The state of SLA

Information Outlook, July, 2005

The following was excerpted from the State of the Association address given June 8 by SLA Executive Director Janice Lachance:

As I walk you through a look at where we've been, where we are now, and where we're headed as an association. I'd like to color the conversation by reminding you of our vision: We are THE global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. To clarify things, consider our mission: We promote our members through learning, networking, and advocacy initiatives.

We're striving to be a broader, more inclusive community of information professionals, industry representatives, scholars, and leading thinkers. We are building that community by promoting interaction between and among members of the profession, representatives of the information industry, educators, thinkers, government officials, and policy makers through better learning experiences; the fostering of networking and collaboration; and emphasizing the importance of the community that occurs as a result of such interaction.

With our vision and mission in mind, let's look at the details of our overall performance.

Fact number one: We are a learning organization. We exist to provide a place where you can gain experience and knowledge easily and affordably. As of Monday, we became the first and only association in the world to provide the library and information profession with its own online professional development system. Click University sets a new standard for career development and transformation. I'm told that we can typically expect the education we receive from formal degree programs to benefit us for about 5 years. That means you must continue to seek out professional development opportunities throughout most of your career, if you are to continue your growth. Monday's launch marked the birth of Click University, so please keep watching its development over the next year as we make it a truly comprehensive toolkit for the profession.

In many organizations, launching Click would be enough, but in the past year we have also redefined our Virtual Learning Series, developing twin courses each month to deepen your skill development. And we've done this while cutting the price in half.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fact number two: Globalization is vital for success. In the past year, we've organized our newest chapter in Australia and New Zealand, a vital market for growth in the profession and our community. I visited members in the region earlier this year, some of whom are in the audience today. They are simply terrific. I can happily report that they are excited and eager to become a powerful force in SLA.

Fact number three: Community builds relationships that last. SLA seeks to create the kinds of interaction that adds value to your career, but also to your life experience. Nowhere is this more obvious than our Annual Conference. Just being here this week energizes us and helps us to realize that, when we pay our membership dues each year, there really is a global network standing by to help us, to support us, and to challenge us. Over 40 nations are represented here at SLA 2005, so I hope you've made the most of your time here by making YOUR network truly international!

Yesterday, the membership approved amendments to the association's bylaws that will allow electronic voting in future board elections and bylaws changes. This is a significant move, as it will allow us to build stronger community in the profession by allowing ALL members to be involved in shaping the future of the association. It's a perfect example of how YOU are helping to make community a priority for SLA.

Fact number four: Advocacy promotes our value and our values. Since I joined the staff at SLA Headquarters, we've made international outreach one of our highest priorities. By participating in conferences around the world, communicating our message to a variety of audiences, representing your interests in the making of government policy, establishing partnerships, and investing resources that communicate your value and the profession's values, we have begun to reposition SLA as a global force, an advocate for change, and a calculated risk-taker.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fact number five: Society can benefit from our work. Any profession must always consider its impact beyond the realm of its practice. There are global implications in the work you do, but there are great possibilities for generating positive results that help our fellow global citizens.

We're now actively engaged in a number of projects that are pushing the boundaries of our impact in the world. The study on the future of librarians in the workforce--funded by the U.S. Institute for Museum and Library Services--is underway. SLA, along with our partners at the University of North Carolina and the University of Pittsburgh, will be working on this endeavor over the next two years. The results could help us determine our future course in preparing the profession to be competitive and adaptive to change.