Elsevier gift to help launch SLA Online University

Information Outlook, Jan, 2005

Elsevier, a publisher of scientific and medical information, has made a one-time gift to help launch the SLA Online University.

SLA Executive Director Janice R. Lachance believes Elsevier's commitment sets a standard for the information industry. "We are thrilled with the support Elsevier has shown for our campaign for professional development and, in particular, our online university. By helping us deliver on the important need of accessible and affordable professional development opportunities, they are directly aiding the growth of information professionals while enhancing the value of membership in SLA."

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Inspired by SLA's strategic focus on learning, the concept for the SLA Online University is to serve the continuing education needs of information professionals worldwide. Because of reduced budgets for professional development and travel, many SLA members around the globe lack the ability to participate in person at learning events.

Using a technologically advanced learning system, the SLA Online University will give information professionals access to course libraries focusing on development of critical business skills. In addition, the curriculum will comprise custom-designed courses on competencies that are crucial to the profession, such as content management, competitive intelligence, and identifying client needs.

SLA also expects to enhance the offerings of the Online University by including discounted access to online learning courses from many leading universities.

In a briefing at SLA headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, John Regazzi, managing director, market development, and CEO for Elsevier, Inc., said, "We at Elsevier are very pleased to have the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with SLA and its membership in this way. The innovative technology approach SLA is taking in bringing the Online University to fruition is right in line with our own emphasis on supporting and investing in new technologies, and our "Founding Partner" role in this initiative goes straight to the heart of Elsevier's firm commitment to supporting our customers as true partners."

Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. Elsevier's 7,000 employees in 74 offices worldwide publish more than 1,800 journals and 2,200 new books per year, in addition to offering a suite of electronic products, such as ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com), MD Consult (http://www.mdconsult.com), Scopus (http://www.news.scopus.com), bibliographic databases, online reference works and subject specific portals.

Elsevier (http://www.elsevier.com) is headquartered in Amsterdam, and has offices worldwide. Elsevier is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc (http://www.reedelsevier.com), a publisher and information provider. Operating in the science and medical, legal, education and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier provides information solutions to users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery.