Dispatch Number Two from New York -- Annabel Colley
Special Libraries Association Conference
Supported by Factiva, a Dow Jones & Reuters Company
As the only member of the international information press to keep you updated daily and live from this premier information event in New York we bring you what’s in and what’s out. What's hot ands what’s not Google. What’s on the Grapevine, who is moving and shaking at the SLA Conference?
NEW YORK HAPPENINGS
Info expo-exhibition opens.
The ribbon cut, the vendors poised like coiled springs ready to make their sales, the free breakfast muffins and bagels piled high. The exhibition hall with 250+ booths was opened for action Monday.
Keynote speaker Monday. McCullough “Don’t ever hide what you don’t know from a Librarian”
Pulitzer prize winning author David McCullough’s work has been praised for its exceptional narrative sweep, and its insight into American literary life and literary distinction. His latest book “John Adams” is a number-one New York Times bestseller. The master of the art of narrative history (in the true spirit of information professionals) commented on collaboration. “None of us do anything alone and none of us are self made ... Chemistry between people and human interaction is what makes events turn out the way they do”.
Swets-Blackwell Reception
On a balmy New York summer evening, we enjoyed a stroll up to Central Park with friends from the European Chapter to the Swets-Blackwell reception held at the Tavern on the Green. With a number of vendor parties taking place Monday evening – it was definitely the place to see and be seen. Where, among the lantern lit gardens and glass houses, we enjoyed the best meal and entertainment we’ve had in New York so far. The Tavern, with its lavish and eclectic mix of stained glass, chandeliers, rustic baroque and flights of rococo fancy was once so “out” that it had to close. It is now very “in” indeed. It’s the place for New York society’s most prestigious events, Broadway openings and international film premieres
KEY THEMES EMERGING
Monday’s theme was “State of the Art Day”.
Information choice in a converging market.
As vendors merge and tools are integrated, the dangers of relying on single all-powerful companies for information was discussed at an information industry panel, chaired by Jane Dysart, with Gary Price, George Plosker and Stephen Abram. There has never been a more vital time for information professionals to aggressively publicise their knowledge of the sheer range of information choices, sources and services out there. This issue also came up again during my discussions with senior industry figures today. With moves like the relaxation of US legislation controlling the ownership of public broadcasting and media, this is a further worry. Google, Microsoft, Time Warner to name but a few.
Information Consultancy
“Call me an information Professional, call me a librarian, call me a web guru. Whatever. Just call me” – Gary Price
Gary commented that he has been advised to drop “librarian” in order to get paid more. This is probably a familiar refrain for most independent information professionals. Some find this sad and continue to fight on keeping the ‘L’ word, whilst others choose to adapt to survive. Whatever you call yourself there does seem to be a growing band of information consultants out there.
Professional Competencies for the Digital Age
A subject that came up when we asked FreePinters for questions to put to industry figures here in New York was whether or not academia was turning out graduates with the right skills for today’s business information environment. Jana Varlejs of Rutgers University conducted a study looking at 53 of the 57 accredited MLS programmes in US Universities. Only 4 had courses in communication. Also needed were more offering courses in information economics, user needs and information behavior.
According to this study, courses were felt to be too short. Where they are apparently getting it right is in recognising management as an essential skill, incorporating technology and online searching sources and services. Hot new trends included courses in information architecture, meta-data and data-mining. Jana also talked about continuing-education and the role of the SLA finding that teleconferences and web-casting on topics like marketing and vendor relations were useful. She commented that the SLA should promote other sources of continuing education for members outside the information profession completely. She wished that the SLA and other professional bodies would do more to educate employers to expect more from their librarians.
SEEN AND HEARD
Katherine Allen – event director of the Online Information Conference in London. Gathering themes and speakers, and meeting clients.
British Library launching their new secure electronic delivery service.
MuseGlobal, supports of Gary Price’s ResourceShelf.com.
Richard Huffine, National Programme Manager of the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). Richard is the latest to be recognised as a Dialog ‘infostar’. I chatted to him and other ‘infostars’ at the Dialog stand, and the ‘infostars’ are recognised by Dialog as individual information professionals embodying innovation and embracing change. Richard manages the 28 EPA libraries with 18 thousand staff.
TOP TIPS TO TAKE AWAY
-- “Word of mouth and viral marketing works” – look at Google
-- Gary Price uses not only Internet Explorer but also other browsers including Netcaptor, Mozilla and Opera.
THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
As heard at conference sessions
1) “Our democracies are at risk because people are satisfied by Google”
The public web is being manipulated by search engine optimization for political reasons. Only information literacy to evaluate the agenda behind information can solve this. What will be the next important political, strategic or medical decision based on inadequately evaluated information?
2) “Context not content is King”
If content were king there would be queues round the block for public libraries. It is the setting and how information is integrated into workflows at point of need that is of value. Information professionals need to learn this from the vendors.
Thanks for your vivid reporting. You are taking us to New York from the desk top. There are so many ...
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11/06/03 07:48
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