1998 PAM Division Planning Survey Results

Compiled by 1997/98 Strategic Planning Committee:

Antoinette Beiser, Karen Croneis (chair), Gary Davidoff, Dorothy McGarry, Robert Michaelson

This web site is a summary of responses to a survey of PAM members and friends conducted in February 1998 by the PAM Strategic Planning Committee. The survey results will be used to identify future directions and set priorities for the Division.

PART I -- You and Your Library

1. Category which most accurately describes you:

142 A member of both SLA and PAM [Category: PAM]
2 A member of SLA but not of PAM [Category: FR (Friend)]
10 Not a member of either SLA or PAM [Category: FR (Friend)]
154 Total number of replies [Category: ALL]

2. Number of years in the library/information science profession:

PAM FR ALL Reply
19 3 22 1-5 years
20 3 23 6-10 years
27 2 29 11-15 years
75 4 79 16+ years
141 12 153 TOTALS

3. Current work status (Check all that apply):

PAM FR ALL Reply
114 10 124 Full-time employee
6 0 6 Retired
1 0 1 Not currently employed
0 0 0 Self-employed
16 2 18 Part-time employee
2 1 3 Student
1 0 1 Temporary employee
140 13 153 TOTALS

4. Location (Country and State/Province) of employer if employed. Location of residence if not employed.

(142 PAM; 12 FR; 154 Total)

UNITED STATES: (129 PAM; 11 FR)
- Arizona: 5(PAM)
- Arkansas: 1(PAM)
- California: 24(PAM)
- Colorado: 3(PAM)
- Connecticut: 1(PAM)
- District of Columbia: 3(PAM), 1(FR)
- Florida: 2(PAM)
- Hawaii: 3(PAM)
- Illinois: 9(PAM), 1(FR)
- Indiana: 2(PAM), 1(FR)
- Maine: 1(PAM)
- Maryland: 5(PAM)
- Massachusetts: 8(PAM), 1(FR)
- Michigan: 6(PAM)
- Minnesota: 1(PAM)
- Missouri: 3(PAM)
- New Hampshire: 2(PAM)
- New Jersey: 2(PAM), 1(FR)
- New Mexico: 5(PAM)
- New York: 22(PAM), 3(FR)
- North Carolina: 2(PAM)
- North Dakota: 1(FR)
- Ohio: 4(PAM)
- Oklahoma: 1(PAM)
- Oregon: 1(PAM)
- Pennsylvania: 6(PAM)
- Texas: 3(PAM), 1(FR)
- Virginia: 1(PAM)
- Washington: 2(PAM)
- West Virginia: 1(PAM)
- Wisconsin: 1(FR)

CANADA: (7 PAM; 1 FR)
- Alberta: 1(PAM)
- British Columbia: 1(PAM)
- Manitoba: 1(PAM)
- Ontario: 3(PAM)
- Quebec: 1(PAM), 1(FR)

AUSTRALIA:
- Australian Capital Territory: 1(PAM)

CHILE:
- Santiago: 1(PAM)

FRANCE:
- (Unspecified): 1(PAM)

GERMANY:
- Garching: 1(PAM)

SOUTH AFRICA:
- Western Cape: 1(PAM)

UNITED KINGDOM:
- Bristol: 1(PAM)

5. Please indicate degree(s) in Library/Information Science:

PAM FR ALL Reply
9 0 9 None
8 0 8 Bachelor's
119 12 131 Master's
1 0 1 Ph.D.
4 0 4 Other*
141 12 153 TOTALS

* Other
- Certificate in Archival Management -- 1
- AA Library Science -- 1
- Working towards MLIS -- 2
- Diploma (German Bachelor's Degree) --1

6. Please indicate subject degree(s) in areas other than Library/Information Science:

PAM FR ALL Reply
10 0 10 None
111 7 118 Bachelor's*
34 6 40 Master's*
5 0 5 Ph.D.*
1 0 1 Other*

	*Bachelors Degrees:
		American History -- 1
		American Studies -- 1
		Anthropology -- 7
		Art/Fine Art -- 3
		Asian Studies -- 1
		Biology -- 10
		Business Administration -- 3
		Chemistry -- 5
		Comparative Literature -- 1
		Computer Science -- 2
		Dance -- 1
		Ecology -- 1
		Economics -- 1
		Education -- 4
		Electrical Engineering -- 1
		Engineering -- 2
		English -- 4
		English Literature -- 1
		Forest Biology -- 1
		Forestry -- 1
		French -- 2
		General Science -- 4
		Genetics -- 2
		Geography -- 3
		Geology -- 5
		German -- 2
		History  -- 4
		Home Economics -- 1
		Honors -- 1
		Journalism -- 2
		Latin -- 1
		Latin American Studies -- 1
		Linguistics -- 1
		Materials Science -- 2
		Mathematics -- 12
		Mathematics Education -- 1
		Music -- 1
		Organ -- 1
		Philosophy -- 1
		Physics -- 12
		Political Science -- 2
		Psychology -- 1
		Religious studies -- 1
		Russian and Russian Studies -- 2
		Social Science/Social Science Ed. -- 3
		Sociology -- 2
		Spanish -- 2
		Zoology --1
		BA no subject area given -- 1
		BS no subject area given -- 1

	* Masters Degrees:
		Archeology -- 1
		Asian Studies -- 1
		Biology and Plant Biology -- 2
		Botany -- 1
		Business Administration -- 1
		Chemistry -- 2
		Communications -- 1
		Education -- 1
		Engineering -- 1
		English -- 1
		Fine Arts -- 1
		Geography -- 1
		Geology -- 3
		German -- 1
		History -- 2
		History of Science -- 1
		Human Resource Mgmt. -- 1
		Industrial Engineering -- 1
		Linguistics -- 1
		Marine Biology -- 1
		Material Science -- 1
		Mathematics -- 3
		Medieval History -- 1
		Music -- 1
		Paleontology -- 1
		Philosophy of Science -- 1
		Physics -- 3
		Physical Chemistry -- 1
		Psychology -- 2
		Slavic languages & literature -- 1
		Statistics -- 2
		Theology -- 1
	* Ph.D.:
		Biology -- 1
		Botany -- 1
		Chemistry -- 2
		Educational Mgmt/Admin. -- 1
		Paleontology -- 1
		Physics -- 1

	* Other:
		Paralegal certificate -- 1
		Course work-masters in geoscience -- 1
		High school teacher's diploma -- 1
		Ph.D. in Musicology in progress -- 1
		Educational technology -- 1

7. Type of library in which you work:

PAM FR ALL Reply
86 11 97 Academic Library
16 0 16 Not-for-profit Library
7 0 7 Not currently employed
3 0 3 Don't work in a library
5 0 5 Corporate Library
18 1 19 Government Library
6 0 6 Other type of library*
141 12 153 TOTALS

* Other type of library:

Academic (1 retired) -- 2
Government (retired) -- 1
Government contractor -- 1
Laboratory -- 1
Library school -- 1
Museum -- 1
National Laboratory -- 1
Public Library -- 2
Publishing -- 2
Research -- 1

8. Your subject specializations: (Check all that apply.)

PAM FR ALL Reply
76 8 84 Physics
62 9 71 Mathematics
69 6 75 Astronomy
46 7 53 Computer Science
60 5 65 Other*

	* Other
		Aerospace -- 1
		Agriculture -- 1
		Applied Science -- 2
		Atmospheric Sciences -- 2
		Biology -- 7
		Business and Economics -- 1
		Cartographic Materials -- 1
		Chemistry -- 21
		Civil Engineering -- 2
		Computer Engineering -- 2
		Current Affairs -- 1
		Earth Sciences -- 3
		Electrical Engineering -- 2
		Engineering (General)-- 14
		Environmental Studies -- 1
		Family Environmental Sciences -- 1
		General Science -- 11
		Geography -- 2
		Geology -- 11
		Geophysics -- 3
		Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering -- 1
		Instrumentation -- 1
		Health Sciences -- 2
		History & Philosophy of Science -- 2
		Management -- 1
		Materials Science -- 3
		Mathematical Statistics -- 2
		Mechanical Engineering -- 2
		Microbiology -- 1
		Navigation -- 1
		Nuclear Engineering -- 1
		Ocean Science -- 1
		Operations Research -- 2
		Optics -- 3
		Patent Searching in CS, Math, AI -- 1
		Planetary Science -- 1
		Polymers and Coatings -- 1
		Psychology -- 3
		Pure Science -- 1
		Russian studies -- 1
		Statistics -- 4
		Sports -- 1
		Transportation -- 1

If you are not currently employed, please go to Question 11.

9. Current job title:

PAM Members (One mention unless otherwise noted)

Librarian - 17
Science Librarian - 7
Reference Librarian - 6
Head - 4
Assistant Librarian - 4
Technical Information Specialist - 3
Reference Librarian/Bibliographer - 2
Physics Librarian - 2
Physics/Astronomy Librarian - 2
Head, Math Library - 2
Associate Librarian - 2
Head, Science/Engineering Library - 2
Math Librarian - 2
Technical Librarian
Sci-Eng/Undergraduate Services Librarian
Astronomy Librarian and Publications Editor
Astrophyiscs Librarian
Librarian, Physical and Engineeering Sciences
Head Librarian, Engineering Library
Head, Math Research
Coordinator, NYPL Express
Assistant in Charge, Library
Laboratory Librarian
Library Special
Manager, Information Services
Science Cataloger
Head, Library and Information Services
Branch Librarian, Astronomy
Physical Sciences Coordinator for Collection Services
Natural Sciences Librarian
Adjunct Associate Professor
Technical Research Analyst
Engineering and Physical Sciences Librarian
Chief Cataloger/Reference Librarian
Manager
Assistant Branch Librarian
Manager, Bibliographic Services
Science Reference Librarian
Manager/Collection Specialist
Head Librarian
Head, Physical Sciences Library
Biology, Physics and Astronomy Librarian
Information Specialist
Physical Sciences Librarian
Associate Marketing Manager
Senior Assistant Librarian
Public Services/Assistant Systems Librarian
Library Manager
Head, Physics Library and Head, Math Library
Managing Director
Head, Departmental Libraries
Head, Engineering Library
Head, Physics/Astronomy Library
Librarian Assistant II
Research Librarian
Manager, Information Support Services
Emerita!
Associate Professor
Head, Chemistry Library
Bibliographer for Math, Statisics, CS, and Science Reference
Library Administrator
Manager, Technical Information Services
Reference Librarian/Subject Specialist
Head Librarian, Physics/Math/Astronomy Library
Acquisitions Librarian
Serials Librarian
Librarian/Archivist
Coordinator, Reference and Electronic Services
Director of Science Libraries
Consultant
Physical, Mathematical & Ocean Sciences Bibliographer
Head, Chemistry/CS Library
Manager, Business/Econ and Sci/Tech/Patents
Head, Physics/Optics/Astronomy Library
Collection Manager
Senior Library Associate
Collection Development Librarian
Head, Reference and Research Services
Sci/Engineering Librarian
Physical Sciences Librarian
Head/Coordinator, Physical Sciences (?) Libraries
Senior Technical Librarian
Senior Librarian
Assistant Professor/Science and Engineering Librarian
Director, Science and Engineering Libraries

PAM Friends

Science Librarian - 3
Librarian - 2
Technical Reference Librarian
Physical Sciences Librarian and Supervisor, Chemistry Library
Technial Librarian
Assistant Head, Chemistry Library
Library Assistant
Assistant Librarian
Physical and Mathematical Sciences Bibliographer/Reference Librarian

10. Current job primary duties:

PAM FR ALL Reply
81 5 86 Administration
35 3 38 Cataloging
106 9 115 Collection development
46 4 50 Database management
115 10 125 Reference
79 8 87 Supervision
61 5 66 Other/additional duties

* Other

Instruction/BI -- 20
Committee work -- 11
Liaison/outreach -- 11
Web development -- 9
Computers/network support -- 7
Professional activities -- 5
Archives -- 4
ILL/document delivery -- 6
Editorial/publications -- 4
Technical services -- 4
Stack control -- 4
Circulation -- 2
Marketing/new products -- 2
Searching -- 2

PART II -- You and SLA

Note: If you are not a member of SLA, please go to Question #16.

11. How many years have you been a member of SLA?

PAM FR ALL Reply
40 1 41 1- 5 years
31 0 31 6-10 years
26 0 26 11-15 years
43 1 44 16+ years
140 2 142 TOTALS

12. Do you consider Physics-Astronomy-Mathematics (PAM) your primary SLA division?

PAM FR ALL Reply
97 0 97 Yes, it is my primary division.
20 1 21 No, my primary division is not PAM.*
24 0 24 PAM is "co-equal" with another division (or two).**
136 1 137 TOTALS

* Primary Divisions (more than one mentions):
- Sci/Tech -- 11
- Chem -- 4
- Bio -- 2
** PAM co-equal with (more than one mentions):
- Sci/Tech -- 12
- Chem -- 8
- Bio -- 4
- Solo -- 2

13. List any other SLA divisions and caucuses to which you belong:

Note: The following are Divisions unless otherwise noted.

Science-Technology - 27
Chemistry - 14
Information Technology - 13
Engineering - 11
Solo Librarians - 10
Library Management - 8
Geography & Map - 4
Business & Finance - 4
Environment & Resource Management - 4
Gay & Lesbian Issues Caucus - 3
Biomedical and Life Sciences (aka Biology) - 4
Aerospace Engineering (?) - 3
Museums, Arts & Humanities - 3
News - 2
Information Futurist Caucus - 2
Baseball Caucus - 2
Retired Members Caucus - 1
Women's Issues Caucus - 1
Military Librarians - 1
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition - 1
Petroleum & Energy Resources - 1
Metals/Materials - 1
Communications - 1
Telecommunications(?) - 1

14. Have you ever served (or are you currently serving) in a leadership role in PAM?

PAM FR ALL Reply
69 0 69 YES, I have/am.
25 0 25 Yes, held a PAM office (chair, chair-elect, secretary, treasurer)
44 0 44 Yes, served on a PAM committee
30 0 30 Yes, chaired a PAM committee
37 0 37 Yes, organized a PAM conference roundtable
9 0 9 Yes, served as Bulletin editor
8 0 8 Yes, served as liaison with vendors/publishers
10 0 10 Yes, other*

	* Yes, other:
		Bulletin -- 3
		listserv/PAMnet -- 3

PAM	FR	ALL	Reply
71	1	72	No, I haven't or am not.
29	0	29	No, not enough time
8	0	8	No, never asked
9	0	9	No, no desire
10	1	11	No, don't know enough about what's involved
21	0	21	No, other**

	** No, other:
		New to PAM -- 6
		Other prof. activities -- 6
		Travel problems -- 4
		Funding problems -- 2

15a. Have you served (or are you currently serving) in a leadership role (e.g., office, committee chair, bulletin editor, liaison) in other divisions?

PAM FR ALL Reply
110 2 112 No
26 0 26 Yes
136 2 138 TOTALS

15b. Have you served (or are you currently serving) in a leadership role in any caucuses?

PAM FR ALL Reply
126 2 128 No
3 0 3 Yes
129 2 131 TOTALS

15c. Have you served (or are you currently serving) in a leadership role in any chapters?

PAM FR ALL Reply
81 2 83 No
51 0 51 Yes
132 2 134 TOTALS

15d. Have you served (or are you currently serving) in a leadership role at the Association level?

PAM FR ALL Reply
126 2 128 No
7 0 7 Yes
133 2 135 TOTALS

16. How frequently have you attended SLA Annual Conferences in the last five years (1993-1997)?

PAM FR ALL Reply
56 1 57 Regularly (4 or 5 times)
39 1 40 Occasionally (2 or 3 times)
45 10 55 Seldom or never (0 or 1 time)
140 12 152 TOTAL

17. If you have not attended an SLA Annual Conference in the past three years (1995, 1996, 1997), please [check] the three (3) primary reasons why you have not attended.

PAM FR ALL Reply
19 3 22 Too expensive
7 3 10 Bad location for me
15 4 19 Family responsibilities
3 4 7 Would rather go to another conference
2 0 2 Joined SLA but never intended to go to Annual Conference
7 1 8 Management doesn't allow conference travel
4 1 5 Programs don't meet my needs
7 1 8 Not enough time
5 0 5 Too much work at the office
12 2 14 Other*

	* Other (more than one mention):
		Funding problems -- 5
		New to SLA -- 4
		Retired -- 2

18. If you chose "programs don't meet my needs" in the previous question (#17), what programming changes would make you more likely to attend?

Practical/concrete -- 2 mentions:
- "Sessions which specifically teach something like creating intranets, refreshers on database searching, etc. would be really helpful -- instead of making us pay extra to take courses on those topics which are held prior to the conference."
- "More actual practice, less discussion on 'Are we professionals?', 'Dress for Success' and theoretical stuff."
More leading edge -- 1 mention.

19. Will you attend the SLA Annual Conference in Indianapolis in June 1998?

PAM FR ALL Reply
68 1 69 Yes*
47 6 53 No*
26 4 30 Don't know yet*
141 11 152 TOTALS

* Yes, will attend (more than one mention):
- Networking -- 22
- Official/committee duties -- 20
- Keep up/learn -- 18
- Nearby/easy travel -- 9
- Programs/roundtables useful -- 8
- Always like SLA conferences -- 6
- Exhibits -- 5
- Professionally valuable -- 5
* No, will not attend (more than one mention):
- Other professional meetings and/or only allowed 1 meeting -- 14
- Funding problems -- 17
- Time constraints/other conflict -- 12
- Site poor/too far -- 9
- Other(s) in organization go -- 5
- Out of country -- 1
* Don't know yet (more than one mention):
- Funding problems -- 13
- Other professional meetings and/or only allowed 1 meeting -- 7
- Time constraints/other conflict -- 6
- Other(s) in organization go -- 4
- Program doesn't appeal -- 3
- Site poor/too far -- 3

20a. If you have attended an SLA Annual Conference in the past three (3) years, please indicate the most recent conference you attended.

PAM FR ALL Reply
2 0 2 1995 in Montreal
14 1 15 1996 in Boston
88 1 89 1997 in Seattle
26 4 30 Haven't attended in the last 3 years
130 6 136 TOTALS

20b. Based on the most recent SLA Annual Conference you attended, how would you rate the following conference activities? (Note: Responses from PAM members and friends are combined for these items.)

Activity Great Good So-so Poor Don't Know
Physics roundtable 21 41 5 0 35
Math roundtable 20 31 6 1 45
Astronomy roundtable 12 32 7 0 42
Computer Science roundtable 11 25 4 0 51
PAM business meeting/breakfast 15 32 11 1 38
PAM Program event(s) 10 56 8 0 22
PAM-wide roundtable 20 44 8 0 27
PAM vendor update 25 46 9 1 27
PAM Saturday night get-together 11 19 7 0 50
PAM open houses 22 40 20 1 23

20bja. Number of open houses PAM should have:

PAM FR ALL Reply
18 0 18 1 open house
55 1 56 2 open houses
15 0 15 3 open houses
88 1 89 TOTALS

20bjb. Best days for open houses:

PAM FR ALL Reply
1 0 1 Not able to attend
43 1 44 Flexible
1 0 1 Saturday
40 0 40 Sunday
25 0 25 Monday
20 0 20 Tuesday
3 1 4 Wednesday

21. What changes would you like to see in PAM programs at the Annual Conference?

Likes programming--7
Two hour (or longer) round tables for more discussion (or just more discussion)--5
Vendor updates liked--4; waste of time or needs upgrading--2
Limit open houses--3; not--1 (this is covered elsewhere)
Analysis of future developments in information technology; hands-on; software, computer science, emerging technologies, HTML ...--3
Repeat some talks because of conflicts with other programs (also conflict with business meetings)--3
More CE programs sponsored by PAM--2
Breaks, and more time for exhibits--2
Overlap in round table discussions--2
N/A or no comment--5

Single comments:

More meaty
Sunday p.m. not a.m.
Realistic estimates of meeting room size needed
Programs on future of the profession
Would like to see/hear videotape session within next 2-3 days by turning to a specific channel
Show and tell at an open house
What other libraries are doing with their archives
Change order of round tables
Do more with other divisions, particularly programs focused on academic libraries
Keep focussed on our subject areas
Share journal cancellation techniques
More programs geared specifically toward PAM librarianship, e.g., a panel/session on scholarly communications with speakers who are faculty professors/researchers, or programs highlighting new/exciting research activities in physics/astronomy/math, or management of information/research data sets (e.g., lab notes), particularly how to archive these materials, much of which is only in electronic form
Keep networking dinner

PART III -- You and Other PAM Services

22. How would you rate the following PAM services? (Note: Responses from PAM members and friends are combined for this question.)

Service Great Useful Marginal Poor Don't Know No Access
PAM Web Site 22 69 14 1 34 2

Comments on PAM Web Site:
- OK-not good, not inspiring, links not up-to-date, improve appearance, more resources, more detailed arrangement--18
- Subject lists could be annotated--2
- Likes paper -- 1
- Move to SLA -- 1
- Collection development section for each subject area -- 1
- Create an archive for PAM reports, surveys, minutes, etc. -- 1
- Reviews of resources -- 1
- No comment, or not used enough to know--5

Service	Great	Useful	Marginal	Poor	Don't Know	No Access
PAM Listserv	92	41	5	0	8	2

Comments on PAM Listserv (PAMnet):
- Wonderful/Good resources--12
- Do not have good access, or have none--3
- Subject line would be useful for forwarded messages, and subject fitting message--3
- Leave out ILL stuff--2
- Archive material--2
- Reviews of conference activities after annual -- 1
- Move to SLA -- 1
- Moderator -- 1
- Separate bulletin board and requests for assistance from the substantive issues -- 1
- Limit to PAM members -- 1
- Create PAM FAQ document -- 1

Service Great Useful Marginal Poor Don't Know No Access
PAM Bulletin print edition 42 68 14 0 13 NA

Comments on PAM Bulletin (print edition):
- Font, layout, and typeface need improving--13
- Content fine--8
- Use as print back-up for Web, or only Web needed--7
- Reduce duplication among articles--2
- Type quality improved in a recent issue -- 1
- More information or project research activities of libraries -- 1
- Not read one -- 1
- Too redundant from listserv -- 1
- Better editing, fact checking needed -- 1

Service	Great	Useful	Marginal	Poor	Don't Know	No Access
PAM Bulletin e-edition	35	40	8	1	34	2

Comments on PAM Bulletin (electronic edition):
- Don't use, prefer paper--9
- Fine--4
- Like reviews of web sites and links to web sites--4
- Should be short and concise--2
- Quicker access -- 1
- Have PAM Bulletin contact information under PAM banner -- 1
- Send message with embedded link to web site -- 1
- Create indexes by author, subject and feature -- 1
- Use color to highlight important text, like headers, article titles, and navigation items -- 1
- Prefer if there were linear capability as well as hot links -- 1

PART IV -- Current PAM Practices

Below are three sets of statements about current PAM practices. Please respond to the questions following each.

23. PAM's total annual budget is $7,300. PAM spends 60% of that total on the Annual Conference. Half of the Annual Conference expenses are for the open houses (food and the hotel suite for three nights). About 40% of the PAM membership attends Annual Conferences.

Would it be preferable to spend this money on something else? Why or why not? On what?

No opinion/not sure (12 responders)

Definite no (38 responders: 36 PAM, 2 FR)
(More than one mention):
- Networking/socializing valuable -- 14

Definite yes (34 responders: 31 PAM, 3 FR), generally to reduce open houses rather than eliminate them.
(More than one mention):
- Financial assistance to attend conference/lower fees -- 6
- Support conference programs -- 5
- Continuing education/distance learning -- 4
- Support student attendance -- 3
- Liaison with publishers/vendors/researchers -- 2
- Local/regional programming -- 2
- Publications -- 2

Possibly or probably reduce open houses (22 responders)
(More than one mention):
- Financial assistance to attend conference/lower fees -- 6
- Support conference programs -- 2

24. The print edition of the PAM Bulletin costs a total of $1,400 annually to copy and distribute four issues. This represents about 19% of PAM's total budget. There is also an electronic (web) version of the PAM Bulletin which is available without cost to the Division.

Is it preferable to have both print and electronic editions of the PAM Bulletin? Why or why not?

Should have electronic only/electronic only O.K. (33 responders)
- Still mail print to those who lack access -- 3 mentions
- Suggestions:
  - Email reminder to check web site for new edition
  - Mail electronic version out on listserv
  - Make Acrobat version available for those who want to print out.

Need both/retain both until everyone has electronic access (98 responders)
- Save money: only send print to those who ask for it -- 20 mentions
- Should move toward electronic only -- 16 mentions
- Print edition convenient/portable -- 12 mentions
- Print edition is archived -- 2 mentions

Should have print edition only (2 responders)

No opinion/don't care (2 responders)

25. Are you familiar with the PAM Award and the nominations procedure for it?

PAM FR ALL Reply
66 7 73 No, not familiar with Award
41 2 43 Familiar with both Award and procedure
26 1 27 Familiar with Award but not procedure
4 1 5 Familiar with Award, no response about procedure
137 11 148 TOTALS

20b. Are you familiar with the PAM Achievement Award and the nominations procedure for it?

PAM FR ALL Reply
67 7 74 No, not familiar with Achievement Award
40 2 42 Familiar with both Achievement Award and procedure
26 1 27 Familiar with Achievement Award but not procedure
4 1 5 Familiar with Achievement Award, no response about procedure
137 11 148 TOTALS

PART V -- You, PAM, and the Future

26. As a librarian/information professional, what are the biggest challenges facing you today? (Note: Responses from members and friends are combined for this question.)

"Keeping up" (60 mentions)
- With technology and changes in the electronic environment (31)
- With electronic resources/tools/formats (15)
- With new developments in librarianship/publishing (5)
- With change (5)
- With "the crush of information" and "information not readily available" (2)
- In general (2)

Budgets/Costs of Journals (49 mentions)
- Balancing print/electronic (3)
- Costs/Prices/Price increases (21)
- Budgets/Budget cuts/Lack of resources (19)
- Cancellations (2)
- Doing more with less money/Where to spend scare dollars (4)

Time Pressures and Setting Priorities (individual) (30)
- Not enough time/time management (23)
  - in general/for everything (9)
  - to get work done/do a good job (7)
  - to evaluate services or learn new tools/techniques (3)
  - to stay current in the field/for professional activities (4)
- Setting priorities/deciding what -not- to do (3)
- Staying energized and upbeat (2)
- Dealing with multiples demands/tasks (2)

User-related Issues (30)
- Meeting changing user needs and expectations (8)
- Finding out what users want/staying in tune (7)
- Teaching/training/instructing users (6)
- Dealing with users' attitudes and beliefs (5)
- Marketing/keeping users aware and informed (4)

Electronic Environment With Options and Choices (28)
- Ejournals & AI resources including access/copyright (7)
- Proliferation of resources/Bundling/Choosing (6)
- Web: site management/design/construction, identifying quality (4)
- Archiving (3)
- Integration of electronic services (2)
- Access issues (2)
- Acquisition of electronic resources (2)
- Information management (2)

Dealing with Hierarchy and Management Expectations (13)
- Upper management attitudes and expectations (6)
- Dealing with politics/bureaucracies (3)
- Justifying value/existence (2)
- Visibility/integrating function into organization (1)
- Gaining support/advocates (1)

Keeping Skills Current/Professional Development (13)
- Updating skills/keeping skills current (11)
  - Technology/computers/hardware/software/Internet searching (7)
  - General/Not specified (3)
  - Negotiation skills to get what I need/want (1)
- Professional development (2)

Change and Changing Roles (12)
- Scholarly communication/publishing/information delivery systems (5)
- Dealing with change (3)
- Value and role of libraries/librarianship in the future (3)
- Anticipating developments to stay ahead of the curve (1)

Management/Supervisory Issues and Concerns (7)
- Dealing with staff cuts (5)
- Learning management techniques/Dealing with supervisory issues (2)

Miscellaneous (7)
- Foreign language physics materials (Japan)
- Knowing what's going on in a one-librarian library.
- International relations
- Not forget the people skills; not everything can or should be computerized
- I don't know anything about astronomy and science libraries.
- Right to continue interlibrary loan document delivery needs to be safe guarded
- Maintaining a quality journal collection.

Space and Facilities Issues (5)

Finding/Keeping a Job (2)

Automation/Migration in My Own Library (2)

27. What can the PAM Division do to help you meet those challenges?

Have Dynamic Programming at Annual Conference (35)
- Sample Comments: (9)
  - Conferences very energizing.
  - Good conference programming.
  - Annual meeting has been invaluable in the long run.
- Suggestions (26)
  - Provide a "learning space" at conferences?
  - Perhaps more training sessions instead of updates?
  - Proceedings via WWW or....print....
  - Share experiences, success stories, and good speakers at conferences.
  - Have more programs, topics, discussions that relate to particular disciplines rather than such broad topics that they are practically meaningless.
  - Focus on practical aspects.
  - Workshops and conference sessions on what's available or how to.
  - Programs/Reports/Workshops/Round Tables about:
    - Collections-related topics (9)
      - Sessions on strategies in collection development issues of electronic resources: selection access, user awareness, etc.
      - Learning about new resources.
      - I'd like reports about new/exciting CS web sites.
      - Focusing on issues like funding for resources.
      - Focusing on issues like space issues at the annual meeting.
      - Continue to sponsor programs at the national conference that address dealing with the costs of journals and electronic products.
      - Getting the most out of my budgets
      - Ideas to make serials monies go farther.
      - Having programs at the national conference that address issues of cost of serials and web services.
    - Technology-related topics (7)
      - Programs on Internet developments (Liz' communications have helped as well as listservs).
      - Current workshops/round tables on the issues of keeping up with technology.
      - Provide programs that help me keep pace with [technology] changes.
      - Offer workshops, talks, etc. in the areas of systems administration, UNIX, electronic publishing.
      - Sponsor workshops on technology.
      - Offer programs in licensing: how to decipher and get the best deal.
      - Continue to sponsor programs at the national conference that address keeping up with changes in information technology.
    - User-related topics (3)
      - How about a program with real physicists and astronomers-talking about how they work and use information?
      - Focusing on issues like achieving and maintaining relevancy for user population at the annual meeting.
      - Having programs at the national conference that address issues of figuring out 1) usage when users are doing library work outside the library, and 2) training users.
    - Time management (2)
      - Maybe some time management skills sessions.
      - Sponsor a serious program on the topic of time management at conference or at the regional level.
    - Other topics (2)
      - Current workshops/round tables on multi-tasking, downsizing, international relations.
      - I'd like to see more discussion of professional problems and exchange of potential solutions.

Communicate Information about Resources and Services (23)
- Suggestions:
  - Perhaps have more complete reporting of PAM events through newsletter or post speaker slides, overheads, scripts of talks on PAM web page.
  - It would be very helpful if each person who conducts an informal survey through the listserv about a product or vendor would summarize the results on the listserv or in the Bulletin.
  - Maybe columns that appear occasionally in printed and electronic PAM Bulletin on change in the corporate environment, change in the academic environment, the human side of coping with constant changes.
  - Possibly survey members to find out what decisions have been made about reference tools and collections and WHY!
- General (4)
  - Communications. (2)
  - Information sharing.
  - News outlet.
- How To Communicate:
  - Keep members informed by means of publications, conferences, workshops.
  - Publish announcements in the Bulletin.
  - Keep up info service via SLA-PAM list and Bulletin, e.g., lobbying with publishers.
- Communicate About:
  - Continue alerting me about new web sites in the Newsletter.
  - Good communication among members about new developments and approaches to dealing with those situations.
  - Keep the community informed about newest technolgogy, technical and structural developments. (2)
  - Disseminate information about library practices affected by technological developments.
  - Continue coverage of journal pricing issues.
  - About New Products/Resources/Formats (6)
    - Encourage posting of new formats/titles on the listserv.
    - Continue to share information on resources, regardless of format.
    - New product sessions with evaluations by libraries who have used product.
    - New product reviews in Bulletin and PAMnet.
    - Continue to provide current awareness of new resources and technology.
    - Help with "new" announcements, e.g., "new" electronic journals, publishers' info ---keep us up-to-date as you have been doing so well.

Communications with Vendors and Publishers (23)
- As an organization (4)
  - Write more letters to publishers as a division/Lobby publishers. (2)
  - Present/communicate our unified desires/demands to journal publishers. Vendors, government. (2)
- Publisher liaisons (4)
  - Having PAM publisher representatives is very helpful. (1)
  - Keep up the excellent work in vendor relations. I think it's exemplary for a librarians' organization to have such close ties with publishers, including having liaisons on publishers' boards.
  - Publisher liaisons and liaisons to societies are vital. (2)
- Publisher Relations/Dialogue (7)
  - Maintain contact with vendors, content providers.
  - Continue to serve as a forum for open discussion on electronic serials issues.
  - Ensure ongoing open dialogs with vendors. (3)
  - Publishers present at round tables and vendor updates.
  - Encourage more vendors to inform us of their latest developments not only at the conference but can announce to us via listserv as things are happening (like what IOP and APS are doing now).
- Publisher Updates at Annual Conference (6)
  - Continue vendor updates; they are a good way to keep up. (5)
  - Perhaps a mid-year update from vendors would help also.

Continue PAMnet (22)
Sample Comments:
- Very useful for exchanging experience and knowledge.
- Learn much about trends in ejournal publishing and what other libraries are doing.
- Very important for communication.
- Messages have helped me present issues.
- Helps with staying current with new technology and changes in the [subject] field.
- Invaluable for creating a "virtual community" of librarians (like myself) who otherwise work "in isolation".

Continuing Education (13)
- Suggestions:
  - Sponsor/set up distance education or continuing education program. (3)
  - Develop and deliver continuing education courses in a format other than the annual conference. Utilize distance education developments, maybe experiment with satellite conferencing or video-based distribution of programs. Headquarters might be willing to take this on as an experiment in member services.
  - Although training classes are offered here, I find it difficult to attend most. When I do attend, the classes don't go far enough. Also, if you don't use the program (or whatever), you forget how by the time you need it.
- CE Topics (5)
  - New things happening in our field/current subjects. (2)
  - Make us aware of what new skills are needed and then offer classes/seminars/talks.
  - Classes on Word, Excel, FirstSearch, INSPEC on FirstSearch, HTML, ADL Press, etc.
  - While we meet and talk and exchange ideas between ourselves..., nowhere is there an reference to the folk from whom we must request, beg, or wheedle our funds, by fair means or foul.... What I'm leading up to here is to suggest a course on "Funding Officers - their care and feedings" (usually of egos). I think SLA does this, but the needs of PAM members are generally very different from those who work in other disciplines. It's no good teaching a course on the latest systems and how to use them if the attendees know they are very unlikely to be funded.
- Regarding cost/value (4)
  - Pay for training professionals as part of the conference.
  - Maybe use money to help local chapters sponsor more educational programs so our local Spring Professional Development Seminars wouldn't be so pricey.
  - Lower prices on their CE courses.
  - Continuing education course would be a good start-provided they course-giver has a very solid background in the whole area, and not just "what I done good in my library". Courses are expensive and must give value for money. I'm glad I wasn't paying for some that I've taken.

Networking/Information Sharing (13)
- Suggestions: (2)
  - Open house doesn't have enough PAM people for good networking.
  - Who's in charge of Saturday night get-together? Can we go someplace without one long table?
- Facilitate conversations/information sharing (6)
  - Share ideas on library management.
  - Continue to promote discussions/sharing of information about resources amd professional issues among members and other listserv subscribers.
  - Continue dialogue with each other and with vendors regarding journal problems, in other works, the things PAM is already doing, and doing very well.
  - Facilitate conversations between other librarians.
  - Moral support.
- Networking (general) (5)
  - Foster networking among members to support document delivery.
  - Provide network whereby colleagues can share problems and solutions.
  - Further networking and interaction between members' and non-members' work in field. (2)
  - It is hard to meet just CS librarians. Any meeting or other way of meeting them would be great. I know that all are not in PAM, tho.

Don't know/not sure (12)

Continue PAM Web Site (7)
- Sample Comments: (3)
  - Good web site with information and links.
- Suggestions (4)
  - Be sure PAM web page resources [are] as up-to-date as possible.
  - The web page would be a good place to archive discussions about specific resources.
  - A better designed web page with some pages authored by members knowledgeable about particular areas would be a good thing.
  - Create a central access point (clearinghouse) for electronic journals and other information resources.

Doing A Good Job; Keep It Up (6)
Sample Comments:
- Already doing a good job.
- More of the same.
- Keep doing what we're doing.

Collaborate/Work with Others (6)
- Work with publishers and authors to keep pricing to realistic levels
- Foster efforts for consortia among groups of libraries that need support in focused areas, e.g., groups of small astronomy libraries that would benefit from better tailored access to resources such as Web of Science, Ideal (Academic Press), etc.
- Look into consortium buying.
- PAM can provide a forum to bring the parties together for brainstorming - help us understand how we can share and influence the future. PAM could provide info on the forces affecting directions in the info industry and in academia.
- ARL is starting an initiative to see how libraries can "take back" scholarly publishing and PAM would be well placed to participate in something similar.
- Sponsor forums/workshops/even conference which facilitate getting all the "players"-researchers, librarians, publishers - together to discuss the issues and look for solutions.

Mentoring (5)
- Mentoring/mentor program. (2)
- Provide mentoring in subject areas.
- Be sure to mentor new members.
- Have a mentor to help keep at least marginally abreast of rapid changes in electronic techniques and uses for library services.

Initiatives to Deal with Journal Situation (5)
- Encourage university presses to take over publication of journals on a gradual basis.
- Set standards for license agreements for electronic access and for pricing of electronic journals and reference resources.
- Take a stand on issues like science journal pricing and access to electronic journals.
- Perhaps PAM could be more aggressive in dealing with publishing issues as when they sent a protest letter last year.
- Encourage standardization.

Miscellaneous (5)
- Sponsor research projects: history of special libraries; produce useful data to help solve problems like electronic-only scholarly communication, e.g., explore publishing habits of researchers at our institutions. (2) (2)
- Help define a new niche and apply new working techniques in our day-to-day work.
- SLA to be a lobby for librarians in terms of "image" and public relations.
- Continue to oppose advertisements on SLA listservs and web offerings (and to communicate that to SLA HQ).

28. Here is a list of possible activities for the Division. Please [check] your top five (5) priorities for the PAM Division.

NOTE: In the table below the first three columns (PAM, FR, ALL) reflect the total mentions, regardless of ranking. The last column (Ave.) is the weighted average of ranks 1-5 only.

PAM FR ALL Ave. Reply
109 9 118 1.89 Increase communications and networking among members
102 4 106 2.45 Plan focused, dynamic programming at the Annual Conference
100 9 109 2.81 Strengthen liaison relationships with vendors, publishers, etc.
80 10 90 3.48 Sponsor continuing education courses
78 5 83 3.16 Provide mentoring in the subject areas of the Division
46 2 48 3.81 Represent members at Association Cabinet and other SLA meetings
40 1 41 3.83 Recruit new members to the division
36 3 39 3.96 Encourage library/information science students to work in physics-astronomy-mathematics organizations
36 3 39 3.30 Increase participation of international members
34 4 42 3.54 Provide leadership training for members

* Other

PAM - 8 responses
- All PAM members, including minorities, should be given the chance to be officers -- 1
- Regular updates on astronomical database awareness -- 1
- Sponsor PAM-relevant research -- 1
- Represent members on a political level -- 1
- Encourage mentoring -- 1
- PAM Division services such as the Union List and the Astronomy Thesaurus -- 1
- Provide means of professional development via committees -- 1
- Provide current professional news via PAMnet, Bulletin, etc. -- 1
Friends - 2 responses
- Offer continuing education courses at conferences -- 1
- Reviews or announcements of Web resources -- 1

29. What do you want to tell us that we didn't ask? All comments welcome.

PAM Members -- 32 responders (more than one mention)

PAM is GREAT for contacts and relevant information -- 8
Good survey and thanks for asking -- 5
Would like to know more about other division and committee members -- 3
Adding physics to collection/new member so will use PAM more -- 3
Liz Bryson is Great -- 2
Not a joiner/Don't get to attend meetings -- 2
Mentoring never got off the ground -- 1
PAM is too cliquish with academics controlling what the group does --1
More focus needed on continuing ed. -- 1
Less focus on national SLA survival tactics -- 1
Retired member responded - 1
PAM could examine the creation of new divisions of subject societies relevant to our division -- 1
PAM could consider sponsoring joint conferences such as LISA but for the Physics and Math Community -- 1
Monthly updates on what's new -- 1
Have lunch or dinner with new members -- 1
Don't move to SLA's HQ's site -- 1
SLA Bulletin is great resource -- 1
SLA and ALA should coordinate efforts -- 1
Encourage smaller vendors/publishers to participate in PAM discussions and listserv -- 1
Attend meetings to keep up to date -- 1
More communication on ARIBIB -- 1
Replace people who are not doing their job in PAM rather than renewing their appointments -- 1
Appreciate PAM's pragmatic approach -- 1
Subject focus is important in PAM -- 1
Newcomers benefit from PAM's mentoring and tutorials -- 1
Would like to see more emphasis on geophysics -- 1

Non-PAM -- 4 responders

Too busy to think about it -- 1
Survey is too long -- 1
SLA is an excellent organization but may not renew membership -- 1
Keep up the good work -- 1

Optional. Would you like to serve the PAM Division in some capacity?

PAM FR ALL Reply
58 6 64 No, not at this time.
31 0 31 I'm already active.
20 2 22 Maybe.
4 0 4 Yes.
113 8 121 TOTALS

Creator: Karen S. Croneis.

Page last updated: August 27, 1998