Why SLA Must Consider a Name Change

Version 1 by Janice Lachance
on Jun 24, 2009 10:22.

compared with

Current by Janice Lachance
on Jun 24, 2009 10:52.

Key

These lines were removed. This word was removed.

These lines were added. This word was added.

View page history

There are 9 changes. View first change.

- It has been quite a journey, beginning with in-depth research, including existing data from Outsell and SLA, work with a futurist, leadership roundtable discussions, and member focus groups around the United States and Canada. With the rich information gained from these exercises, Fleishman Hillard constructed six statements about the value of information professionals and SLA, each based on a key theme that emerged from the research.
- With member input, those statements were then refined and tested in the Alignment Survey. This was an in-depth global survey of info pros and C-Level executives in business, government, health care, consumer services and more.&nbsp; It included key audiences---not just info pros, but also people in fields like IT, HR, marketing and strategic planning. It helped us zero in on words and concepts that work---or don't work---across the board.&nbsp;
- In the language exercise, participants were asked to rate specific words and concepts in six statements.&nbsp; These statements, drawn from the findings of the alignment study, were created to communicate the value of the information profession and SLA.&nbsp; The terms "special library" and "special librarian" were the lowest-ranking concepts we tested.&nbsp; (For complete results, go to http://www.sla.org/pdfs/FH_PositioningSLA0113090-Notes.pdf)
- Below are two of the statements tested.&nbsp; Terms found to be the most positive appear in green print below; those found to be most negative appear in red print.&nbsp; As SLA enters its second century, it is clear that we are burdened with a name that not only causes confusion but also fails to capture the aspirations of our members.
- *Statement #1 - Continuous Learning and Expertise*
-Information professionals and special librarians develop and demonstrate knowledge management expertise across a broad range of industries and disciplines.
+It has been quite a journey, beginning with in-depth research, including existing data from Outsell and SLA, work with a futurist, leadership roundtable discussions, and member focus groups around the United States and Canada. With the rich information gained from these exercises, Fleishman Hillard constructed six statements about the value of information professionals and SLA, each based on a key theme that emerged from the research.
-•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Information professionals and librarians create a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing
+With member input, those statements were then refined and tested in the Alignment Survey. This was an in-depth global survey of info pros and C-Level executives in business, government, health care, consumer services and more.&nbsp; It included key audiences not just info pros but also people in fields like IT, HR, marketing and strategic planning. It helped us&nbsp;zero in on words and concepts that work or don't work actoss the board.&nbsp;
-•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Access networks of experts and colleagues to obtain information and best practices for their customers
+In the language exercise, participants were asked to rate specific words and concepts in six statements.&nbsp; These statements, drawn from the findings of the alignment study, were created to communicate the value of the information profession and SLA.&nbsp; The terms "special library" and "special librarian" were the lowest-ranking concepts we tested.&nbsp; (For complete results, go to [http://www.sla.org/pdfs/FH_PositioningSLA0113090-Notes.pdf])
-•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pursue continuous learning through innovative technology and education practices
+Below are two of the statements tested.&nbsp; Terms found to be the {color:#009900}most positive appear in green print below{color}; those found to be {color:#ff0033}most negative appear in red print{color}{color:#ff0033}_._{color}&nbsp; As SLA enters its second century, it is clear that we are burdened with a name that not only causes confusion but also fails to capture the aspirations of our members.
+&nbsp;
-•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Promote information literacy through training and education on the effective use of information sources
+*{+}Statement #1 - Continuous Learning and Expertise{+}*
-  *Statement #4 \-Professional Development and Advancement*
+Information professionals and {color:#ff0033}{_}special librarians{_}{color} develop and demonstrate knowledge management expertise across a broad range of industries and disciplines.
+* Information professionals and librarians create a {color:#009900}culture of continuous learning{color} and {color:#009900}knowledge sharing{color}
+* Access networks of experts and colleagues to obtain information and best practices for their customers
+* Pursue continuous learning through {color:#009900}innovative technology{color} and education practices
+* Promote information literacy through training and education on the effective use of information sources\\
-The Special Libraries Association promotes professional development and advancement by providing members with innovative resources and continuous learning opportunities.
+*{+}Statement #4 \-Professional Development and Advancement{+}*
-•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Offers comprehensive curricula on best practices and the latest advances in information management, delivered through Web-based courses •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Anticipates industry trends and provides members with opportunities to discover and explore the latest emerging technologies
-•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Provides opportunities to develop leadership skills and achieve professional success
-  Our consultants, Fleishman Hillard, who have strongly recommended that we consider a name change, provide the following guidance:
-\- &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Previous attempts to rename the Association have centered on more functional, title-driven alternatives.&nbsp; The challenge with this approach is that it is virtually impossible to capture all of the diverse job functions---and adjacent career tracks---which encompass the information profession.
-\- &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Instead, we recommend shifting the focus to more value-driven alternatives that provide a concise expression of who the Association is and the distinct value it uniquely delivers.
-\- &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Names that convey the concepts of "information leadership" and "knowledge networking" and "knowledge advantage" speak to the Association's benefits on a deeper level, are more differentiated from other organizations in the competitive landscape and ultimately more inclusive of the broad range of disciplines that comprise the information profession.
+The {color:#ff0000}Special Libraries Association{color} promotes professional development and advancement by providing members with innovative resources and continuous learning opportunities.
+* Offers comprehensive curricula on best practices and the latest advances in information management, delivered through Web-based courses
+* {color:#009900}Anticipates industry trends{color} and provides members with opportunities to discover and explore the latest emerging technologies
+* Provides opportunities to {color:#009900}develop leadership skills{color} and {color:#009900}achieve professional success{color}\\
+Our consultants, Fleishman Hillard, who have strongly recommended that we consider a name change, provide the following guidance:
+* Previous attempts to rename the Association have centered on more functional, title-driven alternatives.&nbsp; The challenge with this approach is that it is virtually impossible to capture all of the diverse job functions and adjacent career tracks which encompass the information profession.\\
+* Instead, we recommend shifting the focus to more value-driven alternatives that provide a concise expression of who the Association is and the distinct value it uniquely delivers.\\
+* Names that convey the concepts of "information leadership" and "knowledge networking" and "knowledge advantage" speak to the Association's benefits on a deeper level, are more differentiated from other organizations in the competitive landscape and ultimately more inclusive of the broad range of disciplines that comprise the information profession.