Food

The mission of the Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Division of the Special Libraries Association is to provide a forum for discussion of common aspects of food and agricultural librarianship; to keep abreast of the latest information technologies and trends; and to provide opportunities for networking with other information professionals.

1. To provide an organization that will attract individuals having a common interest in special libraries in the fields of food, food technology, agriculture, and nutrition.

2. To respond to the changing needs and concerns of members through program planning, educational endeavors, publications, special projects and other activities.

3. To provide an effective organizational structure with mechanisms through which the Division's goals may be accomplished.

4. To enhance our image by promoting the value of professional information services both within and outside our respective organizations.

5. To provide a forum for the communication and exchange of ideas and information pertinent to the interests and job responsibilities of members

Goal 1: To provide an organization that will attract individuals having a common interest in special libraries in the fields of food, food technology, agriculture and nutrition.

1.1. Provide dynamic continuous learning and professional development to advance all levels of member experience and knowledge

1.2. Recognize the diversity of members (levels, knowledge, needs, age) and provide services and programs that are targeted to meet these needs

1.3. Recruit new member populations that enhance our capabilities as information professionals and knowledge leaders

ACTION PLANS

2001-2002	2002-2003	2003-2004
1.1.1 Continue to include subject-focused roundtables in conference planning.	Ongoing	Ongoing
1.1.2 Publish summaries of the entire content of the annual conference programs in Food for Thought and/or as separate papers that members can request.	Ongoing	Ongoing
1.1.3 Make taped annual conference sessions available for checkout to members. (Suggested for 1999-2000, postponed)	Evaluate	Evaluate
1.2.1 Begin publishing Food for Thought electronically in PDF format and discontinue print edition.	Continue publishing in PDF and explore HTML version	Ongoing
1.2.2 Begin updating electronic version of FAN Library directory available at FAN website.	Establish Committee to determine content of directory and mechanism for updating	Update annually
1.3.1 Continue active recruitment of new FAN members.	Explore use of FAN brochure in recruitment	Continue active recruitment
1.3.2 Provide support from 1998 through 2002 for MLS/MIS student through Kathryn Kohli Scholarship by following up on recommendations made at June 1997, Board Meeting.	Decide, on an annual basis, to continue support of the Kathryn Kohli Scholarship.	Ongoing
1.3.3 Appoint Scholarship Task Force to investigate new scholarship opportunities.	Implement Task Force recommendations	Evaluate and/or continue scholarship support

Goal 2: To respond to the changing needs and concerns of members through program planning, educational endeavors, publications, special projects and other activities.

2001-2002

2002-2003

2003- 2004

2.1.1 Plan programs that are relevant and responsive to members’ professional needs and concerns

Ongoing

2.2.1 Implement measures to address members’ needs as determined by survey

Conduct a member survey.

Implement measures to address members’ needs as determined by survey

Goal 3: To provide an effective organizational structure with mechanisms through which the Division's goals may be accomplished

3.1 Establish and maintain committees in accordance with the Bylaws and the Procedures manual

3.2 Ensure that the division procedures are in agreement with SLA's. Revise procedures manual and/or bylaws every five years as needs change (procedures manual revised in 2002; by-laws amended in 1998.)

3.3 Review and update the Divisions' mission statement, goals and objectives so that they are in alignment and reflect the current situation and trends

1. Committees were established at annual conference and committee chairs attended board meetings.

ACTION PLANS

2001-2002	2002-2003	2003-2004
3.1.1 The Division Chair will appoint committee chairs prior to the conference at which he or she takes offices. These individuals will attend the FAN Board meeting to be held during the Annual Conference, offering suggestions and assistance to the chair for the ensuing year. The Division Chair may assign specific activities to various committee chairpersons.	Ongoing	Ongoing
3.1.2 Maintain FAN archives at permanent location.	Maintain FAN Archives	Maintain FAN archives
3.2.1 Review and update the FAN Procedures Manual	Ongoing	Ongoing
3.3.1 The FAN Board and Strategic Planning committee determines items to be included in future strategic plans. Seek input from officers and members for additions or changes to the strategic plan. Include those items that are possible and practical for the division to accomplish. Monitor progress.	Ongoing	Ongoing
3.3.2 Executive Board reviews and updates Division’s mission, goals and objectives. Share information with persons updating the bylaws and the procedure manual.	Ongoing	Ongoing

Promoting the Value of the Information Professional

Goal 4: To enhance our image by promoting the value of professional information services both within and outside our respective organizations

4.2 Encourage members to share professional techniques in enhancing service to their organization

4.4 Create a greater awareness of value of the information professional's role in their organization.

1. The Awards Committee continued its work of selecting a member for FAN’s Distinguished Member Award and arranging for funding and the plaque.

4. FAN was recognized in the focus group session on conference planning for its joint sponsorship of a program on Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

5. FAN received a plaque from the American Chemical Society in recognition of outstanding support.

2001-2002	2002-2003	2003-2004
4.1.1 The Awards Committee solicits nominations for the current year’s Distinguished Member Award, makes the award selection and arranges for the production and engraving of the plaque	Ongoing	Ongoing
4.1.2 Identify and honor retiring FAN members as recommended in June 1997 Board Meeting. Explore establishing a recognition award to honor retiring members.	Ongoing	Ongoing
4.2.1 Identify members who have utilized customer surveys and benchmarked library services. Post to discussion list.	Ongoing	Ongoing
4.3.1 The Nominating Committee will send letters of thanks to nominees and the Chair will send letters of thanks to officers and, with the individual’s permission, will send a copy to their supervisor.	Ongoing	Ongoing
4.3.2 Develop sponsorship brochure for distribution to vendors to promote awareness and support of FAN Division	Update brochure annually	Ongoing
4.4.1 Designate a person responsible for submitting articles or news items to Information Outlook.	Ongoing	Ongoing
4.4.2 Encourage FAN members to submit articles to non-library publications or have articles written about their libraries (e.g., get a trade journal such as Food Processing to do an article on several FAN libraries).	Ongoing	Ongoing
4.4.3 Support SLA’s public relations efforts to improve the image of special librarians by encouraging individual libraries to promote their libraries during National Library Week, and especially on International Special Librarians Day. Identify members who have had promotional activities and post to discussion list.	Ongoing	Ongoing
4.5.1 Submit information to nomination committee for SLA Public Relations Media Award	Ongoing	Ongoing

Building the Virtual Division

Goal 5: To provide a forum for the communication and exchange of ideas and information pertinent to the interests and job responsibilities of members. Publish and distribute a FAN Division brochure

5.1 Provide the means for members to communicate, learn, govern, organize and collaborate in a virtual environment

2001-2002	2002-2003	2003- 2004
5.1.1 Publish Food for Thought electronically. Discontinue print edition.	Ongoing	Ongoing
5.1.2 Promote the use of the discussion list and Home Page in the brochure and newsletter.	Ongoing	Ongoing
5.1.3 Maintain and update FAN home page.	Ongoing	Ongoing