July 2nd marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of SLA. On that day in 1909, some 20 attendees at the ALA annual conference met separately on the verandah of the Mt. Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods, N.H., USA, to form SLA and adopt a constitution that defined the “Object” as follows:
“The object of this Association is to promote the interests of the commercial, industrial, technical, civic, municipal and legislative reference libraries, the special departments of public libraries, universities, welfare associations, and business organizations.”
(For more on the founding of SLA, see Guy St. Clair’s book SLA at 100, published by SLA for the Centennial.)
What were the founders thinking when they chose to use the word “Special” in the name of SLA? From John Cotton Dana’s comments we know that the name was casually chosen in that the members were all “doing some special work in libraries.” We also know that the founders wanted the new association to be inclusive, and in fact, the association grew rapidly as information pioneers in a variety of settings signed up.
Now that we are 100, we are reconsidering the name of our association and the direction to take in recruiting new members. We have the evidence provided to us by the Alignment Project research, which shows that “special” does not resonate with those we serve. We have the evidence which shows that we can recruit information professionals who work outside of “special libraries.”
Upon the occasion of our centennial, this is precisely the time when we should be acting on these issues. Urge your colleagues to discuss the findings of the Alignment Project and what steps SLA should take to promote the interests of information professionals in the 21st Century. Be prepared to vote on a name change later this Centennial Year. Align in ‘09.
Posted by Tom R.
Categories: Special Event · Special Libraries Association (SLA)
Tagged: 100 Years, Alignment Project, Anniversary, Centennial, SLA, Special Libraries Association
To achieve our increased efforts of reaching out to the community, our displays for the month of June relied on collaborative partnerships with several area entities.
The month of June celebrates a variety of the aspects of American culture. At the NSU Broken Arrow library, we chose to highlight two national celebrations: the ‘Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Pride’ Month that highlighting LGBT contributions made to society; and the ‘National Zoos and Aquariums’ Month that highlights the importance of zoos and aquariums in educating the public about conservation. To create our displays, we relied on several area foundations that generously provided an abundance of materials.
We wish to graciously thank the Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library, the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum, and the Oklahoma Aquarium for their donations to our three displays. Thanks to the collaborative partnerships with these entities, the NSU Broken Arrow library was able to provide educational and enlightening exhibits for our patrons. 
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgendered, Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library, Oklahoma Aquarium, Tulsa Zoo, Zoos and Aquariums
If you’re able to get your hands on last Tuesday’s (June 16, 2009) edition of The Wall Street Journal make sure to take a look at the full-page advertisement from Dow Jones on page A16 (last page of the “A” section). It’s titled, “Some People Know How To Find All the Answers.” The ad was in honor of the 2009 Special Libraries Association’s Annual Conference from last week in Washington, DC.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Posted by Tom R.
Categories: Special Libraries Association (SLA)
Tagged: Advertisement, Publicity, Special Libraries Association, Wall Street Journal
The SLA Centennial Conference kicked off yesterday in Washington, DC. The opening keynote address was given by General Colin Powell — an excellent speech! Unfortunately I was unable to get a digital photo of myself with General Powell. The conference will continue through Wednesday of this week. The closing General Session will be moderated by Judy Woodruff who will moderate a panel of thought leaders (Robyn Meredith, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and John Patrick) who will share their insights on the future of their fields and the outlook for both information and information professionals!
Categories: Library Staff · Special Libraries Association (SLA)
Tagged: Annual Conference, Centennial, Colin Powell, John Patrick, Judy Woodruff, Neil deGrasse, Robyn Meredith, SLA, Special Libraries Association, Tom Rink, Washington DC
Our very own Dr. Pamela Louderback was notified this week that her application for promotion to the rank of Assistant Professor was approved by the RUSO (Regional University System of Oklahoma) Board of Regents!
Congratulations Dr. Louderback!
Categories: Library Staff · Special Event
Tagged: Assistant Professor, Library Faculty, NSU-BA Library, Pamela Louderback, Promotion, Tenure-Track
Today is Peace Officers Memorial Day. President Barak Obama has issued a proclamation for all flags to be flown at half staff on this day. I have included his proclamation for you to review.
WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY AND POLICE WEEK, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Every day, peace officers put on their uniforms and go to work to safeguard America’s communities and uphold the freedoms we hold dear. This week we honor their contributions and sacrifice.
Law enforcement officers routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect people they do not and will not know. They serve willingly and devotedly, and their commitment is essential for us to maintain a healthy quality of life, a strong economy, the safety of our families, and a robust national security system.
My Administration is working to keep Americans safe and to strengthen the Federal partnership with America’s peace officers. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which I recently signed, makes $4 billion available for State and local law enforcement. This provision will save or create thousands of law enforcement jobs across the country through the revitalized Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery Program. The Recovery Act also provides $2 billion through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. These measures will put more officers on the street and help those already serving to perform their jobs more effectively.
The benefits that peace officers provide come with great sacrifice. Every year, many give their lives in the performance of their duties. Their contributions live on in the communities they strengthened, and their service will never be forgotten. This week, as we recognize their commitment to duty, we renew our pledge to support their families and colleagues.
The President has been requested to designate May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of all Federal, State, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty, and to designate that week as Police Week in recognition of their service given to the United States (36 U.S.C. 136-37).
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2009, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 10 through May 16, 2009, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half staff from their homes and businesses on that day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
Categories: Special Event
Tagged: Peace Officers' Memorial Day, President Barack Obama, proclamation
NSU Librarians were present and visible at this week’s Annual Conference of the Oklahoma Library Association.
Emily Brown, Outreach Librarian at the Muskogee Campus, presented at one of Monday’s pre-conference events (Creating Online Tutorials); and, Linda West, Director of Technical Services at the John Vaughan Library in Tahlequah, presented at another pre-conference event (Not Books: Cataloging All Kinds of Non-Print Stuff). Kudos also go to Jackie Schumaker who presented at the Not-Books cataloging pre-conference.
Linda West also presented at the Professional Presentation Sessions.
Keep up the good work!
Categories: Instruction · Library Staff · Special Event
Tagged: Emily Brown, Kudos, Linda West, Northeastern State University, NSU, Oklahoma Library Association, OLA, presentations
Dena Leetch
Congratulations to our very own Dena Leetch (student worker) on being the recipient of the DELTA Trustworthy Award for the Spring 2009 semester.
And, if you see Tony Ward (Network Technician, C&T, NSU-BA) around campus, congratulate him as well. He was the recipient of the DELTA Trustworthy Award for the Fall 2008 semester. Congratulations Tony!
Here is a list of all of the student award winners, congratulations one and all!
Outstanding Seniors: Zachary Kemp, Martha Parnell, Katie Dorris, Mandy Looney, and Kelly Parlmer.
Jack L. Haney Service Award: Stephanie Ritchie.
DELTA Discipline Award: Russ Hunter (Fall ‘08); Stephen Hastings (Spr. ‘09)
DELTA Excellence Award: Samantha Hall (Fall ‘08); Whitney Rogers (Spr. ‘09)
DELTA Legacy Award: Heather Martin (Fall ‘08); Trishia Creamer (Spr. ‘09)
DELTA Trustworthy Award: Tony Ward (Fall ‘08); Dena Leetch (Spr. ‘09)
DELTA Ambassador Award: Angela Priest (Fall ‘08); Mary Wallen (Spr. ‘09)
DELTA Tashi Deley Award: Cherie Johnson (Fall ‘08); Sharon Williams (Spr. ‘09)
DELTA Outstanding LeaderAward: Jeff Stroberg (Fall ‘08); Jessica Barnes (Spr. ‘09)
DELTA Leadership
Categories: Library Staff · NSU-BA Staff
Tagged: BA Staff, DELTA Leadership Awards, leadership, library, Student Worker, Trustworthy
Hearty congratulations to our very own Linda Summers (Lib. Tech III) who was inducted into membership of Beta Phi Mu (the International Library Science Honor Society), the Lambda Chapter (University of Oklahoma) this weekend. Way to go Linda!
The motto of Beta Phi Mu is “Aliis inserviendo consumor,” which means “consumed in the service of others,” and emphasizes the service aspects of the library and information science professions.
Linda, kudos on this wonderful achievement and welcome to this exceptional group of professionals.
Other initiates for 2009 include:
Dale Evans, Gayla Ann Goff, Julia Layman, JoAnn Palmeri, Steven D. Shelton, S. Kirsten Davis, Sheri Perkins, Kristal Sergent, and Sarah VanGundy. Congratulations one and all!
Posted by Tom R.
Categories: Library Staff · NSU-BA Staff · Special Event
Tagged: Award, Beta Phi Mu, Induction, Lambda Chapter, Linda Summers, Service, University of Oklahoma
