NCSLA's Annual Award Ceremony and Officer Installation Dinner

On December 3rd, NCSLA held its annual Award Ceremony and Officer Installation Dinner at Biaggi's in Cary. Mary Schwarz kicked off the proceedings with opening comments and words of thanks for those with whom she worked closely during 2009. The 2010 officers were then announced and a short board meeting took place thereafter. Later in the evening, the following awards were presented:

• Horizon Award: Given to Jennifer Evans, this award recognizes a chapter member who shows promise of becoming an outstanding member of the profession.
• Meritorious Achievement Award: Given to Tamika Barnes, this award honors a chapter member for notable and enduring contributions to the chapter and to the profession.
• Sarah Aull Award: Presented to C. Vinson, this award is given to the winner of a contest rewarding excellence in student papers related to the field of special librarianship.

The evening was brought to a close by Jamal Cromity who took time to thank and recognize fellow board members for their individual contributions in 2009 and shared his enthusiasm and vision for an exciting 2010!

Chemistry Librarianship Student Scholarship

Call for Applications: 2010 Lucille M. Wert Scholarship –
Deadline: February 1, 2010

Designed to help persons with an interest in the fields of Chemistry and Information to pursue graduate study in Library, Information, or Computer Science, the Scholarship consists of a $1,500 honorarium. This scholarship is given yearly by the Division of Chemical Information of the American Chemical Society.

The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree with a major in Chemistry or related disciplines (related disciplines are for example Biochemistry or Chemical Informatics). The applicant must have been accepted (or currently enrolled) into a graduate Library, Information, or Computer Science program in an accredited institution. Work experience in Library, Information or Computer Science preferred.

The deadline to apply for the 2010 Lucille M. Wert Scholarship is February 1, 2010. Details on the application procedures can be found at http://www.acscinf.org and once there click on “Awards” and then click on “Lucille M. Wert Student Scholarship”.

Applications (email preferred) can be sent to: margaret.matthews@thomsonreuters.com

Contact address:
Marge Matthews

CINF Awards Committee
633 Dayton Rd.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3801
Phone: 215-823-3922

Web Integration Webinar

On Friday November 13th, Jamal Cromity hosted a well-attended webinar entitled "Web Integration". Topics covered included the integration of tools such as Google Ajax RSS Feeds Displayer, Share Point RSS Reader, Image embeds via Facebook and Flickr. LinkedIn and Twitter. The webinar provided basic information on each of these resources as well as tips for using them in special libraries' work. The webinar concluded with an in-depth discussion of the SLA initiative for choosing a new name. Jamal reviewed comments received back on the proposed name from chapter members and walked participants through a report highlighting SLA's research findings on various aspects of the effort to determine the new name.

Changing the way we state our business

My latest LMD post is now available:
http://sla-divisions.typepad.com/sla_lmd/

Check it out when you can!

Jamal

JAMAL CROMITY WINS REMCO ROADBUILDERS' AWARD IN SPECIAL LIBRARIES

At this year’s 58th Biennial NCLA conference, during the REMCo's Author Luncheon on October 8th in Greenville, N.C., our very own President – Elect, Jamal Cromity accepted an award by the North Carolina Library Round Table of Ethic Minority Concerns. The award recognizes ethnic minority librarians and scholars in library education, academic librarianship, special librarianship and public librarianship, who have served as pioneers in librarianship and who also represent a positive role model in the field. Further, recipients are recognizing as ethnic minority librarians who exemplify courage, integrity, perseverance and who have contributed to the field of librarianship for their specific category.

Can the association members learn to grow?

My latest LMD Blog is now available...

Wow! SLA may finally have a new name…The Association of Strategic Knowledge Professionals. Are we all happy now? Well...
http://sla-divisions.typepad.com/sla_lmd/2009/10/can-the-association-members-learn-to-grow.html

New NCSLA Wiki - Gov Doc Sources presentation now available!

OK!

So I created a new wiki for the chapter to collaborate information online. The old wiki will go away very soon! Use the link from this main website to access the wiki going forward. Michael Pepper or I will send out invites per your request.

I really want the chapter members to start using the wiki site to post specific content about our workshops. You can also upload documents under 11 megabytes. Let me or Michael know of any other ideas you would like to use the wiki for going forward. Making new pages is very easy!

My hope is that you will have a much better experience using the new wiki. I truly want the website and wiki to be more collaborative and user friendly.

Check it out when you can!
http://sites.google.com/site/ncslawiki/

The Government Document Sources information is now available on the wiki.

Value Continuum and Professional Online Search Services: The Collaborative Stage

My latest publication is now available in the July issue of Online Magazine.
Check it out when you can: http://www.infotoday.com/online/

Value Continuum and Professional Online Search Services: The Collaborative Stage
By Jamal Cromity
Page 38

In the article I talk about the real value of professional online search tools and how more search services will need to focus on collaborative features. Through research, I share some of the driving forces behind the call for improved methods of knowledge sharing.

SLA President-Elect Anne Caputo Addresses NCSLA Members at UNCG

On May 19th, SLA President-Elect Anne Caputo visited UNC Greensboro and addressed members of NCSLA. Anne acknowledged the difficult economic climate that special librarians are working in and spoke to the need for planning. She emphasized the value that librarians bring to the table in a "time of information explosion" and encouraged members to work to improve communication and preparation skills to adapt to change, including changing "our terminology based on what the world calls it". She stated that special librarians need to be more in tune to the perceptions of those outside the profession and work to "align ourselves with the needs of the world"; studies have shown a disconnect between what those within the profession believe is important versus what others feel is important. In closing, Anne encouraged NCSLA members to "be positive, flexible, confident and willing to learn."

Leverage Your Career Workshop was a major success!

On Thursday April 8th NCSLA, along with corporate sponsor InMagic, hosted a well-attended seminar called “Leverage Your Career”. Drawing both experienced SLA members and guests, as well as area students, the seminar provided an overview on special librarianship along with winning job search strategies and tips for approaching resumes and interviews. Presenters also offered suggestions for staying current in the profession and for making effective career choices. After a networking break, the second half of the program featured career stations where local professionals working in diverse settings offered commentary and guidance along with resume review services. The event was well-received and noted for its timeliness as students and professionals alike work to navigate a treacherous job market. A theme that ran throughout the program was the importance of leveraging professional contacts throughout one’s career and undoubtedly membership in associations such as SLA is a critical first step in building relationships that can foster a successful and fulfilling career in special librarianship.

Post "Copywrong to Copright" notes

On Friday April 3rd NCSLA, in partnership with Iconitel, hosted an educational seminar titled “Copywrong to Copyright”. The event was attended by 16 people from a broad cross-section of local corporate libraries. Presenter Eileen McQuilkin, a Senior Consultant with Iconitel, used a true or false format to address ambiguities in interpretation of copyright law with attention paid to the challenges posed by emerging technologies. The eye-opening discussion prompted audience members to take away a “proceed with caution” mentality when it comes to the use and redistribution of content.

SLA LMD Blog

One of my new responsibilities in 2009 is Co-Chair of the Leadership and Management Division Blog of SLA. Each month I will post a minimum of one article based on a pre-established theme of the month https://owa-aa.proque.st/owa/redir.aspx?C=190f37f7690d489aa05654eb28c50b92&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsla-divisions.typepad.com%2fsla_lmd%2feditorial.html.

You can keep up with all my postings on the LMD Blog at:
http://sla-divisions.typepad.com/sla_lmd/

Jamal Cromity
President-Elect NC SLA