time, being open to change, being ready to learn, always.

I think for many years Divisions have been used to get a wide range of services and tools from HQ. Now that there are more financial, technological, environmental challenges, the association needs to be very strategic and flexible with which of those services, tools and functions it should offer. What gives the more bang for the buck?

It may be time for a certain change of relationship between the units and HQ. It may be time for the Divisions to become more involved, to become more of a partner for the association instead of just being a customer. In the long run, it can equalize us, unify us and strengthen the association as a whole if we partner on the things that really matters.

If you have attended the Leadership Development Institute, you have already heard other candidates talk about alternative models for the conferences. Can we look at the Leadership Summit as well? Can we make it virtual, with actual training for several board positions, which allow to reach not just the Chairs and Chair-Elects, but also the Treasurers, Secretaries, Webmasters, etc. those people who usually do not attend the Summit?

Divisions have already been active in professional development activities with online seminars or other events, sometimes in collaboration with other divisions, chapters and caucuses. This should be encouraged.

I’m a fervent user of social media and believe more emphasis should be given to those tools and to mobile technology. Should we still have listserves? Static lists of resources on our websites? A print magazine sent to every member?

The challenge is how to make SLA future-ready, like its members. And make it not only attractive, but irresistible. How do we make it meet the needs that our current members have *now* and, that way, attract new members at the same time. As Thomas Friedman said during his keynote address, let’s find our extra fruit.

Thank you, merci.

SLA 2011 Candidate Speech – Joint Cabinet Meeting is a post from: EngLib

Attending SLA 2011? is a post from: EngLib

The ALA offices have submitted a white paper on the future on the Midwinter Meeting. It’s interesting to see how this meeting has greatly developed over the years, reaching up to 13,000 in attendance in recent years. That’s a *lot* of people. The programming has evolved as well, going beyond simple association business matters. So, understandably, ALA now wants to reflect on this meeting. Could a lot of that activity be done virtually? Is it now too big? There’s a lot of money saving to made there for attendees but you do lose the networking aspects (personally, keeping myself engaged in my biggest challenge when attending an event online).

I’m far more active in SLA and have attended its mid-winter meeting for several years now. In comparison, it is a smaller meeting, its focus being primarily association business stuff and leadership training for its units’ leaders and future leaders.

ALA MidWinter white paper is a post from: EngLib

I hesitated between two topics but the library side won. My tour du monde en 6 minutes 40 secondes (♥ RBO) will try to demonstrate how libraries are absolutely still useful and relevant. It will be mostly about public libraries but I’ll slip in some of our area’s special and academic libraries.

Pecha Kucha tonight is a post from: EngLib

The event will last through October 29

2009 SLA All Sciences Online Poster Session starts today is a post from: EngLib

Registration is free. Ideas and topics for discussion are welcome. There is also a listserv in which non-attendees can participate as well.

STELLA Unconference is a post from: EngLib

However, there is an existing Google Group. There will also be a meeting at ALA Chicago, in the ACRL Suite. If you are interested (even if not a ALA/ACRL member), it is requested that you fill out a survey in order to find the best time possible for all.

New Health Sciences SIG for ACRL is a post from: EngLib

Twitter and conference meetings is a post from: EngLib

I presented at Brick and Click in 2004 and thoroughly enjoyed my experience.

Call for Proposals – Brick and Click is a post from: EngLib

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that those who cannot attend in person can register for the Virtual Conference, with synchronous and asynchronous sessions.

ACRL early-bird tomorrow is a post from: EngLib

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
(IFLA) Science and Technology Libraries Section is planning a two-hour program in Durban as part of the World Library and Information Congress 19-23 August 2007. The theme of the IFLA conference is “Libraries for the future: Progress, Development and Partnerships”

The conference is look for three papers to be selected for presentation. You must submit your proposal by January 15, 2007. Details after the jump…

All listings are quoted from the source document, website, or listserv post.

Call for Papers IFLA Science and Technology Libraries Section program for the World Library and Information Congress: 73rd IFLA General Conference and Council 19-23 August 2007, Durban, South Africa

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Science and Technology Libraries Section is planning a two-hour program in Durban as part of the World Library and Information Congress 19-23 August 2007. The theme of the IFLA conference is “Libraries for the future: Progress, Development and Partnerships”

Science and technology play an important role in promoting economic growth and social progress. In Africa, there is a need to build and boost science, engineering and technology capacity together with universities and research institutes. Developing local expertise is vital for a sustainable future. Higher education is crucial in ensuring that scientific and technical professionals can identify opportunities for innovation and scientific discoveries.

In recent years, these issues have been emphasized by policymakers such as the African Commission, Association of African Universities, and the G8 countries. A ten-year program to revitalize the universities of Africa is underway. The need to embed science, technology and innovation in all development programs has been stated by the Academies of Science of the G8 countries.

Libraries in science and technology are an important source of information that can help to realize the objectives of the developing programs. Our conference program will explore the role of the science and technology libraries in these circumstances under the theme “Changing trends in higher education and its impact on the delivery of science and technology information”. We are looking for papers that demonstrate or describe innovative ways in which libraries in the field of science and technology can contribute to and be partners in this development. Proposals are not limited to the African experience.

Three papers will be selected for presentation. Proposals for papers must be submitted by 15 January 2007 to Jill Mayer, e-mail jbmayer@email.unc.edu. The proposal should include a title, a 200-400 word abstract and relevant biographical information of author(s) / presenter(s).
Successful proposals will be identified by 15 February 2007 and the full paper is due by 1 May 2007.

Please note that all fees, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodation, etc. are the responsibility of the authors of accepted papers. For additional information, please contact Irma Pasanen, e-mail irma.pasanen@tkk.fi.

More papers is a post from: EngLib

The theme is Responding to the New in Sci-Tech and Engineering Libraries . The deadline for submission is October 31st.

Change is a constant in libraries and information centers and all indications are for more and bigger changes in the future. We are looking for papers that explore how you are informing, instructing, managing, providing, evaluating, or creating the modern information environments for your users with change in mind. Consider how you take advantage of new situations and changes that are coming to provide change leadership in your organization. Theoretical and practical approaches are welcome.

Possible questions include, but are not limited to:

• Has collaboration between corporate executives and librarians been increasing? Are external forces a large factor in what is driving change in your library?
• Are you working with faculty to incorporate more curriculum-based library instruction in your strategy?
• Do you spend more time evaluating existing services and using that data to develop new services?
• If fewer users are coming to our information centers or libraries to use traditional print resources how are we providing help in using the resources that they want?
• Is your website the most useful tool in providing services to your users? Are the Googles and MySpaces of the world forcing us to develop services that are more intuitive and offer better results?
• How are you going about increasing awareness and generating advocacy for the value of the library?

ELIGIBILITY: Any SLA member is welcome to submit an abstract for consideration. Preference will be given to members of the Science & Technology Division and the Engineering Division.

CRITERIA: Criteria for review will include relevance to the session theme and evidence of scholarship and methodology.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS: October 31, 2006.

ABSTRACT: A 300-500 word abstract should accurately convey the subject of the paper, its scope, conclusions, and relevance to the program theme.

PAPERS: If chosen, acceptance of your paper reflects a commitment on your part to:

• submit the complete text of your paper to the program convener by March 30, 2007.
• give a presentation of your paper for no longer than 20 minutes at the SLA annual conference June 3-6, 2007 in Denver, Colorado.
• allow your paper to be posted on the Sci-Tech Division website (http://www.sla.org/division/dst/) and/or printed in the session preprints

SUBMIT ABSTRACTS/QUESTIONS TO:
Roger Beckman
beckmanr@indiana.edu (e-mail submissions preferred)
Life Sciences Library and Chemistry Library
Indiana University
Jordan Hall A304
1001 E. Third St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-3700
Phone: (812) 855-9792 Fax: (812) 855-6612

SLA-Sci-Tech: call for papers for Denver is a post from: EngLib

The conference is free but you do need to register. The conference started October 10th and will continue on until October 22nd so you still have plenty of time to participate. “Working outside of the box: Science and Technology academic and corporate librarians interacting with non-traditional user groups, materials, spaces, and resources” is an asynchronous discussion and the site is open 24 hours a day.

SLA 2006 poster session web conference now in session is a post from: EngLib

Presenters are:

• Heather Joseph, Executive Director of SPARC
• Daviess Menefee, Director of Library Relations for the Americas at Elsevier
• Alice Ra’anan, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for the American Physiological Society
• Melissa Norton, Medical Editor for BioMed Central
• John Wilbanks, Executive Director of Science Commons
• Gavin Yamey, Senior Editor for Public Library of Science

Mass and Matter: Public Access to Scientific Discovery symposium is a post from: EngLib

Speakers are:

• Elizabeth Brown, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
  Introduction and Overview to Scholarly Communications
• David P. Martinsen, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC
  The impact of web technology on scholarly publishing
• Linda J. Miller, Nature Publishing, New York, NY
  Nature’s trial of open peer review
• Julia C. Blixrud, Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), Washington, DC
  Advocating for new models of scholarly communication: the role of SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition)
• William G. Town, Kilmorie Clarke Ltd, London, United Kingdom and Bryan Vickery, BioMed Central Ltd, London, United Kingdom
  Open access publishing in chemical research
• A. Ben Wagner, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
  Open access: changing the equation for scholars and librarians

Advance registration for NERM 2006 is available until September 11, 2006. A discounted registration fee ($65) is available for librarians attending the day of the symposium.

Future of Scholarly Communications symposium is a post from: EngLib

The following topics are suggested; they are not mandatory.

• Applications of Course Management Technologies in Engineering
  How are webCT, Blackboard or any other course management systems used by engineering librarians? Use of RSS, Wikis and ipods in distance learning. (Combining these two areas in one session; This depends on the number of abstracts received and accepted)
• Managing and Mentoring (such as breaking in to engineering librarianship and related issues)
  Panel discussion with new librarians and senior librarians on Challenges and Opportunities for New Engineering Librarians. Budget and Strategic Planning International library job exchanges
• Emergency Preparedness
  Use of libraries in Emergency Preparedness Experiences of real events and recommendations to ELD members based on those experiences
• Entrepreneurship, business and engineering information
  How are engineering librarians meeting business information needs of engineering students?
• Nanotechnology Information Access
  Session co-sponsored by other divisions including Materials and Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering and ELD on Nanotechnology research and teaching. USPTO, European Patent and the new patent classifications that address the interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology.
• Marketing/Outreach – innovative approaches
  ‘Getting to know you’ – relationship building/collaboration in Engineering Librarianship’; new and innovative ways of connecting with faculty and students

Scholarly communication/Institutional repositories

• ELD Technical Papers Session
  Papers that don’t fit into the other sessions go here.

ASEE-ELD: call for papers is a post from: EngLib

The theme of the contributed papers session is Increasing access to Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences Information. Papers should discuss original research, innovative projects, or other professional activities of interest relevant to the theme. You do not need to be a member of FAN or SLA to submit. Presentations will be 25 minutes long including a 5 minutes question period.

The deadline for submissions is September 18, 2006. Proposals must include author’s name, affiliation, full contact information, presentation title and 300-500 words abstract. Send by mail, email or fax to Luti Salisbury, Librarian/University Professor, Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences Subject Specialist, University of Arkansas, 365 N. Ozark Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701-4002, lsalisbu@uark.edu, Ph: 479-575-8418, Fax: 479-575-459
or
Anita Ezzo, Food Science & Technology Librarian, 100 Library, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1048, Phone: (517) 432-6123, ext 131, Fax: (517) 432-8050, E-mail: ezzoa@msu.edu.

SLA-FAN: call for papers is a post from: EngLib

ACRL-STS conference materials online is a post from: EngLib

SLA joint poster session is a post from: EngLib