This month’s theme is “learning & growing”.  There are a number of ways we as information professionals can discuss and even illustrate our growth.  Consider making a post today that talks about a resource or service that helps you professionally.

In addition, there are some great conversations taking place via LinkedIn Groups.  Why not weigh in…

Group: Special Libraries Association
Discussion: My background is in math, science, and software engineering.

Group: Special Libraries Association
Discussion: In the latest issue of Information Outlook, Seth Godin provacatively states that we need more incompetent librarians. He says that competence is the enemy of change. Does he have a point?

Group: SLA Europe and Leadership & Management Division of SLA
Discussion: Just curious, how often would you say that you engage in conversations via LinkedIn, i.e. once a week, twice a week, none, etc.?

The past twelve months were filled with a myriad of activities for LMD.  From a successful annual conference in Philadelphia with very popular programs to  virtual professional development opportunities in 2011 our division leadership team is working to bring the content requested by our membership.   The programming for Chicago is in place with many activities planned for the annual conference in 2012.  These are some of the highlights:

Two of our sessions at annual conference are designated as Spotlight Sessions:

1. Meaningful Measures: How Do Buyers and Sellers Show ROI?

2. Reinventing Library Skills

The range of other conference sessions is diverse from contract negotiation to marketing plus an architectural boat tour of Chicago and an open house.  There is something for everyone so make your plans soon to attend the SLA Annual Conference in 2012!  Our elections were held and new officers will be joining the leadership team next year.

We are on board with virtual professional development and hosted sessions in 2011 featuring Cindy Hill on Sept 22 and Matt Reis on Managing Conflicts on Oct 20.

Our new year starts off right with a  virtual session on Jan. 12, 2012 with Bethan Ruddock on Alternative Careers.  Wishing you a joyous holiday season!

Rebecca B. Vargha
Chair LMD 2012

Joint LMD-Consulting Section & Pharma & Health Technology Division Breakfast Session: SLA 2011. A Report by Jan Sykes. 

Speaker: Mary Ellen Bates

Sponsorship from Sage. There were approximately 30 persons in attendance.

Mary Ellen Bates, in a presentation entitled: “Pack Your Parachute:  Transitioning from the Library to an Independent Information Professional” discussed the skill set needed by persons interested in becoming information entrepreneurs including:

·         Tolerance for risk and ambiguity

·         Business owner perspective instead of employee mindset 

·         Client-focus

·         Strategic thinking

·         Self-discipline

Mary Ellen noted that she learned to be an independent information professional while working in a Fortune 500 company and she still draws on things learned earlier in her career: research skills, importance of a network of colleagues and the ability to identify opportunities to add value. She has developed business skills, such as the ability to close a sale, to talk comfortably about money and to look at herself as a brand and a business. She did not minimize the challenges of finding clients, managing cash flow, overcoming the imposter syndrome, keeping motivated and managing her time effectively. The serious, practical questions asked during the Q&A time suggest a number of persons are considering the pros/cons of ‘packing their parachute’

Dee Magnoni, LMD Chair and Ned Potter, ECCA Winner (Photo by: Jim Tchobanoff)

This year the Leadership & Management Division (LMD) helped sponsor Ned Potter, a winner of the SLA Europe’s Early Career Conference Award (ECCA.)  Ned is an Academic Liaison Librarian at the University of York in the UK and was recently named a 2011 Movers and Shakers by Library Journal.  LJs profile of  Ned gives a fascinating look at a person who is very “inspiring, confident, clear-thinking, and worth listening to.”  Ned created a great video of his personal impressions of the SLA Conference and LMD.

The Leadership & Management Division has co-sponsored a deserving recipient of the SLA Europe’s ECCA beginning in 2009.  Previous award winners include:

2010 Chris Rhodes

2009 Laura Woods

Karen J. Switt Leadership Award – 2011 Recipient – Patricia Cia

Presented at the LMD Annual Business Meeting & Tea, June 13, 2011 in Philadelphia

Dee Magnoni, LMD Chair with Patricia Cia. Photo by Jim Tchobanoff

As Co-Chairs of the Awards Committee for the Leadership & Management Division of Special Libraries Association, we are delighted to announce that Patricia Cia has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the Karen J. Switt Leadership Award.

Each year, the Leadership & Management Division honors a member who has shown outstanding leadership, served as a role model for others, and contributed significantly to SLA.  In 1999, the award was named in memory of Karen J. Switt, a much-admired and much-missed LMD member.

Those who have had the pleasure of working with Patricia appreciate her knowledge, dedication and reliability. She embodies the ideal described in the SLA “Competencies of an Information Professional.” Her leadership, technical skills, and pioneering of new technologies have benefited LMD and its members.

Patricia has exemplified the leadership qualities treasured in Karen J. Switt recipients. She has been very active in SLA as Chapter Cabinet Chair on the SLA Board of Directors, Leadership & Management Director, in various positions on the SLA Western Canada Board, and participated on at least one SLA committee, task force, advisory council, and the SLA Centennial Commission. Patricia was awarded SLA Fellow in 2007.

The Division wishes to thank C. Berger and Prenax Basch for their generous sponsorship of the award.

Stephen Kochoff and Carol Ginsburg , Awards Committee Co-Chairs
Leadership & Management Division, Special Libraries Association