March/April 2010 Issue of Chapter Notes is Hot off the Presses!

by Chris Vestal

Our March/April issue of Chapter Notes is hot off the presses! You can download the issue in pdf format here.

We have lots of color photos in this issue again so it might not be the quickest download in the world but I think you won't be disappointed because in this issue you can:

• Find out about volunteer opportunities at the SLA Leadership Summit in "President's Corner"
• Get the scoop on upcoming chapter and library related events in the area
• See local Spring photos and your colleagues at chapter events
• Find out which DC/SLA members are speaking at the SLA Annual Conference in New Orleans
• Learn how taking risks can be the safest move for you professionally in "Taking the Reins"
• Hear strategies to help you blossom in your career in "The Way Forward"
• Preview a new column dedicated to helping your career, "Career Column"
• See how many DC/SLA members spoke at CIL
• Get to know our chapter award winners
• See how the Law Librarian of Congress is impacting the profession
• Find out how you could attend the SLA Annual Conference for FREE if you act soon
• Hear why the Head of the Department of Justice's library system has been compared to Indiana Jones
• Use your Avatar to travel into another world to see how librarians can save us all
• Get some insiders' tips and tricks on conducting defense/military research
• Discover what the National Geographic Society, the Congressional Research Service, and the National Guard all have in common

DC/SLA at the SLA Annual Conference -- CE course "Embedded Librarianship, Is it for me?"

"Embedded Librarianship, Is it For Me?" is an SLA CE to be held at this year's SLA Annual Conference. Co-ed by Mary Talley and Karen Huffman, the course shows you how to develop a successful embedded services program, from beginning to end.

When: Saturday, June 12, 2010 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m

Ticket Event #145 SLA Annual Conference, New Orleans

Based on current thinking about what really works (SLA funded research: Models of Embedded Librarianship), this hands-on course takes you through what you need to know to implement an effective embedded program. During this full-day course, you are an active participant in exercises that help you answer these questions:

• What is an Embedded Librarianship program?
• What would it look like in my organization?
• How can I use it to move closer to my organization’s priorities?
• What is already in place that I can build on now?
• What obstacles will I face and how can I overcome them?
• What strategies should I put in place now to get there?

About the Instructors:

Mary Talley is a co-researcher (with David Shumaker) in the 2008 SLA funded research project: Models of Embedded Librarianship and co-author of the research report of the same name. She lectures and writes on embedded librarianship and has been using the model in her consulting practice for over 10 years. She is the DC/SLA Vice-President/President Elect.

Karen Huffman is embedded in Information Systems & Technology as the Senior Applications & Database Administrator (for business to business solutions) at the National Geographic Society, an adjunct professor at The Catholic University of Maryland, and the Chair of SLA’s Knowledge Management Division.
Mary Talley

Library Leader Blane Dessy

By Janel White

The third DC/SLA Library Leaders program, Wednesday, April 14, 2010, featured Blane Dessy, the director of the Department of Justice Library System. DC/SLA Vice President Mary Talley introduced Dessy by putting on an explorer's hat and comparing his career to an Indiana Jones-like adventure in search of a treasure (his current position at DOJ).

With his master's degree in hand from the University of Pittsburgh, Dessy’s very first job was in management as the director of a county public library. When his colleagues told him he was "crazy" to apply for a position for which he had no previous experience, he decided that the only thing he had to lose was the cost of the stamp to post his resume. Like any good librarian, Dessy researched everything he could about the county - demographics, towns, income, history - everything. The interview committee was impressed that he seemed to know more about the county than they did and hired him.

Although he had to supervise older and more experienced staff, Dessy never doubted that he could do it. With the help of an excellent mentor, he succeeded. In fact, Dessy stated that a good mentor is key to a successful career and he has stayed in touch with his mentor over the years.

Want to read more about Blane Dessy's thoughts on library leaders? Stay tuned for DC/SLA's Chapter Notes, to read more.

Blane Dessy and Mary Talley Garcia

DC/SLA Members at the SLA Annual Conference, June 13-16, 2010

By Mary Talley Garcia.

The 2010 SLA Conference in New Orleans this June promises to provide a deep and rich professional development experience. A quick look at the many conference programs, events and positions that involve DC/SLA members shows the strong contribution our Chapter will make to the richness of that experience. We are an awesome Chapter with so many outstanding professionals committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise to support everyone's professional development.

Do something good for your own professional development. Attend the 2010 Annual Conference and meet some of these dedicated professionals. Follow this link to register or check out the conference program here. And read on to learn how DC/SLA Chapter members are participating in the 2010 SLA Conference.

CE Courses

Jennifer Boettcher, Georgetown University, Instructor: Industry Research: Tools, Frameworks and Understanding. This course will review commercial and free sources that could help you get an overview, find specific data, create an industry profile, define competition, monitor the business environment, or understand frameworks to present industries. Sunday, June 13, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Paulette Hasier, ARTI, Instructor: CE course. This half-day course focuses on how information professionals can become agents for change. Through a combination of role playing and exploration of different communication styles, participants will...come to understand the importance of creating a brief mission statement; to persuade stake holders; to speak to multiple groups and to better communicate the value that they add to the organization. Saturday, June 12, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Barbie Keiser, Instructor: Promoting Effective Use of E-Resources. This workshop will guide participants through the process of developing realistic and flexible marketing strategies for e-resources utilizing Web 2.0 technologies and 21st century approaches. Sunday, June 13, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Mary Talley and Karen Huffman, Instructors: Embedded Librarianship: Is It For You? In this course, you will explore current thinking on embedded services as it relates to your situation and start a transition plan to an embedded services model. Saturday, June 12, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Maggie Turqman, Jennifer Wood and Alison Ince, Instructors: Training from the Trenches: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Every Budget. Sunday June 13, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Programs

Jessica Beauchamp, Award Winner and Speaker: SLA Stars and SLA Fellows Roundtable. Monday, June 14, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Anne Caputo, Dow Jones, SLA President. In her capacity as SLA President, Anne will be presiding over many SLA functions, meetings and programs, including both the opening and closing general sessions, the Leadership Development Institute, the SLA Board meetings, the International Reception, and the Newcomer’s Reception (sponsored by the SLA Fellows).

Terri Brooks, Past-Chair, Business & Finance Division, Moderator: B&F Division Awards Reception (everyone is welcome to come, not just Division members). Monday, June 14, late afternoon.

Sally Bosken, U.S. Naval Observatory, Speaker: PAM Astronomy Round Table. June 16, 1200 - 1:30. Convener: PAM Book Group. Monday, June 14, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Susan Fingerman, JHU Applied Physics Laboratory, Moderator: Collection Intelligence (Led by Sci-Tech Division: assessment tools and strategies to demonstrate use/value of library collections). 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Ian Galloway, APA, Panelist: Learn about best practices for gathering input on a taxonomy from subject matter experts, and for maintaining a taxonomy when you are new to the topic it covers. Tuesday, June 15, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Layla Heimlich, Washington Hospital Center, Moderator: Improvising Health Sciences Library Services During Disasters. Tuesday, June 15, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Janice Herd, Library of Congress: Moderator: Content Management, Portals and Taxonomies. Tuesday, June 15, 2:00 -3:00 p.m.

Richard Huffine, USGS, Speaker: Grey Literature: Challenges and solutions of providing access to non-traditional resources. Elsevier Breakfast Program, Monday, June 14, 8:00 am - 10:00 am; Speaker: Meet the Candidates discussion, SLA Marketplace. Monday, June 14, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Monday, June 14, 8 - 9:30 a.m.

Theo Jones-Quartey, W. R. Grace, Moderator: Chemistry Division Corporate Roundtable Breakfast Wednesday, June 16, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

James King, NIH, Speaker: SciTech Division Contributed Paper “Using Drupal to Create the Pandemic Influenza Digital Archive for the National Institutes of Health” (part of the “Future of Science Librarianship”). Monday, June 14, 4:00-5:30 p.m.; Speaker: Future Trends in GovernmentLibraries. Tuesday, June 15, 10:00 -11:30 a.m.; Panelist: Library of the Future: Conversations in the Round (with Rebecca Jones, Monica Ertel, and Donna Scheeder). Tuesday, June 15, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.; Speaker: Virtual Research Environments Using Drupal at the NIH Library. Wednesday, June 16, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Catherine Kitchell, BNA, Moderator: Reality Check. We are leaving behind the 19th and 20th

century news model... Concerns about the closing of news outlets and the 'dumbing down' of news

abound - but new models and formats are emerging. The implications for competitive intelligence, and an informed citizenry - from experienced practitioners.

Jill Lagerstrom, Space Telescope Science Institute, Moderator: Astronomy Round Table. Wednesday, June 16.

Joan P. Lussky, Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science, CUA, Panelist. Taxonomies in New Information Technologies. Presentation focuses on the implementation and use of web2.0 technologies within public library websites across America. Tuesday, June 15, 10:00 -11:30 a.m.

Carol E. Ramkey, Marine Corps University, Panelist. FLICC mentoring/coaching program (how it was set up and its current status)

Abigail F. E. Ross, Keller and Heckman LLP, Speaker: Cases, Codes & Content: An Introduction to Legal Research. This program will provide the basics of U.S. primary and secondary legal research for non-law librarians. Monday, June 14, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Lisa Sick, APA, Presenter: Lunch and Learn (demonstration of the APA databases, new features, and interdisciplinary content through search examples). Buffet lunch. Monday, June 14, 12:00 p.m.

Ann R. Sweeney, DSOC, European Union—European Commission Delegation, Moderator. International Reception. Follow the band—literally…from the Convention Center to Generations Hall, just a block away. Be wined, dined, & serenaded while you network with the global crowd. See the SLA Europe Information Professional 2010 Award bestowed. Party ON! Monday, June 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Lea Wade, Planner and Moderator: Computer Science Round Table (Boxed lunches will be provided while supplies last.). Tuesday, June 15, 12:00 -1:30 p.m.

Karen White, Fatmata McCormack and April Knepp, USAID, Speakers: Notes from a Global Agency: Leveraging a Needs Assessment to Enhance Service Delivery. Tuesday, June 15, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Chris Vestal, USPTO, Award Winner and Speaker: SLA Stars and SLA Fellows Roundtable, Monday, June 14, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Board and Division Positions

Marilyn Bromley, BNA: Chair, Social Sciences Division

Anne Caputo, Dow Jones: President, SLA

Susan Fifer-Canby: SLA Board, Past Chapter Cabinet Chair; serving on the Awards Committee.

Layla Heimlich, Washington Hospital Center: Chair, DBIO Division, Medical Section

Karen Huffman, National Geographic Society, Chair, Knowledge Management Division

Janice Herd, Library of Congress: Chair, Taxonomy Division, Vendor Relations Committee.

Richard Huffine, USGS: Nominee, SLA Board

James King, NIH: Caucus Convener, Information Futurists; President, DC Chapter

Liz Wallach, BNA: Chair-Elect, ERMD

DC/SLA 2010 Annual Conference Stipend -- Apply by 30 April

DC/SLA established the Annual Conference Stipend Award to enable a chapter member to attend the SLA Annual Conference. All chapter members as shown on official SLA records as of 1 February 2010, are eligible to apply, including student members, retired members, and those who are simultaneously members of other chapters. Past recipients of the award are not eligible, except for past recipients who had been prevented by circumstances from using the award and returned the funds. Board members are not eligible.

The award criteria include future professional leadership potential in SLA and the profession, contributions to SLA and the chapter, and financial need. Preference is given to newer members who have already begun to take a leadership role. The award recipient shall be chosen by the board upon recommendation of the Chapter Awards Committee. The award for 2010 will reimburse the recipient for expenses incurred up to $1,500.

To apply complete a form (available at http://tinyurl.com/yzgkk8k) and submit two professional references of no more than 250 words. All materials must be submitted via email or physically mailed to Diane Schnurrpusch at dschnurr@dtic.mil by Friday, 30 April. Please contact Schnurrpusch at 703.767.9069 for her address.

~Diane Schnurrpusch

DC/SLA Members at Computers in Libraries 2010

Are you going to Computers in Libraries next week, April 12-14, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City? If you do, it’s possible you’ll be at a session featuring a library or information professional from the DC/SLA chapter. Out of 183 speakers at CiL this year, sixteen are from our chapter. Check out the list of CiL speakers -- you'll find DC/SLA members will be sharing thier knowledge on a wide range of topics, from Drupal and digitization and to SharePoint and search trends:

• Stacy Bruss from National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Anne Caputo of Dow Jones
• Joan Goodbody from ASRC Management Services at the USPTO
• Karen Hartman from U.S. Department of State
• Laura Hjerpe from Stanley Associates, Inc.
• Karen Huffman from National Geographic Society
• Barbie Keiser from Barbie E. Keiser, Inc.
• Deborah Keller from Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity Library, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• James King from NIH Library, National Institutes of Health
• LaDona Kirkland from Defense Technical Information Center
• Lisa Mages from the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress
• Brent Mast from the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress
• Donna Scheeder from the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress
• Rita Tehan from the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress
• Lorette Weldon from Weldon Researchers
• Amanda Wilson from National Transportation Library, U.S. Department of Transportation

~ Alison (DC/SLA Communications Secretary)