DC/SLA Town Hall: What is an 'alignment' anyway?

After a multi-year review of the Alignment Project results, the SLA Board voted this week to change the name of SLA. The proposed name and vote will be sent to SLA members next week.

Join the DC/SLA Alignment Ambassadors for a Town Hall Meeting on Monday evening, Nov. 9., to look behind the name change issue and find out what SLA's groundbreaking research and findings could mean to you and your career. This is your opportunity to ask questions and be heard.

The Ambassadors will start the evening with a brief overview of Alignment's potential impact on you and the profession and then turn program over to you to discuss, ask questions, and get answers.

Date/Time: Monday, Nov. 9, 2009; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location: West End branch of the DC Public Library (http://www.dclibrary.org/dcpl/cwp/view.asp?a=1266&q=565827)

Closest Metro: Foggy Bottom

Speakers: DC/SLA Alignment Ambassadors (Mary Talley-Garcia, Dave Hemingway, James King, Shirley Loo and Chris Vestal)

RSVP: By noon on Mon., Nov. 9, to Dave Hemingway at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]

Cost: There is no cost for this event - however, no refreshments will be provided.

About the Alignment Project

The Information industry, including publishers, newspapers and librarians, are in the midst of a revolutionary change. Information consumers have become publishers, digitization is bringing more content within the instant reach of search engines every day, and the 'Great Recession' is forcing hard decision on programs, space, and people.

In the midst of all of this, how are librarians and information professionals to respond and remain relevant? How should the major association representing the needs of these 'specialized' information professionals respond to these changes and help their membership?

For several years, SLA members have asked for a broader effort and support from the Association in helping them to communicate their value within their organizations. After the name change discussion in 2003, SLA used building fund proceeds to conduct an in-depth research effort to understand where and how information professionals provide value to their organizations.

This effort is referred to as the 'Alignment Project' since the goal is to 'align' the Association with the needs of the membership as members work to align with the needs of their organizations. The results of this multi-year research effort were released to the membership in early 2009, providing a wealth of feedback about how corporate, academic, non-profit and government leaders and executives view information, information professionals, and librarians.

You can view the details of the Alignment Project findings at the Alignment Portal:

http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/alignment/portal/

James King, MLS
1st Vice President, President-Elect
Washington, DC Chapter
Special Libraries Association
"A Capital Celebration: SLA @ 100"
http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/

Align in '09
http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/alignment/

Information Architect
National Institutes of Health Library
(301) 496-2187
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

CDC