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©1998, SLA WCC

The reduced attendance at the 1998 SLA annual conference in Indianapolis reflected the fact that, as a location, Indianapolis was not as popular as Seattle. However, the difference in numbers was no indication of the quality of the programs – both for incoming Chapter officers and chairs (DACOLT: Division and Chapter Officers Leadership Training) and for conference sessions.

DACOLT (more clearly described at the SLA website Leadership Information) continues to improve with each meeting. Compared to last year’s annual conference, the half-day Sunday program was well run, well organized, and packed with useful content. The Chapter Cabinet Chair-Elect, Anne Abate had us well prepared in advance with a flurry of emails to all Presidents and President-elects.

Lynne Woodbury, Senior Assistant Executive Director, Finance & Administration at SLA gave an excellent overview of SLA Headquarters.

... strengthen & enhance the image of the information professional...

The 39.5 staff (26 management and 13.5 support) work in teams – a senior management team for policies and procedures; a program management team, and a support staff team. SLA works closely within its Strategic Plan. Key objectives for 1999 are to strengthen and enhance the image of the librarian / information professional, and to build and retain SLA membership. The new membership directory (expected by the end of October) will greatly facilitate the functioning of each Chapter. There will be an online link with Quicken to assist the Treasurers. Chapters will be able to generate labels, reports, directories, etc. Lynne’s presentation reinforced the advantages of being part of SLA and clarified the services we can expect from headquarters. SLA is using the "virtual" tools to provide access for members 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Barbara Spiegelman, Manager of Technical Information and Communication, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and a long time SLA member and officer, gave a very useful overview of how to run a SLA Board meeting. This was very encouraging to all of us incoming Presidents. My notes will be available for next year’s President!

Since Indianapolis was not as convenient a location for western Canada SLA members, there were fewer Officers and Chairs from SLA/WCC in attendance. Despite this, our Chapter made its presence felt and certain members of your executive deserve special note. John Sinclair, our Edmonton Director, presented a session "Intranet Ornamentation: Getting the Attention You Deserve" to a standing room only crowd. Patricia Cia, our Communications Chair and the person who brings together our web site and electronic journal, Wired West impressed the audience with her power point presentation at the Web Authors’ Workshop. The Western Canada Chapter’s virtual initiatives were referred to numerous times during the conference proceedings. It was noted, at the Annual Board Meeting, that we were the first Chapter to send our annual report in by email (thanks to Rita Penco, of course).

The Annual Conference represented an ending to a successful, productive 1997/98 WCC season as well as a launch into the 1998/99 year. It was also an affirmation of the important role that SLA plays as an association that will lead its members into the next millenium. Your Officers and Chairs are excited about being part of this process and welcome participation from all members.

Contact any Western Canada Chapter Executive to find out how you can be involved.