SLA Preview 2008: Beyond the Bounds

Reflecting SLA's 2008 conference theme, “Breaking Rules, Building Bridges,” the association has continued to evolve, reflecting changes in the profession as well as in society. For one, the Leadership & Management Division launched a new Content Buyers Section in response to member requests for more subject-oriented divisions. Also, SLA's decision to “go green” (it has already implemented changes within the association's workplace) could have a major impact at the annual meeting, taking place June 15–18 in Seattle.

SLA asked conference exhibitors to make available more services or activities instead of things, to email marketing materials rather than hand out paper versions, and to give out useful items, such as notepads, made of recycled/recyclable materials, and reusable water bottles and bags. SLA counseled vendors to use water and glasses instead of bottled water and locally sourced foods. Organizers hope that free wireless Internet access will “allow attendees to access handouts electronically and eliminate the need to print thousands of paper copies.”

Click U, SLA's online continuing education community, kept up its steady growth of member offerings. In January 2008, it introduced two new certificates—in knowledge management and copyright management—to join the successful competitive intelligence certificate programs. Other online opportunities included a “Research Tool Box” series from ResourceShelf.com founder Gary Price and a discounted content rights manager course from the Software & Information Industry Association. Student members now get a 25 percent discount on all courses.

Outgoing SLA president Stephen Abram, known for his visionary interpretation of technology-based innovation, initiated several ongoing projects. The SLA Innovation Laboratory site will provide members with licensed and free software, tutorials, and other useful tech, management, and leadership resources. Second Life for SLA will become a virtual member “play area.” The SLA First Five Years Workgroup will seek out new information professionals. “We need to embrace, nurture, and listen...they have a lot to teach, even to the most seasoned SLA members,” said Abram. SLA 2009 president-elect Gloria Zamora and her successor will continue these efforts. She also will continue work on SLA's alignment process, she told LJ, which addresses who should become SLA members in the future.

This year's conference includes some important scheduling changes. Immediately following the Opening General Session and Awards Presentation, Sunday, June 15, at 5 p.m. (PBS host Charlie Rose will interview Vint Cerf, VP and chief Internet evangelist for Google), SLA has scheduled the Awards and Leadership Reception (#525, $65) at 7:30 p.m. at the Space Needle. This event previously took place on Tuesdays, when many members were already on their way home. The Closing Session (featuring author and entrepreneur Seth Godin) and the Annual Business Meeting are now combined, taking place Wednesday, June 18, at 2:30 p.m., immediately followed by the Closing Reception (location TBA) at 5 p.m.

Zamora, also the 2008 conference chair, told LJ that this year's meeting will offer fewer but longer sessions. Conference planners asked divisions to contribute fewer programs. Zamora characterized the sessions as higher in quality, more advanced, and broader in appeal.

Familiar themes include technology and leadership (“there never seems to be enough programs on this topic,” said Zamora). Presented for the first time are eight Spotlight Sessions, sponsored by Thomson Scientific, that will focus on popular topics and are expected to attract some 300 people. “We have a mandate to have metrics,” Zamora said; conference planners want to see if satisfaction levels rise as a result of the changes.