NC/SLA Communicates

Contents:

Dear NC/SLA Member,

March Madness has ended, the drought may be finally ending and May is just around the corner and here’s the latest roundup of news from NCSLA.

NCSLA Now on Facebook

If you are a fan of Facebook, why not consider becoming a member of the new North Carolina Chapter – Special Libraries Association Group on Facebook? Fifteen NCSLA’ers have already joined the group, so why not join us? Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.

IMPROV CLASS

Sixteen members enjoyed the improv class taught by actor and trainer Greg Hohn. We did five activities: Swapping Corners, Mirror Movement, Rip Van Winkle, Talk Show Guests, and Smith & Sir. After the experience and debriefing, these were the lessons learned by the group:

· Be in the moment

· Trust yourself

· What does confidence look like? Me

· Function outside of a plan

· Give it the gas!

· Focus on your audience

· Practice in a safe place

· Status vs. power

· Task is the same regardless of the audience

· Play a role when stepping outside comfort zone

· Move beyond the fear

· Presentation techniques

· Shift thinking from worst-case scenarios to best-case

· Be aware of self

· It’s better to be good now than perfect later

· Do self-evaluation before or after, not during the process

AWARDS BANQUET REPORT

Historic Castle McCulloch in Jamestown, NC was the site for our Annual Awards Banquet on April 22nd. What a fitting site to be reminded of the noble past and exciting future of our profession!

Ann Stringfield received the Meritorious Achievement Award for her notable and enduring contributions to the chapter and to the profession. Dav Robertson remembered Ann’s many contributions to the chapter. Larry Skladanowski remarked on Ann’s professionalism at Lorillard and her service to NC libraries through Infocrofters.

Jamal Cromity received the Horizon Award as a relatively new chapter member who, through work and professional activities, shows promise of becoming an outstanding member of the profession. Debbie Balsamo and Barb LeBlanc noted Jamal’s newly-revised, more appealing and user-friendly chapter website. Although Jamal couldn’t be there to accept his award in person, he sent his thanks.

Guy St. Clair reminded us that special librarians have always been the gatekeepers of our organizations’ knowledge and the importance of growing our impact in this arena. He suggested that we:

· Value our “idea people” even when the avalanche of new ideas feels overwhelming

· Collaborate throughout our organizations, especially with IT

· Communicate upward

· Report our activities using business language that demonstrates our contribution to productivity, sales, and the organizational mission

· Focus on higher-level services and train end-users to do their own basic research

· Get familiar with Web 2.0 technologies

Joanie Olivier conducted a chapter business meeting with reports from our chairpersons.

Thanks again to our generous sponsors who made this evening a truly special occasion -- D&B, Ebsco, Iconitel, Infocrofters, and Inmagic!

UPCOMING EVENTS

WEB 2.0 ROUNDTABLE

Members experienced with Web 2.0 technology in special libraries will lead 30-45 minute discussions. There will be 6-8 tables and 4-5 sessions throughout the afternoon so participants can learn about or share their experience with:

· Blogs and wikis

· Facebook, LinkdIn, and Ping

· Flickr

· Online image generators and mash-ups

· RSS and news feeds

· Del.icio.us and Technorati

· Library Thing and other book networking sites

· Podcasts

Discussion leaders recruited so far are: Rebecca Vargha, Erin Iannachione, Barb LeBlanc, Jamal Cromity, and Josh Wilson. Jamal Cromity will present an overview and wrap-up based on his forthcoming article in Quantum2.

Date: Wednesday, July 23^rd from 1:00 – 4:00

Location: National Humanities Center, RTP

Watch the NCSLA website and discussion list for registration information!

MARKET RESEARCH

Karin Shank is planning a joint workshop about business information with BLINC (Business Librarianship in North Carolina, Div. of NCLA). Two possible topics are "Market Research on the Cheap", and/or "Finding 'Hidden' Company Information."

Date: September

Location: NC Biotechnology Center, RTP

Watch the chapter website and discussion list for more details!

OFFICER INSTALLATION BANQUET

Let’s celebrate a successful year in NCSLA and welcome our new officers. Dav Robertson, Chair of SLA’s Centennial Commission, will report on the commission’s plans for marking this pivotal milestone in our profession. He’ll have ideas for celebrating as an association, as a chapter, and as librarians across the state.

Date: November or December

Location: Possibly at Maggiano’s at Southpoint Mall in Durham

Watch the chapter website and discussion list for more details!

Best regards,

Sheila Devaney, Jamal Cromity, Barb LeBlanc, & Phillip Senn (your Communications Team)

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