The Confluenceconfluence Newsletter of the Special Libraries Association - Pittsburgh Chapter

TheThe ConfluenceConfluence Newsletter of the Special Libraries Association - Pittsburgh Chapter

Volume 71, Issue 1 April 2006

Upcoming Chapter Events “Earl’s Pearls” - Earl Mounts It was a dark and stormy night. customer asks for properties of Looking for Answers in All May: Grissom and Willows entered 7075 aluminum, also hand her a the Wrong Places. Speed Networking the library through the book list of the most common end Don’t be afraid to say “Look it Location and date t.b.a._ detector, undetected detectives. uses or a couple recent articles. up on the internet”. An engi- Get ready for the annual They had an uneasy feeling that Show her the Airbus site neer came in and asked for the conference by brushing something was awry so they for pictures. density of cork. Easy question, up on your networking split up and began their investi- right--Handbook of Chemistry skills. Do you have your gation. There was a hand in and Physics, Handbook of Mate- “elevator speech” ready? 611.717, a knee in 796.334, and rials Science. No, it shows up on

a face in 646.726...... the internet and, since it is con- June: Oops, wrong CSI! sidered a construction material, 'burghers -in- Baltimore we were looking in the wrong Location & time t.b.a. The CSI I’m talk- It‘s So places. Monday June 12th_____ ing about is the Funny How An informal gathering of Customer Service We Don‘t Lis- Smile Though Your Heart Is fellow Chapter members Imperative. ten Anymore. Breaking. attending the annual con- Over the 30+ years that Don’t assume what the cus- Treat every customer as your ference. I have worked in libraries, tomer is asking for. Ask ques- first and only. Even when your I have discovered tactics that tions for clarification. The ad- favorite whiner comes in at 4 on will guarantee customer satisfac- ministrative assistant to the VP Friday and asks the impossible tion. for research asked me for the question about adhesive bond- Inside this issue: ROI for twenty companies for ing of steel and aluminum, don’t I‘m Just a Guy Who Can‘t the last ten years. After spend- let him know you’re happy be- Staying Ahead of 2 Say No. ing a great deal of time on the cause you’re leaving in an hour the Game! You have to be the guy that question (it’s not as easy as you on your Hog for Cheat Lake. can’t say no. In fact, the word think), I took the data to him Animal Friends 2 “no” does not exist in the li- and he told me all he really Teach Me Tonight. Library Recap brarian’s vocabulary--the closest needed was data for 1996 and What’s that expression about expression is “nobut”. Always 2005, not 1996-2005. teaching somebody how to fish Student Group 3 be prepared with an alternative. rather than serving them Grilled Introduction When the customer asks for a The Best of Times. Rosemary Trout with a fine basic text on fasteners and you Marketing your organization is a Viognier? Homer Simpson is Library Profile 5 can’t find one, the best response daily, hourly, minutely now drooling--but I digress. Meeting Recaps 6 is “Nobut I can order one for (minutely? why not, why stop at When somebody asks you for you and it will be here the be- hourly) requirement. Carpe an out-of-print book, show him Executive Board 7 ginning of the week”, or “Nobut minutum. When the engineer how to use one of the internet Profiles they have one at the library comes in asking for a journal bookseller aggregators. across the street.” article, give him a quick demo of Chapter Member 9 ScienceDirect. If someone . . . by the way, Grissom found News More, More, More, How Do wants property data, show her the hair in 646.7248 but it was a Now & Then 10 You Like It? Knovel. rug, and he wondered aloud Always give the customer more why it was there and not in than she asks for. When the 746.72 . . . Volume 71, Issue 1 Page 2

Staying Ahead of the Game! - Amy Watson At the January 2005 Leadership Sum- plenty of time for pre-conference plan- Award” will still exist. This award is mit, the SLA Board of Directors ap- ning and preparation. The Board, with meant to recognize a member who has proved the change of the governance the assistance of the expanded commit- demonstrated outstanding leadership year to match the fiscal year, with im- tee leaders, will be updating the Chap- and service to the Chapter. Please, plementation to occur in 2007. It ter’s Policies and Procedures manual start thinking now about the Chapter shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with this summer, and implementing the members who have made an incredible the Chapter that our leaders decided it new governing documents as proposed impact on the Chapter in 2005, and would be best to be ahead of the game, by the international association. keep an eye on the members who are and began implementing this change as positively influencing 2006. More infor- soon as they returned. The first step The Chapter can look forward to an mation about the changes to the was the voluntary extension of the additional change in that the Executive awards and recognition process will be terms of several Executive Board mem- Committee and the Awards Chair will made public to the Chapter as soon as bers by six months. be formalizing our Award and Recogni- possible, so that nominations can be tion process. Looking to the future, submitted to Ange Pollis, the Awards This is a historic year for the Chapter, we would like to see a September Chair, in a timely manner. as the Executive Board makes changes awards submission deadline, with the based on the leadership of the past and annual awards banquet moving to De- We all know how important recogniz- laying a foundation for leadership of the cember, making our annual holiday ing others for good work is. Please future. At the March Executive Com- party an even bigger reason to cele- take the time to nominate a fellow mittee meeting, several other changes brate! Chapter member for their contribu- were discussed. The first is the shifting tions, for both 2005 and 2006. And of the traditional student conference At the present time, the committee start shining your party shoes, because travel stipend, with plans of a fall sub- does not know the exact form that the this year’s celebration is going to be mission deadline and a December awards will take, but we do know that one to remember! award – with the goal of allowing the traditional “Pittsburgh Chapter

Animal Friends Library Project Recap - Jan Deitch Animal Friends - http://www.animal- sibility of the SLA/Pittsburgh Chap- friends.org - kicked off the opening of ter offering professional consulting their new animal shelter facility on and volunteer services to Animal Saturday, March 18th with its first ever Friends for the creation of their Fundraiser Telethon. The day was ‘dream’ Library. beautiful and the Telethon was a big success raising over their goal of Denise received approval to be $150,000.00. Even better news - over involved with this community ser- 40 pets were adopted over the course vice project by SLA Headquarters. (L-R) Lynn Labun, Denise Callihan and Kim of that weekend. March 18th also signi- We guided Joanne in all aspects of Gregory discuss the collection in the new fied the opening of the Animal Friends creating the Library beginning with Animal Friends Library. Library. Denise Callihan and I were on the development of Library Mission hand for the grand opening. and Vision Statements. Ginny helped Joanne secure an interlibrary loan How did the Pittsburgh Chapter be- agreement with the Sewickley Public come involved with the Animal Friends Library so that they’ll be able to bor- Library Project? Denise was contacted row materials to support the Animal a couple of years ago by Joanne Moore Friends ‘Reading With Rover’ program. – Outreach Director for Animal ‘Reading With Rover’ is a children’s Friends. Denise, Joanne, and Ginny literacy program. Joanne put out the Connolly (Sewickley Academy Librar- request for books donations and ar- ian) started an email correspondence ranged for two computer work sta- about helping Animal Friends establish tions to be available in the Library. A a Library in their new shelter facility in group of Pittsburgh Chapter Librarians the North Hills off Camp Horne Road. gathered on a couple of Saturdays to Kim Gregory poses with Denise and I met with Joanne last sum- begin setting up the Library, cataloging one of the new titles. mer at the old Animal Friends shelter the collection, and working with the in the Strip District to discuss the pos- Library’s website. Continued on Page 3 Volume 71, Issue 1 Page 3

Animal Friends Library Project Recap Continued from Page 2 brainstorming for donations, web page development, putting together policies I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… and procedures, and any other library- What a wonderful opportunity this related functions you can think of. project has been and continues Remember, this is an evolving/ongoing to be for our Chapter and Chapter Project. We are open to ideas the individuals in and suggestions. Your volunteer exper- the Chapter who tise, time, and skills are welcome. have become involved with the Animal Please contact Jan at: jde- Friends Library. [email protected] for more information and/or to volunteer. Denise Callihan prepares to catalogue Now we need to firm up the Library’s the first book in the collection. Policies & Procedures. I’m keeping a list of potential volunteers for staffing the Library. Denise is coordinating efforts Just a little something to get you thinking about our furry little friends! with several students who are interested in being involved with the Library For you cat lovers: as field placement/internship opportunities. This project doesn’t end here – ‘If cats could talk, they wouldn't." – Nan Porter it really is just the beginning of working "I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul." – towards helping the Animal Friends Jean Cocteau Library to achieve its goal of becoming "To err is human, to purr is feline." - Robert Byrne a state-of-the-art resource center for "Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want." animal rescue shelter facilities through- – Joseph Wood out the country. "Cats are connoisseurs of comfort." – James Herriot

Staffing the Animal Friends Library will And equal time for you dog lovers out there: include populating the library catalog in "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." – Ben Williams MS Access, physically being in the Li- "No Matter how little money and how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you brary anywhere from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. rich." – L. Sabin Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." – Roger Caras 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (doesn't "I have always thought of a dog lover as a dog that was in love with another dog." – have to be complete shifts, just some James Thurber time if you have it), interlibrary loan administration, grant writing/ "Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails." – Max Eastman

A Soft Spot for Students - Donna Beck In January 2006, Earl Mounts asked me again myself, this time at the University munication with the student groups, I to consider taking on the role of Stu- of Pittsburgh. I received my MLIS from have the pleasure of seeing them in dent liaison for the Pittsburgh Chapter. Pitt in 2004, then was appointed as person every week and having casual I knew that I had big shoes to fill by Engineering Librarian at Carnegie Mel- conversations about what their group replacing my colleague Adele Barsh, lon University’s Engineering & Science is doing. I recently spoke with John but I am excited to take on this oppor- Library. about my idea that he and Roger Getz, tunity. I often tell people that I have a President of the SLA Student Group at “soft spot” for students, having spent We’re lucky to have, John Fudrow, Clarion try to have regular communica- many years working side-by-side with President of the University of Pitts- tion via email as a means of supporting both undergraduate and graduate stu- burgh’s Student Group and Neely each other and exchanging program- dents overseeing their library support Tang, Membership Coordinator of the ming ideas. John has been busy trying work. University of Pittsburgh’s Student to establish a permanent physical and Group serving as Information Assis- digital location for documents and Nearly thirteen years after beginning a tants this term at CMU’s Engineering guidelines related to Pitt’s Student graduate program in library science at Library. Since one of my primary goals Group. I asked him to share more Clarion University, I was a student as Student liaison is to promote com- about his involvement and it follows on page 4. Volume 71, Issue 1 Page 4

SLA Student Group Update - University of Pittsburgh - John Fudrow

The past year has seen many new faces and Secretary/Treasurer to in our student group and with these vacate their offices. After a new faces an optimistic vision for our very close election the acting future has arisen. One of the most executives for the Spring 2006 prominent new faces is Dr. Judith term are as follows: President, Jablonski, the volunteer student advisor John Fudrow; Vice-President, for the SLA Pittsburgh Chapter’s Stu- Jeffery Jones; Secretary/ dent Group at the University of Pitts- Treasurer, Eugenia McAllister; burgh. Her encouragement and advice Membership Coordinator, led to many successful programs and Neely Tang; and Webmaster, informative group tours. Although Marie Sullivan. One of the first many thanks must be given to Dr. issues the executives decided Jablonski, it is the efforts of the student to undertake was the restora- members which should be applauded. tion of the student group’s Danya Leebaw chats with Pitt’s Student Group constitution. This was an im- President, John Fudrow, at the February meeting. During the fall semester of 2005 the mediate concern being that students initiated a number of memo- during the transition between rable programs. The first meeting was executives and semesters much of the Other issues which the executive held on September 20th. On October support documents, including the con- members recognized as needing atten- 7th the SLAPSG visited the Heinz Cor- stitution, could not be located. After tion were how to most efficiently keep porate library and had the opportunity meeting with a number of faculty rep- our members aware of upcoming to meet with special librarian Tim resentatives at the University of Pitts- events, increasing membership in SLA Gaus. On October 21st the SLAPSG burgh, it was decided that a newly for those participating in the SLAPSG, met with their FastTrack counterparts renovated constitution would be sub- the preservation of material generated during a visitation organized by the mitted and adopted that better suits by our organization, ensuring seamless University’s School of Information Sci- our current focus. With that decided I transitions between officer changes, ence. On November 3rd the SLAPSG constructed a new constitution using the creation of a stronger University and the Student Chapter of the Ameri- both the international SLA guidelines public presence, and the renovation of can Library Association for the Univer- and further enhancement via the analy- our web space. sity of Pittsburgh hosted a small round- sis and application of many precedents table discussion to give the collected set forth by other similar student or- Upcoming events for the spring semes- student audience suggestions on possi- ganizations. For future reference we ter include a visit to several local law ble field placement opportunities within have endeavored to provide online libraries along with a small luncheon the Pittsburgh area. To end the fall access to the constitution, through our where the students can meet the law semester, the SLAPSG organized a University web space, to ensure that a librarians in the community. We have December Holiday Party with guest digital copy will be archived on the also planned a joint meet-and-greet speaker the Humor Queen. University server, and that a physical evening with current MLIS FastTrack copy will be placed in a secure locker students. The meet-and-greet will also The start of the 2006 spring semester within the School of Information Sci- include representation from SCALA, was tumultuous as unforeseen events ence’s facilities. the SIS Alumni Association, and the forced the President, Vice-President, ASIS&T student groups. In the future we hope to continue providing visitation opportunities to local special li- The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Information Science Alumni Society braries at least once a semester and to (SAS) and Beta Phi Mu Honor Society are sponsoring the offer special programs as the opportu- second annual LIS Professional Development Day on nities arise. We are also actively trying April 8, 2006 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the IS Building on to coordinate programming and com- campus. A series of activities will be offered, including a munication between our student group workshop on resumes and interviewing, a chance for Library and our counterparts at Clarion Uni- versity. Through interactions with our & Information Science students to have their resumes reviewed, and both tele- fellow students and the assistance of phone and in person mock interviews with LIS alumni. For more information on the Pittsburgh Chapter of SLA, we this event, contact SIS at 412-624-5139, or view the SAS website at hope to provide an accurate view of www.sis.pitt.edu/people/alumni/SAS.html. special librarianship for our members Membership in the SIS Alumni Society is open to all graduates from all depart- and for our community. ments of the school, and involvement by students is encouraged. Volume 71, Issue 1 Page 5

LIBRARY The Library and Archives of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania at the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center - Art Louderback The Historical Society of Western materials on all the Pennsylvania was organized in 1879 important histori- from the remnants of the Old Resi- cal figures in the dents Society. The library and archives region, i.e. Carne- began collecting at this time and this is gie, Westinghouse, one reason for the large amount of et al. The library Civil War material found here. The also has a large collections received a large permanent collection of news- home in Oakland at the beginning of papers, maps and the last century. The conditions were serials. We also not ideal by modern standards. There have extensive was no air conditioning, the third floor vertical files on that held the archives reached over 90 every subject and degrees in the summer and the base- location in West- ment that held the newspapers leaked. ern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh city In 1996, the library and archives moved directories that to the new Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh begin in 1815, and Regional History Center. The former over 500,000 pho- Chatauqua Ice House was rehabilitated tographs covering at a cost of $22,000,000. A large all aspects of the amount was dedicated to make a state- area. detailed descriptions, 500 scanned of-the-art library and archives. The books that are word searchable, finding collections were placed in temperature There are over 50,000 linear feet of aids for the archives here and at Pitt, and humidity controlled rooms that are archives. There are many small collec- plat maps, a chronology and our cata- run by a separate HVAC system. The tions such as World War II ration log. It can be found at http:// books were put into OCLC and an books, immigration papers from local digital.library.pitt.edu/pittsburgh/ or OPAC was bought for the library. The families, genealogies, cemetery read- Google Historic Pittsburgh. OPAC was state of the art, the first in ings, personal papers, etc. There are the area with a GUI interface. (You also many large collections. There are Lastly, let me introduce the staff. Dr. might remember the blue or black social collections such as Allegheny David Halaas is the director. Art screen with white words that was the Conference on Community Develop- Louderback is the Head Librarian, internet in 1996, GUI replaced that ment, the Buhl Foundation, Health and David Grinnell is the Head Archivist, with the screen you use today.). Extra Welfare Planning Association, the Mau- Lisa Lazar is the Reference Librarian, archivists were brought in to prepare rice Falk Foundation, Pittsburgh Public and Lauren Zabelski is the Photo- collections. Old collections were re- Schools and others. The business col- graphic Specialist, Cassie Pyle is the housed. The reading room retained lections are also of great significance Project Archivist, Susan Melnick is the the brick walls and two feet wide with archives of Alcoa, Westinghouse, Jewish Archivist and Bob Stakeley is the beams to create a welcoming area. Carnegie Steel (and soon the first fifty Acquisitions Archivist. I put Bob in last years of U.S. Steel), Joseph Horne because we depend on donations of The library holds approximately 45,000 Company, Kaufmann’s Department materials for the archives and the town books. The majority are on Western Store, of course, H.J. Heinz Company and church histories that we have Pennsylvania subjects. We have large and others. The archives also houses missed. holdings of French and Indian War the Rauh Jewish Archives, a large col- materials because of the area’s impact lection of materials covering aspects of The library is open Tuesday through and large Civil War collections. A Jewish life in the area. Saturday from 10:00 to 5:00. There is third of the books in the library are an admission to the museum that cov- found no where else. They are books The library and archives recently com- ers the library. Admission to the li- on church centennials, town centenni- pleted a project with the University of brary is free to high school and college als, yearbooks, etc. They are items Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Museum of students and teachers. We can be that reflect local history and culture at Art. The Historic Pittsburgh website reached at 412 454-6364 or li- a common man level. We also have contains over 7,000 photographs with [email protected]. Volume 71, Issue 1 Page 6

Mindful Meditation - Reading Suggestions Did you miss the February meeting on Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual “Mindful Meditation” at Alexander’s of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle (ISBN Pasta Express? Speaker Kevin Henry Pain and Illness, by John Kabat-Zinn 1577311523) suggested these titles to the Chapter, (ISBN 0385303122) for those who would like to know Stillness Speaks, by Eckhart Tolle more about meditation as a technique How Meditation Heals: A Practical Guide (ISBN157731400X) for stress management. to Improving Your Health and Well-Being, by Eric Harrison (ISBN 1569752648) Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mind- Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves fulness Meditation in Everyday Life, by and the World Through Mindfulness, by Odes to Common Things, by Pablo John Kabat-Zinn (ISBN 1401307787) John Kabat-Zinn (ISBN 0786886544) Neruda (ISBN 0821220802)

Have you been unable to attend recent Chapter meetings? Here’s just a glimpse of what Ange Pollis, Lynn Labun and Jan Deitch Denise Callihan and Lynn Berard toast a catch up over coffee at the Feb. meeting. successful meeting at Alexander’s Pasta Express. you missed!

Classification Based Patent Searching Upcoming Programs at the Downtown & At the March 15th Professional Development session, Alan Engel of Business Branch of the Carnegie Library of Paterra Inc. spoke to members of the Chapter concerning Pittsburgh: “Classification Based Patent Search- ing for Mortals.” Foundation Center Orientation Wed. April 5 or Wed. May 10 9:30 - 11:30 AM During the session, Alan expressed Introduces the resources available through the cen- the importance of patent classifica- ter, with emphasis on print resources for researching tion, as it divides technology into funders, other fundraising efforts, and nonprofit op- digestible chunks. He then demon- Alan Engel teaching the erations. strated a series of free web based Chapter the fine points of tools and techniques for searching Patent Class Searching patent class codes. He also demon- Thursday Noontime Business Program Series strated how to subscribe to an RSS 12:15 - 1:00 PM feed of different codes within their Many thanks to Alan for * SuperWorker to Supervisor… Now What? - April 6 class hierarchy. If you missed the pres- sharing his time and * Power Up Your Image - April 20 entation, PowerPoint slides from simi- expertise! * Pittsburghese- Charming or Annoying? - April 27 lar presentations, as well as the free online search tools, are available at the * Smart Women Finish Rich - May 11 following site: http://cxp.paterra.com/. * Clear Your Desk - Clear Your Mind: Paper Handling Solutions for Professionals - May 25

Volume 71, Issue 1 Page 7 EXECUTIVE BOARD EXECUTIVE BOARD EXECUTIVE BOARD

Name: Jan Deitch Name: Earl Mounts Name: Rachel Callison Role on Board: Role on Board: President Role on Board: Past-President Education: Washington and President-Elect Education: Jefferson College, BA, French Education: BFA, Ohio BA/Psychology and Literature; University of University; MLS, Uni- MLS/Information & South Carolina, MA, Ro- versity of Pittsburgh Library Science mance Languages; University Employment: Refer- Employment: of Pittsburgh, MLS ence Librarian – Soft- Currently, I’m the Employment: Humanities ware Engineering Insti- Executive Director Bibliographer, Love Library, tute, Carnegie Mellon of the Association of Emergency Physi- University of Nebraska; Computer Member of SLA Since: 2004 cians and the Director of Administra- Science and Robotics Institute Librarian, First Library Job: Reference & Public tion of the American Coke and Coal Carnegie Mellon University; Staff Infor- Services Librarian at the Information Chemicals Institute mation Scientist, Alcoa Technical Li- Sciences Library, University of Pitts- Member of SLA Since: 1992 brary, Alcoa Center, PA burgh First Library Job: Citizens Library in Member of SLA Since: 1982 Favorite Part of Being an Informa- Washington, PA. That sort of started it First Library Job: Washington and tion Professional: Being involved in all for me. I loved doing Young Adult Jefferson College Library Factotum the process of connecting people to programming and programming for Favorite Part of Being an Informa- information and information to people. Senior Citizens. I also went to the local tion Professional: Continuous learn- Being a Member of SLA has Juvenile Detention Centers to work ing Helped Me: Meet, talk and collaborate with troubled kids and participated in Least Favorite Part of My Job: with great colleagues who share the the local Mental Health/Mental Retarda- Compiling statistics same passion for the profession. tion Council. Really fulfilling work! Being a Member of SLA has Family/Pets: My husband, Roy (of 6.5 Favorite Part of Being an Informa- Helped Me: Meet really great people. years). I’m also lucky to have my mom tion Professional: There’s so much I Hobbies: Photography, Travel, Word living close by in the city of Pittsburgh. I enjoy about being an Information Pro- games, Movies have three sisters, three brother-in- fessional. I’ve always thought, though, Last Book Read: The Journey of Crazy laws and nine nieces and nephews that that my favorite thing is doing reference Horse range in age from 9 to 20 years old. work. I think of it as putting the pieces Favorite Vacation Spot: Looking at Since my mom likes to travel quite a bit, of a puzzle together and I love puzzles; the Caravaggios at Santa Maria del her cat ‘Barley’ visits/stays at our house whether they’re jigsaw, crossword, or Popolo, Rome. frequently. He has a very sweet dispo- my latest puzzle addiction of sudoku Four Things I Never Leave the sition, weighs 23 lbs and is partial to (http://www.dkmsoftware.com/sudoku/) House Without: My penknife, My shrimp and pork rinds for treats. – steer clear of sudoku unless you have pen, My lucky silver dollar, My sanity Hobbies: About four years ago, some lots of extra time and who in our pro- Favorite Movie: The Grapes of friends of ours (5 couples total) started fession, does? Wrath a dinner & wine ‘round-robin’ group, Least Favorite Part of My Job: I’m Three Words to Describe Me: which we dubbed ‘Feastclub’. Every 2 not crazy about heavy administrative Dashing, urbane, witty months we have a large sit-down dinner tasks and, lately, some statistical reports Spot in Pittsburgh I Take Out of at one of our homes. As a group, we’ve and excel spreadsheets are about Town Visitors to: To see Dippy. also road-tripped to other places on ‘killing’ me. But…I’m going to ‘get the food/wine related expeditions (e.g. better of them’(I hope)! Finger Lakes Region of NY). We also Being a Member of SLA has University of Pittsburgh participate in a regular Monday night Helped Me: Meet so many wonderful, league of bowling (winter) and golf unique, and intriguing people. It’s just a Alumni Event @ (summer). I also inherited the ‘dig in great group of people doing some fabu- the dirt’ gene from my mom. Aside lous things. SLA Conference from work related activities, all of that Family/Pets: Husband Jim/Dog - Gra- keeps us busy. cie Lou Deitch/Cats - Whisper and Monday June 12th, 2006 Last Book Read: The Accidental Con- Smokey (see ‘head shot’ – Smokey is noisseur: An Irreverent Journey Through the the alpha animal in our home – he is the 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Wine World by Lawrence Osborne boss man and he ‘rules the roost’). Location T.B.A. Callison Profile Continues on Page 8 Deitch Profile Continues on Page 9 Free munchies/Cash bar Volume 71, Issue 1 Page 8 EXECUTIVE BOARD EXECUTIVE BOARD EXECUTIVE BOARD

Name: Esther Name: Amy Watson Name: Sallie Smith Nathanson Role on Board: Role on Board: Treasurer, 2006-2008 Role on Board: Secretary Education: BS, MLS, candidate; Mas- Director, 2006-2007 Education: BA Psy- ters in Studies of Law (2006) Education: University chology/Sociology, Employment: of Pittsburgh, B.A., Grove City College; Cataloging/Systems Librarian, Barco Columbia School of MLIS, Pitt Law Library, University of Pittsburgh Library Service M.L.S. Employment: Infor- Member of SLA Since: 2005 as well Employment: Librar- mation Specialist, as several years in past history ian, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Fiber Glass & Glass Libraries, PPG In- First Library Job: Documents Super- Downtown and Business dustries visor, Westinghouse Electric Corp. Member of SLA Since: Over 25 Member of SLA Since: 1997 Favorite Part of Being an Informa- Favorite Part of Being an Informa- tion Professional: Organizing years tion Professional: Having a consistent records & materials First Library Job: Columbia Univer- patron base - I love being able to help a Least Favorite Part of My Job: sity Zoology Library scientist with a project from the con- Getting up so early in the morning. Favorite Part of Being an Informa- ception through to commercialization. Being a Member of SLA has tion Professional: Connecting people Least Favorite Part of My Job: The Helped Me: Keep in touch with with the information they are seeking. commute; not having a forum for fiction fellow professionals Least Favorite Part of My Job: reader’s advisory. Hobbies: Arts and crafts, yoga Monitoring computer usage Being a Member of SLA has Last Book Read: Surviving the Being a Member of SLA has Helped Me: Become more interested Extremes: A Doctor's Journey to the Limits Helped Me: Actually to get two jobs in professional development and emerg- of Human Endurance, by Kenneth Kam- through networking! (Westinghouse ing technologies. ler. and the Carnegie Library), in addition to Family/Pets: Husband Matt; planning Favorite Vacation Spot: consort with dynamic local librarians. for kittens or bunnies sometime soon. Any place warm Family/Pets: Husband Harvey and two Hobbies: Knitting, sewing, gardening, Three Words to Describe Me: grown children--Marc and Elinor reading, pop culture junkie Organized, creative, tenacious (married to Peter); (Harvey has a pet Favorite Vacation Spot: We try to cat--Charcoal) do a Lancaster/Manhattan/Hershey loop Hobbies: Traveling, reading every October. Celebrate Last Book Read: Outwitting History: Four Things I Never Leave the The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who House Without: Wedding band; cell National Library Week Rescued a Million Yiddish Books phone; iPod; house keys. Favorite Vacation Spot: Cape May Favorite Movie: Seven Brides for April 2 - 8 2006 Point, NJ Seven Brothers Four Things I Never Leave the Spot in Pittsburgh I Take Out of “Change Your World @ House Without: Keys, glasses, and Town Visitors to: Piper’s Pub on the some form of money (I travel light-only South Side, for Sunday Brunch. Your Library” 3 things) Favorite Movie: Play it Again, Sam Three Words to Describe Me: Peo- Callison Profile Continued from Page 7 ple say that I am diplomatic, smiling, and Favorite Vacation Spot: Beaches are usually a good bet (Northeastern and/or Car- positive-thinking ibbean); I also enjoy Europe – I’ve been to Paris four times, and plan on going again… Spot in Pittsburgh I Take Out of so I must really like it. Town Visitors to: Mount Washington Four Things I Never Leave the House Without: wallet/ID, keys, cell-phone, and Kiehl’s lip balm Favorite Movie: I’m a film/media addict, so it’s really too hard to pick a single If you would like to be ‘favorite’. I always enjoy the work of the Coen brothers: Barton Fink, Raising Arizona, featured in an upcoming O Brother Where Art Thou, etc. I probably watch about 3-4 films a week. Three Words to Describe Me: This one stumped me a bit. so I asked my husband. He said ”bright, sexy, caregiver” and I suppose I can live with that. Spot in Pittsburgh I Take Out of Town Visitors to: If you’ve been following along, you’ll notice the ‘dining & eating trend’…so we tend to take out-of-towners to contact Amy Watson at restaurants. Tessaro’s and Primanti’s for true-blue ‘burgh flavor, as well as places like [email protected]. Casbah, Red Room, Abay to highlight Pittsburgh’s ‘big city’ quality, too.

Volume 71, Issue 1 Page 9 EXECUTIVE BOARD

Chapter Member News Name: Linda M. Hartman Role on Board: Betsey Tuttle has accepted a position as a half-time Reference Librarian at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business Library. Director Betsey joined the library in December of 2005, and completed her MLIS from Education: B.S. Pitt in July of 2003. Chemistry, CMU; MLS Pitt Shawn Fellner has joined Strayer University as the Manager of their Learn- Employment: ing Resource Center. The Learning Resource Center is part of the Penn Reference Librarian, Health Sciences Center West Campus, a new location as of January 2006. Strayer University Library System, University of Pittsburgh has a 110 year history in education, originally based in Baltimore. The Uni- versity first offered online courses in 1996, and now has campuses in North Member of SLA Since: 1993 Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Dela- First Library Job: Library Specialist, ware. University of Pittsburgh Favorite Part of Being an Informa- In February, Marge Sroka became the Research Librarian for Seagate Re- tion Professional: Variety in job, help- search in Pittsburgh, after having held positions with an engineering firm and a ing people find information they need. technical association. Marge replaces former Chapter member Mary Ar- Least Favorite Part of My Job: nold, who has relocated to the Denver region with her family. no windows, summers are busiest time Do you have news that you would like the Chapter to know about? A pro- of year motion, a new job, a new publication, or a professional appointment? For Being a Member of SLA has inclusion in the next issue of the Confluence, contact Amy Watson at amy- Helped Me: chapter member helped [email protected] by August 21st so that we can offer congratulations and me prepare for first professional job update our network! interview (was offered job), leadership training at Association meetings was great Family/Pets: Husband Andy, Daughter Deitch Profile Continued from Page 7 Corinne (age 6) Hobbies: Physical Fitness, knitting, stamping (cards), reading, traveling, eating (all too often chocolate), playing with my animals, ‘hanging’ with my nephews/nieces, Hobbies: needlepoint, cross-stitch, and on and on. reading, gardening Last Book Read: Pretend You Don’t See Her by Mary Higgins Clark Last Book Read: Catch as Cat Can by Favorite Vacation Spot: Hilton Head, SC Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown Four Things I Never Leave the House Without: Wallet (with credit card/ Favorite Vacation Spot: the beach little cash), car keys ‘cause we’re in a rural-ish area, cell phone (just got that 4 Four Things I Never Leave the months ago – how did I survive?), and a couple of Hershey kisses for the choco- House Without: purse (everything is holic in me. Favorite Movie: I love films, so I’ve got a ton of favorites. To Kill A Mockingbird in there) is so lovely, sensitive, and delicate; Shawshank Redemption is such a story of human Favorite Movie: it’s been so long beings overcoming injustices and persevering by belief in oneself; LA Confidential is since I’ve seen one I can’t remember just a great mix of mystery and intrigue Three Words to Describe Me: Three Words to Describe Me: I like to think - compassionate, kind, and fair. considerate, loyal, trustworthy Spot in Pittsburgh I Take Out of Town Visitors to: Gosh…I guess that has Spot in Pittsburgh I Take Out of to be Mount Washington. But…for the food lover in me, add to that dinner be- Town Visitors to: Nationality Rooms fore/after at Willow (my new favorite dining place).

A note about this issue’s PROFILE section: This new section was created with the idea of it being a fun way to get to know other Chapter members, but at this point you’re probably thinking “I didn’t need to get to know so many at once!” The intent of the section is to feature three Chapter members an issue, but it was felt that an introduction of the Executive Board was the perfect kick-off. Next spring we’ll feature just the new members of the Board, and the other two issues this year will feature other committee and Chapter members. Are you using any of the following technologies in either your personal or professional life? Now and Then - Earl Mounts 5 Years Ago Transportation Library.— 100 Years Ago *Blogs “Welcome to 2001 - An Infor- Pittsburgh Chapter Bulletin, No- “As in war and manufacturing, it * IM or SMS mation Odyssey, and oh what a vember 1985, p.4. is the man ride! With a computer as our behind the * Wikis vehicle, rather than a spaceship, 50 Years Ago machine or * Podcasts we experience new frontiers “There is no ‘central’ library at method that and distant horizons with a click Carnegie Institute of Technol- determines it * RSS Feeds of a mouse. As we travel at ogy at present but plans for efficiency. breakneck speed trying to learn one are being developed by Much good is If so, and you’re willing to all the latest and greatest infor- progressive Kenneth H. Fager- done by mak- either be interviewed about mation tools, it's easy to get lost haugh, librarian. At present ing books your use, or write an article or feel time-warped into a new the book and periodical collec- readily avail- dimension. Staying ahead of this tions of slightly over 135,000 able. The about how they’re influencing information curve is a difficult volumes are divided among taste of readers improves even you, please contact Amy Wat- mission, but, a mission that is several branches, the so-called without guidance. But the best son at [email protected]. achievable and hopefully made ‘Main’ library, and a reading results demand that behind the easier by our programming and room in the new Graduate library’s books there shall be an professional development meet- School of Industrial Administra- earnest human soul, whose chief ings offered throughout the tion. Recently completed at concern is to make other lives year. I invite you to share in nearby Monroeville are the main better and more useful, through these efforts and embrace these research laboratory buildings of the influence exerted by good challenges as a team, rather than the United States Steel Corpo- reading. The visitor in our little on your own. “—Denise Calli- ration. The resources of this home libraries who meets once SLA-CPIT han: President’s Message, The library include 5,000 books and a week with the children, to Special Libraries Pointer, Spring 2001 (http:// periodicals, 20 file drawers of give needed help; the reference www.sla.org/chapter/cpit/ pamphlet materials, 8 file draw- librarian, now so prominent a Association- pntv67n1.htm) ers of patents, and a file of tech- factor in the best libraries; and nical journals. Catharine Oberly the children’s librarian, one of Pittsburgh Chapter 20 Years Ago is librarian of this efficient, com- the best of the new special Nancy Flury Carlson has ac- pact, research library. Not far workers,--these are all practical P.O. Box 23373 cepted a position as Information from Monroeville, Westing- recognitions of the fact that no Pittsburgh PA 15222 Specialist for Enhanced Building house Electric Corporation has magnificence of buildings, wealth http://www.sla.org/ Services, One Allegheny Center. completed a huge three-story of resources and endowments, Barbara Richards has been ap- research center. The librarian is excellence of catalogues and chapter/cpit/ pointed Head, Technical Proc- Westinghouse’s well-known, indexes, or liberality of hours index.html esses, Hunt Library, Carnegie- inimitable Dr. Jolan Fertig. Dis- and rules, can ever take the Mellon University. Lynn Berard, tinctive in ideas as she is in per- place of a trained expert who is The Confluence is the a recent graduate of the Univer- sonality, Dr. Fertig’s library at heart the reader’s sympa- newsletter of the Special Li- sity of Michigan School of Li- promises to be a lodestone for thetic friend”.--Melvil Dewey: brary Science, joined the staff of SLA Convention guests—if it is Field Libraries, The Dial, Febru- braries Association - Pittsburgh the Engineering & Science Li- completed by June.”—Margaret ary 1, 1906, p.76. Chapter. The next issue will brary, Carnegie-Mellon Univer- S. Sullivan: Pittsburgh’s Changing be published September 1st, sity as Computer Science Li- Libraries, Special Libraries, March 2006. Article submission brarian. She previously served 1956, p.126-130. deadline is August 21st, 2006. as a graduate assistant at Michi- Please contact Amy Watson gan’s Engineering- at [email protected] with any submissions, or issues or concerns relating to the newsletter. Special Libraries Association - Pittsburgh Chapter assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors to the Association’s publications. Editorial views do not necessar- ily represent the official position of Special Libraries Association - Pittsburgh Chapter.