John Ganly

Information Outlook, Jan, 2001

JOHN GANLY is Assistant Director for Collections, Science, Industry and Business Library, New York Public Library (1993-present).

SLA Member Since: 1970

Past employment: Chief, Economics Division, New York Public Library (1984-92); Librarian, New York Public Library (1970-83); Purchasing Agent, Philips International (1966-70).

Education: Master of Arts, Political Science, New School for Social Research (1974);

MLS, Pratt Institute (1970); Bachelor of Business Administration, Baruch College (1969).

SLA Division Activities: Business and Finance Division: Chair (1997); Fundraiser (1998- present); Roundtable Coordinator (1993); Member (1970- present); Advertising and Marketing Division: Member (1970-present).

Other Professional Activities: Adjunct Professor, Rutgers University, School of Library and Information Science (1976-present); Adjunct Professor, Palmer School of Library Science (1998); Adjunct Professor, Columbia University School of Library Science (1982-86).

Awards and Honors: American Library Association, Gale Award for Excellence in Business Librarianship (1998); Special Libraries Association, President's Award (1993); Special Libraries Association, Disclosure Technology Award (1992); Member Beta Gamma Sigma, Business Honors Society.

Publications: Data Sources for Business and Market Analysis, 1983 and revision 1993 Scarecrow Press (LJ Business Books of the year); Small Business Sourcebook, Gale Research, 1983 (American Libraries Outstanding Reference Sources); Serials for Libraries, Neal- Schuman. 1985; CIRR Corporate and industry Research Reports Index, 1983.

What are the keys to the growth of the information profession its stature and its image?

Capitalising on the newfound respect accorded to information professionals is key to success. The skills needed to maximize effectiveness in the new information arena are the skill of the librarian and the value of these talents needs to constantly be stressed. Content, its identification, arrangement and delivery is commodity we have mastered and stressing this mastery is vital to our professional future.

What is your vision for the association during your time ii office, and what legacy would you like to leave behind? What is your strategy to implement this vision?

Lessining the arbitrary boundaries between the different areas which the members work is a goal I would like to follow. I would like to be able to help to strengthen the assciations role in defining the information professional as a person who deals with information wherever and whenever the opportunity presents itself and not as person who works in a particular library venue.

Explain a career-related accomplishment and how its outcome will relate to your success on the board of directors.

I am very proud of the fact that as chairperson of the board of PAIS I was able to lead the organization from a near bankruptcy position to a position as a strong member of the OCLC family. Learning from the complicated legal, business and personal issues that had to be resolved during the long process of the merger and the resolution of these issues will serve me well in dealing with the myriad of association issues facing the board.