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11-PIM-0177b-OutlookJrnl-Trim-8.125x10.75-R1.indd 1 4/26/11 9:52 AM jan feb information 12 V 16 | N 01 outlook THE MAGAZINE OF THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION

Info View Global Librarianship 3 future Now: 20 feeling Squeezed by Operation Agility Political Pressures brent mai Cindy Romaine, Susan Fifer Canby, and Ed Cortez Inside Info 5 Lau Named Librarian SLA member interview of Year ∙ Conference 25 10 Questions: Registration to Open in Nerisa Kamar February Stuart Hales

Info News market share 6 bill Would Blunt Public 28 Creating and Executing FOCUS: Access to Scholarly a Marketing Plan Competencies Publishing ∙ Report Jill Strand for librarians Favors Copyright Protection for Pre-1972 info tech Sound Recordings ∙ 30 Ten Ways to Make Certain Types of Yourself Indispensable 9 # PreTitleparing here Future Information to Become stephen Abram ProfessionalsAuthor through Broad Market Drivers in Coming Competency Planning Decade ∙ Repository 32 Industry Events 16Sa ndrTitlea Hi rshhere Service Available to Webinars Author Federal Agencies Ad Index 12 updating Competencies for Federal Librarians Carol E. Ramkey

16 Collaborate to Stay Relevant Karé Anderson

17 The Core Competence of Innovation Bruce Rosenstein

18 Incompetence is Preferable to Competence By Seth Godin

18 Your Core Competencies Should Set You Apart By Geoffrey Moore Invest in SLA and invest in your future!

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consultant, a futurist, and a communi- Future Now: Operation Agility cations expert offer their perspectives on core and professional competencies. I encourage you to examine your own professional competencies and take seriously the incredible power of your Information professionals must always be ability to communicate them within prepared to adapt to new forces, and SLA has a your organization. These competencies broad array of resources to help them respond. and the agility with which you articulate them will set you apart within your orga- By Brent Mai, SLA president nization and the information industry. Through SLA’s educational, networking and volunteer opportunities, you can upgrade and expand your competen- “Future Ready” was the invigorating tion profession, both personally and cies and practice their application in annual theme of 2011 SLA President virtually. They are the best professional a safe environment—among your SLA Cindy Romaine. One of its cornerstone colleagues you could ever get to know, cadre of professional colleagues. components was the Future Ready 365 whether they’re in your own communi- Webinars. SLA presents free and blog (futureready365.sla.org), and the ty, across the continent, or on the other low-cost Webinars throughout the year posts and comments on the blog defi- side of the globe. They make you more on topics that address the most critical nitely inspired the theme I chose for my agile by assisting you with information needs of our daily professional lives. The 2012 presidential year: “Future Now.” inquiries about subjects with which you experienced practitioners who present As I read the daily blog posts on are not familiar. As Sharlyn Lauby, a these Webinars are agile professionals Future Ready 365, it became evident leading human resources consultant, who are well versed in the topics they that, in many respects, the concepts author and blogger, says, “If you want discuss. The Webinars are offered at being postulated were already under to keep [your customers happy], you your desktop, and most are available to way. I reasoned that if we are going need to be agile—answer their ques- replay at any time. to be truly prepared, we need to be tions quickly and completely, respond Social media. SLA members actively thinking “in the future” already. And to their requests, and deliver your best hone their professional agility through how can we best prepare for this future information.” social media outlets, engaging one that is already here? We’ve got to be Your SLA colleagues can help you another through Facebook groups and agile—nimble and quick to adjust to make your career more agile as well. LinkedIn discussions. They share ideas new forces with new ideas and new Personally, I’ve been on both ends of in tweets, on blogs, and through discus- solutions. So I added a subtext to my this career agility equation: I’ve been sion lists. All of these communication theme. I’m calling it “Future Now: hired by SLA colleagues, and I’ve hired avenues help make us more agile in this Operation Agility.” SLA colleagues. information-rich age. In our professional lives, agility is def- Continuing education. SLA offers a Publications. Information Outlook initely a critical success factor. Michael variety of continuing education oppor- and the various chapter and division Hugos, chief information officer and tunities to keep your skill set as agile as publications, whether published online principal at the Center for Systems possible. Whether you’re participating or in print, provide yet more venues Innovation [c4si] and author of Doing in one of SLA’s certificate programs for exchanging our collective profes- Business in Real Time, puts it this way: (copyright management, competitive sional knowledge with one another. “Agility means that you are faster than intelligence, or knowledge manage- The Business & Finance Division and your competition. Agile time frames are ment), attending a course at the annu- the Academic Division each provide measured in weeks and months, not al conference, attending a workshop avenues for peer-juried professional lit- years.” sponsored by a local chapter, or par- erature, helping propel SLA members to Tomorrow is already here. In our ticipating in a Click University session, the forefront of their careers within their rapidly evolving global environment, we you’ll be better prepared (read “more organizations. must be able to proactively anticipate agile”) to anticipate what the future Volunteering. The pessimists among and positively respond to the needs has to offer and be ready to add value us would say that by emphasizing vol- of our organizations. SLA provides to the responses you make within your unteer experience, SLA is just trying many platforms for us to develop and organization. to get others to do the work of the enhance our professional agility. Competencies. In this issue of association. Well, to some degree, that Colleagues. Through SLA, you’ll meet Information Outlook, fellow information may be an outcome of such activity— hundreds of colleagues in the informa- professionals as well as a technology but the governance structure of SLA

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 3 info view

and its reliance on volunteer effort is a purposeful opportunity that SLA provides to enhance your personal and professional success. The opportunity to serve in SLA’s volunteer leadership roles is another benefit you can use to enhance your professional portfolio with demonstrable experience as a meeting organizer, group leader, budget plan- ner, copywriter, or time manager. Toolkit. The SLA Future Ready Toolkit provides strategic agility resources that contain information on how to use social media and other emerging tech- nologies, uncover alternative careers, SAVE THE DATE! add value to your deliverables, com- municate effectively with stakeholders in your organization, plan, write and present a value-added budget, and market with the three P’s (packaging, promotion, and promotion). Professional programs. Discounts and member-specific programs of study are SLA 2012 offered through SLA partnerships with Drexel University and San Jose State Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO University. These professional degree programs are excellent opportunities to maximize career advancement in your 15 – 18 July 2012 organization and mobility throughout McCormick Place • Chicago, Illinois our profession.

SLA is the world’s largest professional Networking, learning, and much more! association dedicated to the personal career growth and advancement of pro- fessionals in the information industry. In today’s economy, we need to take advantage of every opportunity for self- Register Early and SAVE $$! improvement. Share with your non-SLA www.sla.org/chicago2012 colleagues the value of agility in your organization and the personal impact that SLA has had on your career. Invite them to a local SLA meeting and to the SLA Annual Conference in Chicago this summer. Invite them to join you in your success—through SLA! SLA

4 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 inside info information outlook LAU HONORED · CONFERENCE REGISTRATION The Magazine of the Special Libraries Association Vol. 16, No. 01 January/February 2012

Lau Named Librarian of Year Conference Registration Information Outlook Advisory Council: Agnes Mattis (chair), Julio dos Anjos, Martha Foote, Jesus Lau, director of the USBI VER to Open in February Dennie Heye, Victoria Platt, Deb Rash, Justine Library at the University of Veracruzana Registration for the SLA 2012 Annual Wheeler, Mary Whittaker

in Mexico and a former member of the Conference will open on 27 February, Editor: Stuart Hales SLA Board of Directors (2002-2005), and SLA members who register on Graphic Design: Thought Word & Deed

was named Librarian of the Year at the or after that date and before 11 May Information Outlook® 25th Guadalajara International Book will qualify for the “early bird” rate of (ISSN 1091-0808) is published 6 times a year (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/ Fair. $529. August, September/October, November/December) Lau recently finished a term as The conference will begin Sunday, 15 by the Special Libraries Association, 331 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, Virginia president of the Mexican Association July, and conclude on Wednesday, 18 22314, [email protected]. +1 703.647.4900 of Librarians (2009-2011) and has July. Continuing education courses on Subscription Rates: authored more than 150 papers and knowledge management, competitive Annual subscription, US$ 160 United States; magazine articles in the field of infor- intelligence, contract management, and US$ 175 International. Single issue, US$ 20. Please report missing copies promptly to mation, as well as 15 books. Aside from other topics of interest to information [email protected]. To ensure continuous delivery SLA, he is active in the International professionals will be presented begin- of Information Outlook, please notify SLA promptly of address changes by writing [email protected]. Federation of Library Associations ning Friday, 13 July, through Sunday, When submitting address changes, please include (IFLA), having founded its Information 15 July. all the information on the mailing label. Changes Literacy Section and coordinated the The preliminary conference program, may not go into effect for four to six weeks. International Directory of Resources which provides an overview of con- Postmaster: Send address changes to: and Information Literacy. ference activities, will be posted on Information Outlook: Subscriptions The honor is the most prestigious sla.org when registration opens. For Special Libraries Association 331 South Patrick Street award granted to a librarian in Mexico. more information about the conference, Alexandria, VA 22314-3501 The book fair in Guadalajara is the visit www.sla.org/content/Events/confer- USA

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INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 5 info news

NIH Open Access Policy · Music Copyright · Information Demand

Bill Would Blunt Public Access with a publishing model that has proven Report Favors Copyright to Scholarly Publishing beneficial for researchers, publishers Protection for Pre-1972 Two members of Congress have intro- and scholars alike for generations. Sound Recordings duced a bill that would overturn a 2008 “The NIH policy deprives both authors The U.S. Copyright Office has pub- policy under which authors who receive and publishers of their free choice to lished a report advocating that sound grants from the U.S. National Institutes use the business model best suited recordings created before 15 February of Health (NIH) must make their manu- for disseminating content and could 1972 be given federal copyright protec- scripts available for free public access ultimately reduce incentives to make tion, just as those created after that within 12 months of publication. substantial investments in peer review- date enjoy. The bill, H.R. 3699 (the Research ing, publishing, and disseminating sci- Under current U.S. law, sound Works Act), states as follows: entific research,” AAP stated in a press recordings created before 15 February release. “The primary beneficiaries will 1972 are protected by state laws until No Federal agency may adopt, imple- largely be non-U.S. entities who neither 15 February 2067, when they will enter ment, maintain, continue, or otherwise fund nor invest in research but will have the public domain. Music enthusiasts engage in any policy, program, or other free access to the information in the and archivists have urged Congress to activity that— copyrighted journal articles. U.S. pub- place all pre-1972 sound recordings (1) causes, permits, or authorizes lishers have already gathered evidence under the federal copyright umbrella, network dissemination of any private- that companies in China and India are saying it would best serve the causes sector research work without the prior planning to resell and distribute with- of preserving old sound recordings and consent of the publisher of such work; out authorization articles downloaded increasing public access to them. or from NIH’s PubMed Central database— Congress instructed the Copyright (2) requires that any actual or prospec- material produced by U.S publishers at Office to study the desirability and tive author, or the employer of such their own expense.” impact of extending federal coverage to an actual or prospective author, assent Critics of the bill say it is improper older sound recordings and to assess to network dissemination of a private- for publishing companies to charge the scope of such an undertaking. sector research work. research institutions and the public Congress also directed that the study The bill, which is co-authored by to access information about research examine the effect of federal coverage Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Carolyn they funded with their tax dollars. While on public access to those recordings Maloney (D-N.Y.), defines “private-sec- they acknowledge that publishing com- and the economic impact on rights tor research work” as follows: panies play vital roles in the editorial holders. and peer review processes, they do not The Copyright Office recommends … an article intended to be pub- believe these roles justify placing infor- that sound recordings fixed prior to 15 lished in a scholarly or scientific publi- mation behind firewalls and charging February 1972 be protected for 95 years cation, or any version of such an article for access. from publication or, if the work had not … describing or interpreting research The Special Libraries Association been published prior to that date, 120 funded in whole or in part by a Federal strongly opposes H.R. 3699, which years from fixation. In no case, howev- agency and to which a commercial or would essentially reverse the NIH Open er, should protection continue past 15 nonprofit publisher has made or has Access Policy and prevent other fed- February 2067. In cases where federal entered into an arrangement to make eral agencies from developing simi- protection would expire before 2067, a a value-added contribution, including lar policies to provide timely public right holder could extend that protection peer review or editing. access to taxpayer-funded research. by making the recording available to the The Association of American SLA encourages supporters of public public at a reasonable price and, during Publishers (AAP), which backs the access to speak out against the bill by a transition period of several years, noti- bill, says H.R. 3699 will safeguard contacting their members of Congress. fying the Copyright Office of its intent to “America’s leadership in scholarly and A draft letter of opposition, developed secure extended protection. scientific publishing in the public inter- by the Alliance for Taxpayer Access (of Some right holders object to extending est and in the critical peer-review sys- which SLA is a member), is available at federal protection to pre-1972 record- tem that safeguards the quality of such www.taxpayeraccess.org/action/action_ ings, arguing that it would create uncer- research.” The group opposes the NIH access/draftletter_HR3699.shtml. tainty about existing ownership of those Open Access Policy, saying it interferes recordings. The Copyright Office claims

6 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 info news

that this concern can be addressed by lectual service economy in the able, digital collection, enabling users expressly providing that the ownership same way that time and motion to access the content easily. of copyright in the sound recording studies did for manufacturing in “There is a huge demand coming shall vest in the person who owned the the 20th century. from national laboratory and federal rights under state law just prior to the research communities to dramatical- The emphasis on making better enactment of the federal statute. ly update the way scientists publish, use of information and technology is To read the report, visit the Copyright share, and archive information,” says fresh proof, in Gartner’s view, that the Office’s Website at www.copyright.gov/ NTIS Director Bruce Borzino. “Through “Information Age” has crested and is docs/sound. selected partnerships such as this one now entering a new stage. [with a private vendor], NTIS can attain “In the first half of the Information Certain Types of Information its e-science development goal of cre- Age, the primary focus was the tech- to Become Market Drivers ating new levels of transparency for nology itself, [and] this is where great in Coming Decade scientific, technical, and engineering fortunes were made by companies Information about sustainability, genetic content.” like IBM and Microsoft,” said Mark research and sociocultural factors will Individual IRs will be developed for Raskino, vice president of Gartner. “In become increasingly important during agencies based on a core set of ser- this period, the majority of companies the coming decade as organizations try vices. Among the core services to be that gained competitive advantage did to gain and extend a competitive advan- provided will be the following: so by differential access to the technol- tage by making better use of existing ogy from these providers—for example, • Content inventories, selection, and knowledge. by having more capital to invest in it or harvesting; In a report titled “Strategic Information better skills at installing it in their busi- Management for Competitive • The ability to map agency informa- nesses. Advantage,” Gartner, an information tion to a core metadata scheme “In the second half of the age, as technology research and consulting based on the standards to be used technology becomes ubiquitous, con- firm, identified four specific types of by, and the needs of, the agency; sumerized, cheaper and more equally information likely to dominate business available to all, the focus for differ- • A customized interface design; competition over the next 10 years, entiation moves to exploitation of the much as process information and cus- • Increased search capabilities; and technology and to the information it tomer information did during the past processes,” Raskino continued. “It is • Disaster recovery, archiving and 15 years. These information categories already noticeable that the great for- preservation. are as follows: tunes of the second half of the age are • Location information, which will offer Optional services may include extend- being made by companies like Google opportunities to better optimize the ing the core metadata scheme to meet and Facebook, which are not traditional use of almost any movable physi- the specific needs of the agency audi- makers of technology. In this period, cal asset (human or inanimate) in ence, customized controlled vocabular- the majority of companies that enjoy almost any business. ies and taxonomies, metadata creation competitive advantage will gain it from and controlled vocabulary indexing, • Sustainability information, which a differential ability to see and exploit quality assurance capabilities, and val- will be integral to advancing busi- the opportunities of new kinds of infor- ue-added subject matter expertise. ness models in industries that are mation.” For more information, visit www.ntis. adapting to the realities of a finite gov. SLA Earth while meeting the demands Repository Service Available of emerging consumer markets. to Federal Agencies The National Technical Information • DNA information, which will be criti- Service (NTIS), a division of the U.S. cal to innovation and productivity Department of Commerce, is develop- in agriculture, medical care and ing an institutional repository (IR) ser- pharmaceuticals and will also affect vice for federal agencies. insurance and other sectors. Institutional repositories are collec- • Social graph information, which will tions of scientific and technical infor- help companies assess and under- mation documents and other content stand organizational, cultural and that represent the work and mission of other factors affecting workforce pro- an organization. The NTIS repository ductivity and help advance the intel- will provide the content as a search-

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 7 Preparing Future Professionals through Broad Competency Planning 9 Competencies By Sandy Hirsh Updating Competencies for Federal Librarians 12 for Librarians By Carol Ramkey Collaborate to Stay Relevant 16 By Karé Anderson The Core Competence of Innovation 17 By Bruce Rosenstein Incompetence is Preferable to Competence 18 By Seth Godin Your Core Competencies Should Set You Apart 18 By Geoffrey Moore

8 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 competencies for librarians Preparing Future Professionals through Broad Competency Planning

Competencies taught in library school must prepare students to adapt to diverse employment environments and changes in the professional landscape.

By Sandra Hirsh, MILS, PhD

n today’s environment of rapid In these examples, competencies are Competencies also play a role in technological changes, compet- used for a narrow purpose—hiring for library school education. However, itive job markets and evolving a particular position, building a train- when library school faculty plan learn- job roles, it’s critical to exam- ing program for a specific group of ing outcomes for students, they must Iine the competencies needed to suc- practitioners, or evaluating employee think more broadly about the issue ceed as an information professional. performance to make promotion deci- of competencies. Rather than thinking In our profession, competencies are sions. A list of professional competen- about how competencies can be used used for different purposes. For exam- cies, like those established by SLA, to assess a specific group of employ- ple, when library leaders develop a guide library leaders as they assess ees in one setting, educators need to new job description or evaluate an the skills, knowledge, experience, prepare graduates for a wide range of employee’s performance, they may rely and abilities of current personnel and professional roles (Lester and Van Fleet on a set of competencies developed by future employees (Gonzalez 2010). The 2008). Students, meanwhile, need to a professional association to guide their Library Leadership Administration and master the competencies necessary for actions. When an organization plans its Management Association developed a the first job they’ll take after graduation continuing education offerings, it may list of competencies for library leaders as well as the foundational knowledge turn to a list of professional competen- aimed at providing a common lan- they’ll need to adapt to changing roles cies for guidance as it chooses the guage to guide leadership development throughout their career. focus of its training program. (Ammons-Stephens et al. 2009).

Sandy Hirsh is director of the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University and a second-generation librarian whose library experience dates back more than 25 years and includes work in academic and special libraries. In addition to her roles as a library school professor and administrator, Hirsh has leveraged her knowledge as an information professional to pursue career opportunities with leading global companies. She worked as a senior user experience manager at Microsoft and director of the Information Research Program at HP Labs. She can be reached at [email protected].

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 9 competencies for librarians

Choosing Competencies learning how to organize information, cies. In addition, each assignment is for Graduate Programs regardless of the tools used to accom- linked to at least one competency, so Like many other graduate programs, plish this task. students can recognize how the activity the San Jose State University School of prepares them to master specific knowl- Library and Information Science (SLIS) How Competencies Guide edge they’ll need after graduation. uses a set of competencies as program Curriculum Planning MLIS students also have the option learning outcomes for all students in to complete an internship, where they After establishing the competencies its Master of Library and Information can connect learning to practice in required of all its graduates, SLIS fac- Science (MLIS) program. From the first an employment setting. They spend a ulty use those competencies as the day students begin their courses, and semester focusing on identified learn- building blocks for curriculum plan- throughout their program, faculty guide ing objectives, which students choose ning. The competencies are integrated students as they focus on understand- in consultation with a faculty advisor throughout the curriculum, with each ing and mastering each competency. and internship site supervisor. Although course carefully designed to address a In developing its list of competencies, all MLIS courses explore ways to apply specific group of competencies. SLIS faculty reviewed competency lists learning to practice, internships pro- A faculty committee reviews the entire published by professional associations vide a hands-on approach to applying curriculum to ensure that each com- to ensure that the school’s learning out- competencies under the guidance of a petency is adequately covered. MLIS comes align with professional standards. practitioner. students must complete six required As examples, the American Library The final step in the MLIS program is courses and can choose from more Association (ALA) lists 41 competen- the culminating experience: Students than 50 electives to develop a program cies for graduates of ALA-accredited have the option to complete a thesis or tailored to their interests. A combination master’s programs, and SLA offers its an e-portfolio. Students who choose to of required courses and electives pro- own list of 2 core competencies, 23 complete an e-portfolio must reflect on vides students with a broad exploration professional competencies, and 15 why each competency is important and of the various competencies in diverse personal competencies for information how they will use this knowledge in the contexts. If the committee identifies any professionals. Professional associations future. They must present convincing competencies that are not adequately regularly update their competencies to evidence of their ability to apply each represented in current course offerings, reflect changes in the field: ALA updat- competency. In addition, they must new courses are developed and added ed its competencies in 2009, and SLA present their understanding of how the to the curriculum. is currently revising its competencies, competencies are connected, reinforc- The competencies are used to assess which were last updated in 2003. ing the need to have a well-rounded individual student learning as well as After reviewing competency lists approach to service as an information the overall MLIS program. They are an published by professional associations, professional. important part of the program’s ALA SLIS faculty then distilled those lists As one student shared in an exit accreditation review process, wherein into 15 competencies required for all survey, “An e-portfolio gives students program leaders demonstrate that pro- of its MLIS program graduates. The a rare opportunity to reflect holistically fessional competencies are integrated competencies, which are listed in the on their education. Classes become throughout the curricula. In addition, accompanying sidebar, represent trans- important collectively rather than just competencies are part of the ongoing ferrable skills and knowledge that can individually. Producing the e-portfolio program assessment for the university’s be used in a wide range of information gave me the chance to review my entire regional accreditation process with the settings. Regardless of the environment graduate education.” Western Association of Schools and in which they may work or the specific While the e-portfolio is not intended Colleges. career pathway they may pursue, MLIS to be an employment dossier due to its SLIS students are introduced to the program graduates need to know how substantial length and academic tone, MLIS program’s competencies in the to apply the 15 competencies in the faculty advisors encourage students to four core courses they take as they myriad situations they will encounter. select portions of their e-portfolio to begin their studies. They learn why they In developing its 15 competencies, highlight their achievements and speak need to be competent in each area, SLIS purposefully crafted them to allow persuasively about their accomplish- rather than focusing on mastering just for adaptability to diverse employment ments during employment interviews. a few of the competencies. environments and future changes in the Instructors remind students that their In those first classes and throughout professional landscape. For example, e-portfolios serve multiple purposes. the program, each course syllabus lists technology is rapidly evolving. Rather They are a reflective learning experi- the competencies that are emphasized than focus on how students can use ence, as students decide which arti- in the class, allowing students to focus current technology to organize informa- facts to include in their e-portfolios and their learning activities on an in-depth tion, one SLIS competency focuses on determine how to best organize this exploration of two or three competen-

10 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 competencies for librarians

collection of information. They are also When ALA, SLA or another professional REFERENCES a showcase of student achievement, association updates its competency Ammons-Stephens, S., H.J. Cole, K. Jenkins- which can be useful when seeking statements, SLIS faculty review those Gibbs, C.F. Riehle, and W.H. Weare, Jr. 2009. employment. changes to determine whether the MLIS Developing core leadership competencies for program competencies should also be the library profession. Library Leadership & The Competitive Edge refreshed. Management, 23(2): 63-74. In fact, the ability to adapt to change for New Graduates Gonzalez, M.E. 2010. Workforce competen- is perhaps one of the most impor- By focusing on competencies during cies: Focus on urban public libraries. Library tant competencies a new graduate graduate school, students are well pre- Trends, 59(1/2): 269-287. can bring to today’s work environment. pared to articulate what they know to a New graduates should demonstrate a Lester, J., and C. Van Fleet. 2008. Use of potential employer. They can demon- positive attitude in the face of change, professional competencies and standards strate their mastery of the knowledge emphasize their ability to anticipate and documents for curriculum planning in schools and skills employers look for when mak- flexibly adapt to change, and showcase of library and information studies educa- ing hiring and promotion decisions. their willingness to engage in lifelong tion. Journal of Education for Library and In response to a recent SLIS survey, learning in response to a changing work Information Science, 49(1): 43-69. employers cited the following top skills environment. SLA they want employees to demonstrate:

• Effective written and verbal commu- Statement of Core Competencies nication skills; Each graduate of the San Jose State University Master of Library and • A passion for continuous learning Information Science program is able to... and adaptability to new technology; A. articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and infor- and mation professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom; • Proficient use of current and emerg- B. compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and ing information technologies. information professionals practice; MLIS students must demonstrate C. recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use; these competencies to earn their D. apply the fundamental principles of planning, management and marketing/ degree. For example, one competency advocacy; focuses specifically on communication E. design, query and evaluate information retrieval systems; skills, including the ability to work col- F. use the basic concepts and principles related to the creation, evaluation, laboratively with peers. Another compe- selection, acquisition, preservation and organization of specific items or tency focuses on emerging technology collections of information; use in libraries and other information organizations. G. understand the system of standards and methods used to control and create information structures and apply basic principles involved in the organization SLIS leaders frequently reach out to and representation of knowledge; employers to garner their input about the knowledge and skills they seek when H. demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communica- making hiring decisions. School leaders tion technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resourc- also regularly review job postings for es and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities; LIS positions to ensure that the school’s I. use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information faculty and students understand the access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users; competencies today’s employers seek in J. describe the fundamental concepts of information-seeking behaviors; new employees. In addition, the school K. design training programs based on appropriate learning principles and relies on several advisory committees, theories; composed of practitioners and other L. understand the nature of research, research methods and research experts, to inform curriculum planning findings; retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scholarly and professional and ensure that the school continues to literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups; offer relevant coursework built upon the M. demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group foundational knowledge required of all work, collaborations and professional level presentations; information professionals. As with the competency statements of N. evaluate programs and services on specified criteria; and professional organizations, the school’s O. contribute to the cultural, economic, educational and social well-being set of core competencies is a living doc- of our communities. ument, which is continuously refined.

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 11 competencies for librarians Updating Competencies for Federal Librarians

Identifying the competencies needed for librarians working in the federal government has proved helpful in a range of tasks, including writing job descriptions and performance plans.

By Carol E. Ramkey, MLS

he Federal Library and ship. The FEDLINK Human Resources Library Association, the American Information Network Working Group (HRWG), for example, Association of Law Libraries, and the (FEDLINK) of the Library of develops strategies to support profes- National Library of Medicine. We then Congress is a consortium of sional personnel standards and recruit- began to develop competencies that federalT agencies that work together to ment initiatives. reflected the federal nature of our library encourage optimum use of the resourc- positions. es and facilities of federal libraries and Developing the Competencies We decided that the competencies, information centers. FEDLINK does this which consisted of knowledge, skills In 2007, Roberta I. Schaffer, then exec- by promoting common services, coordi- and abilities (KSAs), should be divided utive director of FEDLINK, charged nating and sharing available resources, into two groups: shared competencies the HRWG with creating the original and providing continuing professional and functional domains. Shared com- competencies for federal librarians. For education for federal library and infor- petencies are those that are common more than a year, a working group (of mation center staff. (For more informa- to most people in the library profession which I was a member) met at least tion, visit www.loc.gov/flicc/.) and that all federal librarians should once a month for a full workday to FEDLINK has 10 working groups that have, regardless of their level of exper- develop these competencies. support the vision and mission of the tise in the functional competencies. We began by reviewing competencies consortium and focus on areas that are They include such abilities and skills as from a number of library-related orga- central to the field of federal librarian- reading, applied learning, listening, and nizations, including SLA, the American problem solving. Functional domains, on the other hand, are KSAs that are tied to the func- Carol Ramkey is director of the Library of the Marine Corps in tions performed by librarians and are Quantico, Virginia. She also serves as chair of the Federal Library categorized as basic, advanced, and and Information Center Committee’s Human Resources Working Group. She can be reached at [email protected]. expert. The functional domains we cre- ated in 2007-2008 were the following: • Agency and Organization Knowledge; • Collection Management;

12 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 competencies for librarians

• Content Organization and Structure; Someone can have high-level • Library Leadership and Advocacy; competencies in one functional area • Library Technology Management; and beginner-level competencies • Reference and Research; and in another. • Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Each domain had several sub- knowing better, we were repeating this were undertaking outside of traditional domains; for example, the Agency mistake. We, too, had begun saying library work. and Organization Knowledge sub- things like “a GS-9 does not do the kind domains were Agency and Organization of work that would require that level Updating the Competencies Context and Culture, Federal Laws of KSA” and “only a 15 would need In September 2010, when the HRWG and Regulations, and Agency and to have that KSA.” We were halfway was planning its Fiscal Year 2011 Organization Regulations, Policies and through the process when we realized (Oct. 2010 – Sept. 2011) projects, I Guidelines. Within each sub-domain what we had done, and then we had to suggested that we review and update were a series of KSAs arranged by level start over from the beginning. the competencies. We established a of expertise. We learned the hard way that an indi- Competencies Update Group under the vidual’s competencies are not defined direction of Amy Taylor, the systems by a particular grade or pay band. Starting Over librarian at the Library of the Marine Someone can have high-level com- The process of developing the compe- Corps, and the members set to work. petencies in one functional area and tencies was grueling, but our intensive It quickly became clear that they were beginner-level competencies in another. meeting schedule was one of the rea- uncomfortable making changes to the Basic competencies do not necessarily sons we were successful. We discov- document—many of the members of the correspond to lower-grade positions, ered we needed the face-to-face inter- original competencies group had been nor do expert competencies correspond action and the time to get thoroughly quite senior within the federal librarian only to higher-grade positions. immersed in the process. community, and the new group did not The working group decided that our Halfway through the process, we feel they had the credibility to make competencies document should incor- realized we were falling into a trap. changes to the original document. They porate a “pick list” of competencies. Most positions for federal librarians are also felt they lacked the “institutional The pick list would allow someone to defined by “grades” (for librarians, the memory” needed in their deliberations. identify his or her level of expertise for grades are 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15) I agreed to join the committee to pro- each domain or sub-domain, while a that determine the pay a person receives vide the institutional memory and to manager could pick and choose sub- and the level of work he or she performs. encourage the new group to change the domains and competency levels for The Office of Personnel Management original competencies. a job description or a performance or (OPM), the U.S. Government’s human We quickly settled into a routine of training plan that meet the specific resources department, establishes the monthly all-day meetings, during which needs of a job, person or plan. grades, and all federal employees are we reviewed every line of the original After more than a year of work, supposed to work on tasks defined document with an eye toward simplify- we published a document, Federal by their grade and pay levels. Even in ing and updating the competencies. Librarian Competencies, and happily federal agencies that have moved to a Those who could not attend the meet- returned to our “real jobs.” We agreed more fluid pay-band system, the tasks ings agreed to draft certain sections that the competencies would need to within the pay band define the work an and send them to the working group to be updated regularly and that no one individual can perform. complete the process. This saved valu- involved in the initial creation should or Federal employees are accustomed able committee time and gave people would be involved in the updating. (We to “pigeonholing” someone into a grade who were unable to participate in the felt that we had spent so much time or pay-band level. Our working group meetings a chance to contribute. with the competencies that we might found that when we asked for input on During the updating process, we not see how they should be changed, competencies from the federal librarian made the following changes: so we decided that future updates community, many people confused the should be made by a different group of • Changed the name of the docu- tasks that are associated with a spe- people.) We also agreed that the docu- ment to the FLICC Federal Librarian cific pay level with competencies. It is ment was not perfect and that it would Competencies. very difficult to break this habit, as we need to expand to include functions found when we discovered that, despite • Revised and rearranged the shared and work areas that federal librarians

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 13 competencies for librarians

competencies and renamed them from those words. Nevertheless, at the basic level and “Knowledge, foundational competencies. in modifying the basic format of skills or ability to ...” at both the the functional competencies, we advanced and expert levels. • Renamed the functional domains did use those words in a more functional competencies and • Added knowledge management as a general sense. stopped using the word domain. functional competency. • We removed the phrase • Removed introductory text about We also reviewed every statement in “Demonstrates the ability to” from knowledge, skills and abilities the functional competencies and made the competency statements and because OPM is moving away revisions where needed. For example, in replaced it with “Knowledge of …” the Content Organization and Structure competency area, we added sections Knowledge Management on content structure, design, and dis- semination; controlled vocabularies, Basic Stage Advanced Stage Expert Stage taxonomies, thesauri, and ontologies; information architecture; and resource Knowledge Management Prinicples description. We also added new sections Has knowledge of… Has knowledge, skill in the Library Leadership and Advocacy • knowledge management or ability to… and Library Technology Management • evaluate, select, develop, (KM) principles, theories, competency areas, as follows: and methodologies. or modify knowledge management (KM) • Library Leadership and Advocacy: methodologies and techniques. • best practices and evaluation • create, assess, or modify • business processes collaborative tools and knowledge sharing • program and project management methods. • explain organizational • public relations and library promo- culture from the tion perspective of employees, • research funding and publication customers, the organization, and the larger federal • strategic and operational planning environment. • Library Technology Management: KM Methodologies • assistive technologies and 508 Has knowledge of… Has knowledge, skill, or Has knowledge, skill, or compliance • knowledge sharing, ability to… ability to… • enterprise information technology • interpret, explain, and apply assessment, assets, and • create, assess, and modify (IT) retention techniques. knowledge sharing knowledge sharing • KM best practices. techniques. techniques. • social media, collaborative, and • narrative, storytelling, and • explain and apply knowledge • evaluate outcomes and mobile technologies interviewing techniques. assessment, knowledge adapt knowledge assess- • knowledge (concept) maps. assets, and knowledge ment, asset, and retention In May 2011, we published the • human computer interaction retention. techniques. new competencies as planned. The (HCI) techniques. • explain and apply KM best • create, assess, and modify competencies are available online at practices. KM best practices. www.loc.gov/flicc/publications/Lib_ • explain and apply narrative, • evaluate outcomes and Compt/2011/2011Competencies.pdf. storytelling, and interviewing adapt narrative, storytelling, techniques. and interviewing techniques. • explain and apply knowledge • create, modify, and adapt Lessons Learned (concept) mapping. knowledge (concept) Why did we go to all of this trouble? • select, interpret, and apply mapping. First and foremost, those of us who human computer interaction • create or adapt human participated in the process believed (HCI) techniques. computer interaction (HCI) there was a need for a set of com- techniques. petencies that corresponded to other established professional competencies The Knowledge Management competencies for federal librarians. Source: FLICC Federal Librarian but still focused on the federal nature of Competencies. our jobs. Second, we helped our federal

14 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 competencies for librarians

librarian colleagues better understand education classes for federal librarians, Equally important, we learned the the competencies needed for their jobs and I have heard from other federal value of institutional memory and how and, in so doing, assisted them with librarians that they have used them to very important it is in revising a major managing their professional develop- develop learning objectives for training work. If nothing else, it gives the group ment. Finally, we helped supervisors classes as well as to create job descrip- working on the revision explicit permis- of librarians develop job descriptions tions and individual development and sion to change the work of those pre- and performance plans based on com- performance plans. As part of a Navy ceding them. petencies so they could better manage Working Group, I have used them to Looking ahead, what does the future their employees. develop competencies for Navy and hold for the federal librarian compe- We also did it because we like tilting Marine Corps librarians. tencies? I hope they will continue to at windmills. Sometimes when you go What lessons did we learn from our be used to improve the recruitment, after windmills, you create something efforts? We learned several, especially development and management of the that allows crops to grow and develop. that we could— federal librarian workforce. I expect that Our “crops” are the current and future within the next 3-5 years, the HRWG • Build on the efforts of those before librarians who comprise the federal will establish a new competencies us; librarian community, and our aim is to update group. While the experience provide them with a set of competen- • Fit a major project into our work lives creating and updating the competen- cies to help them grow as individuals if we had the ability and will to set cies was valuable and enjoyable, I think and federal employees. aside the time; twice is enough for me. But I would Was it worth the effort? I think every- strongly encourage other federal librar- • Meet face to face, even in an age of one involved in creating and updating ians to consider participating in the next wikis, teleconferencing and e-confer- the competencies would agree that it update group. It’s hard work, but it’s encing; and was. We hear that people both within satisfying work. SLA and outside the federal government • Work for an entire day and be more use the competencies. For example, productive than if we had worked for the FEDLINK Education Working Group just a couple of hours. uses them to develop training and

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INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 15 competencies for librarians

and enable the overarching organiza- tion to be in closer touch with what the Views from Outside community knows and the changes Last year, SLA appointed six members to a task force to refresh the associa- sought by its members. tion’s competencies for information professionals, which were last updated Collaboration also spurs people to in 2003. The competencies currently are organized into three categories— become more active after experienc- professional, personal and core—each of which addresses points of focus, ing the use of their best talents around such as managing information organizations and applying information tools. others. This effect also brings out their Professional competencies relate to the practitioner’s knowledge of infor- best temperament. We may exist as a mation resources, access, technology, and management, and the ability to use community, yet we achieve as teams. this knowledge to provide the highest quality information services. As social animals, we thrive on feel- Personal competencies represent a set of attitudes, skills and values ing our collective strengths in action that enable practitioners to work effectively and contribute positively to their around projects that are meaningful for organizations, clients and profession. us. After a few positive interactions, our Core competencies emphasize the value of developing and sharing trust in the smaller and larger group knowledge through association networks and by conducting and disseminating grows, as does our sense of belong- research at conferences, in publications, and in collaborative arrangements. ing. We are better able to talk through The two preceding articles, written by information professionals, addressed conflicts and overlook others’ irritating specific competencies for librarians. To help put the topic of competencies in behaviors because of our desire to stay a broader context, Information Outlook asked three experts from outside the affiliated. profession (plus a librarian familiar with management issues) to share their Ironically, the more we feel attached thoughts about competencies and specifically core competencies. to a group, the more likely we are to take extreme stands on behalf of it. That’s how tightly knit groups become more extreme over time, as two books— name, only becomes worthwhile when Going to Extremes and The Big Sort— Collaborate to two or more people adopt a way to work point out. together that generates more value for Stay Relevant To avoid this downside, savvy orga- By Karé Anderson them than they could achieve by work- nizations arrange their affairs so that ing alone. The greatest keys to produc- To stay relevant and sought-after in small groups, chapters or other sub- tive collaboration are having the right this increasingly complex yet connect- sets can regularly interact with people players, an apt collaboration method, ed world, strengthen two intertwined outside their unit. This allows them to and a strongly felt common benefit in traits that will also enable you to lead bring fresh perspectives back to their collaborating and/or agreed-upon rules a more adventure- group and form relationships outside of of engagement. some, meaning- it. As Steven Johnson wrote, “We need From first-hand experience and help- ful life with others. to play each other’s instruments.” ing hundreds of groups collaborate, I’ve First, continuously Of course, self-organized small learned that one vital rule to collaborat- hone your great- groups within a larger organization are ing is establishing conditions under est talent. Second, just one of many specific collaboration which an individual or organization can seek out others with methods that you and I have come be kicked out of the collaboration. As complementary tal- across. Others I’ve found useful include Robert Axelrod noted, “Groups need ents and a “sweet co-creation, cross-promotion, mutual both carrot- and stick-based rules to spot” of shared interests, then adopt a mentoring, crowdsourcing and mini- remain stable.” An agreed-upon mix of collaboration method that enables you charettes. I’ve written about several of boundaries and boundless possibilities to accomplish more together than you them at my blog, Moving From Me to tends to bring out the better side in par- can on your own. We. I’d welcome hearing about your ticipants and support productive work. Collaboration is not a new concept— favorite methods, collaborative behav- Because it’s easier than ever in our just one that is becoming increasingly iors, rules of engagement and success connected world to find the right part- inevitable if we are to survive, let alone stories. ners, good (and bad) things spread thrive. As Charles Darwin observed, “In faster and from more places. An upside the long history of humankind ... those Karé Anderson speaks and consults on example is the strength of small special who learned to collaborate and impro- collaboration and quotability. She is an Emmy- interest groups within Rick Warren’s vise most effectively have prevailed.” winning former Wall Street Journal and NBC Saddleback Church. Active groups reporter and author of Getting What You Want, But collaboration, as Morten Hansen strengthen relationships, build loyalty Walk Your Talk and Resolving Conflict Sooner. emphasized in his book of the same

16 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 competencies for librarians

The Core Drucker, a keynote speaker at the advised people to take time away from SLA 2002 Annual Conference, coined the daily demands of work to think Competence the term “knowledge worker” in about the activities or abilities in which of Innovation the late 1950s. In 1995, he wrote a they currently excel and might excel in Harvard Business Review article, “The the future. By Bruce Rosenstein Information Executives Need Today,” You don’t necessarily have to perform in which he paid tribute to Hamel and a particular activity better than anyone The concept of core competencies is Prahalad’s article, stating that because else in the world. But to be a true core closely related to the work of Peter of it, “…we have known that leadership competency, an activity must be a cen- Drucker, the “father of modern man- rests on being able to do something tral part of your being, one that makes agement,” who died in 2005. Gary others cannot do at all or find difficult you the kind of person others trust and Hamel and the late to do even poorly. It rests on core com- with (or for) whom they want to work. C.K. Prahalad intro- petencies that meld market or customer You have to be willing to take action to duced this concept value with a special ability of the pro- strengthen your existing competencies in a 1990 Harvard ducer or supplier.” and to develop new ones for an uncer- Business Review Core competencies are also increas- tain future. article, “The Core ingly being applied to individuals. Drucker contended that core com- Competencies of the Drucker implored people to know their petencies vary from organization to Corporation,” and strengths and to build upon them. What organization and are, in effect, part of later expanded on do you do that is consistently excellent, an organization’s personality. But all it in a 1994 book, Competing for the something you can be paid for, now and organizations, he wrote, needed the Future. That same year, Drucker used in the future? core competence of innovation. How the term in his own ground-breaking The answer will be different for differ- true is that of our libraries and informa- Harvard Business Review article, “The ent people, but it might include areas tion centers, and to what extent is the Theory of the Business,” later antholo- like writing, selling, creating art, ana- competence of innovation ingrained in gized in Managing in a Time of Great lyzing information, and so on. Drucker us personally? The answers to those Change (1995) and other books.

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INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 17 competencies for librarians

questions will have a lot to do with our pitch is carefully outlined on paper in continued capacity to thrive. script form. Oh, there’s one other thing: As we’ve Info File Bruce Rosenstein is the author of Living turned human beings into competent in More Than One World: How Peter Drucker’s components of the giant network known Writing for Information Outlook Wisdom Can Inspire and Transform Your as American business, we’ve also erect- Information Outlook welcomes queries from authors Life (Berrett-Koehler 2009). He was named about articles of interest to information professionals. ed huge barriers to change. In fact, For writer’s guidelines and a current editorial calendar, managing editor of Leader to Leader, the quar- see www.sla.org/WriteForIO or write to [email protected]. terly journal of the Leader to Leader Institute competence is the enemy of change! Please allow six to eight weeks for acceptance. (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Competent people resist change. Nonprofit Management), in April 2011. He can Letters to the Editor Why? Because change threatens to be reached at [email protected]. Comments on articles or opinions on any topic make them less competent, and com- of interest to information professionals may be submitted as letters to the editor. They should be petent people like being competent. sent to [email protected], with a subject line of “Letter That’s who they are, and sometimes to Editor.” All letters should include the following: Incompetence writer’s name, SLA volunteer title (if applicable), that’s all they’ve got. No wonder they’re city and state/province, and phone number. (We not in a hurry to rock the boat. won’t publish the phone number, but we may wish is Preferable to to call for verification.) Letters may be edited for If I’m going to bother going to a spe- brevity or clarity—or to conform to the publication’s Competence cial librarian, I want to find an incom- style. Letter writers will have an opportunity to ap- prove extensive editing prior to publication. By Seth Godin petent one—one who will break the rules and find me something no one Permissions Authors may distribute their articles as photocop- Core competence? I’d prefer core else can. ies or as postings to corporate intranet or personal incompetence. Web sites—for educational purposes only—without advance permission. In all cases, the reprinted Competent people have a predict- Seth Godin is a best-selling author or republished articles must include a complete able, reliable process for solving a par- (Permission Marketing, Unleashing the citation and also reference the URL www.sla.org/ Ideavirus, and others), an entrepreneur, and ticular set of prob- content/Shop/Information/index.cfm. a change agent. He was the closing keynote lems. They solve a For permission to reprint Information Outlook speaker at the SLA 2008 Annual Conference. articles in other publications, write to editor@sla. problem the same org. Include the issue in which the article was way, every time. published, the title of the article, and a description of how the article would be used. That’s what makes Your Core them reliable. That’s Subscriptions Print subscriptions are available for US$ 160 per what makes them Competencies year in the United States and US$ 175 outside competent. the United States. To order a subscription, visit Should Set You Apart www.sla.org/merchandise. Click on “Publications” Competent people in the left column under “Categories,” then scroll are quite proud of the status and suc- By Geoffrey Moore down to “Information Outlook Subscription.” cess that they get out of being compe- There is no discount to agencies. Core competencies are a two-edged tent. They like being competent. They Bulk subscription orders may be sent by postal mail sword—it all depends on how you guard their competence, and they work to: Information Outlook Subscriptions, 331 South define core. Patrick Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA. Enclose hard to maintain it. payment with the order to avoid delays in activation. The traditional approach is to take Over the past 20 to 30 years, we’ve core to mean fundamental, central, or Online subscriptions are included with membership witnessed an amazing shift in U.S.- and are not available to non-member subscribers. essential. In this sense, core competen- based businesses. Not so long ago, cies are “the things we are best at, the Claims companies were filled with incompetent Claims for missing issues should be sent to things we are known for.” When people workers. If you bought a Pacer from [email protected]. Claimants should include argue they should continue to invest in full name and address of the subscriber and American Motors, it wasn’t all that sur- volume and issue numbers of missing issues. their core competencies, by this defini- prising to find a tool hidden in a door Provision of additional information—such as pur- tion they mean to double down on what chase date of subscription, check number, invoice/ panel of your new car. Back then, it account number—may reduce processing time. they do best. wasn’t uncommon for shipped products An alternative approach, one I have Membership to be dead on arrival. been advocating for the past decade, Inquiries about SLA membership should be sent to Computers changed that. Now, the [email protected]. defines core in a different way. It says receptionist can’t lose your messages To update your address or other account informa- core should stand for whatever type of because they go straight into voice tion, to join SLA, or to renew your membership, go innovation your enterprise will use to set to www.sla.org/content/membership and select the mail. The assembly line worker can’t itself apart from its competitive set. In appropriate item from the menu in the left column. drop a tool, because it’s attached to a this sense, core competencies are the numerically controlled machine. The capabilities you need to succeed in that telemarketer who interrupts your dinner effort, regardless of whether or not you is unlikely to overpromise, because the

18 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 competencies for librarians

have those competencies today. an entitlement. This is how companies happens under circumstances of deep Now, in an ideal world, the two would get trapped by their legacy successes. duress—the burning platform motivates be the same, and during periods of How one would address this challenge the jump—but by then it is often too great success they inevitably are. But is the subject of my most recent book, late. Being able to step up to this chal- here is the rub: sooner or later all estab- Escape Velocity: Free Your Company’s lenge while you still have options is lished enterprises discover that their Future from the Pull of the Past. The the sign of a great executive team. In core competencies in the first sense of focus is on taking an outside-in look at today’s world, where we need success- the term are no longer core in the sec- your enterprise to determine what the ful enterprises desperately, everyone is ond sense. That is, what they are best world most wants you to be, what role it hoping you will rise to the occasion. at no longer sets them apart from their most wants you to play, and what type competitive set. The world has caught of differentiation it would most willingly Geoffrey Moore is a best-selling author up to their core competence, and it reward. This must be balanced by an and consultant who specializes in helping organizations understand and exploit disrup- is no longer the differentiating force it inside-out look at yourself, to see if you tive technologies. His books include Dealing once was. want to align with the world in this way, with Darwin: How Great Companies Innovate at This is a painful moment indeed, and whether you think you have or can Every Phase of Their Evolution and Inside the for you are investing deeply in these develop or acquire the core competen- Tornado. competencies and they are not paying cies to succeed. The book consists of a back any returns in terms of competi- set of models and frameworks to help tive advantage. You must redirect your structure and guide this dialog. investment, but you discover that your To shift the ground of your core, and core competencies now look increas- thus your core competence, is a lead- ingly like sacred cows—that what ership challenge of the highest order. looked like a voluntary resource alloca- There is no incremental, carefully man- tion increasingly now is being treated as aged way to get it done. Most often it

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INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 19 Global Librarianship Feeling Squeezed by Political Pressures

Libraries in Cuba face daunting challenges, but are overcoming some of them thanks to the passion and ingenuity of their librarians.

By Cindy Romaine, MLIS, Susan Fifer Canby, MLS, and Ed Cortez, PhD, MLS

ne of the greatest chal- Daunting Challenges libraries have few computers, and these lenges facing contempo- Our six-day visit to Cuba took the 15 of are antiquated and use outdated soft- rary librarians is informa- us—all SLA members, though the trip ware. There are no photocopiers, and tion overload, the large was not sponsored by the association— library supplies are sparse. Oand growing volume of content being to several major institutions, including These challenges are compounded transmitted to and by organizations the Biblioteca Nacional de Cuba (Cuban by shortages of electricity and by Cuban and individuals. But imagine working National Library), the Universidad de government policies that severely limit in a library where the opposite is true— las Ciencias (University of Computer access to the Internet. In most cases, where information resources are limited, Sciences and Informatics), the Instituto Internet access is available only to access to and sharing of information are Cubano del Libro (Institute for the certain professors and their students. restricted, and information technology Book), and INFOMED, the National Cuban librarians use intranets to share is outdated and unreliable. Center for Medical Science Information. limited information within their institu- Last October, we and several of our At almost every stop, we were told that tions, which has enabled some of them colleagues visited the island nation of we were the first librarians from the to build reference content. Cuba and saw firsthand how librarians United States to visit these libraries. The restrictions on acquiring and cope with these and other challenges The statement was a grim reminder disseminating information and the lack that are mostly unknown to information that the U.S. government has, since of hard currency (due to the U.S. eco- professionals in the developed world. 1961, maintained an embargo on trade nomic embargo) force Cuba’s libraries We came away with mixed emotions— and travel with Cuba. The effects of the to acquire most of their books from admiration for the dedicated informa- embargo can be seen throughout the Mexico and other nations in Central and tion professionals who often struggle to country, and Cuba’s libraries have not South America. The materials we saw meet their users’ needs, and frustration been spared. Except for the University on the shelves looked well used, and over our inability to take even the small- of Informatics, which is tasked with most had been published before 1980. est steps to assist these professionals building the technical foundation of the When members of our group offered and improve their lot. country as well as developing software, to donate books and other materials, we were told that donations from U.S. citizens could not be accepted because Cindy Romaine is the immediate past president of SLA and principal of of government concerns about “imperi- Romainiacs Intelligence Research in Portland, Oregon. Susan Fifer Canby alistic” propaganda. Librarians caught is vice president emeritus of libraries and information services at the National with such books, no matter how apo- Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. Ed Cortez is a professor and director litical the content, could lose their jobs. at the School of Information Services at the University of Tennessee. Americans entering Cuba have even had children’s books confiscated. The difficulty in obtaining books is

20 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 Global Librarianship

exacerbated by the challenges of con- alternatively invigorated and weakened The institute’s library holds approxi- serving and storing them. The island’s the struggling nation. What we saw and mately 200,000 books, mostly from high humidity levels pose mildew prob- heard while visiting Cuba’s libraries had the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s, as lems, and most libraries lack sufficient the same effect on us, frustrating us at well as 8,000 serials and institutional resources to maintain their buildings. times yet delighting us at others. archives. It distributes copies of its pub- Several libraries we visited are being Sharing business cards with our new lications to public libraries throughout refurbished with help from non-govern- colleagues at meetings, we could only Cuba, and its staff travel to these librar- mental agencies and UNESCO. thank them for their hospitality and hope ies to assist them with programs. for an improvement in U.S.-Cuban rela- The institute has undertaken an Dedicated Professionals tions. The highlights of our meetings are expansion and modernization project, described in the following vignettes. which will enable some elements of the Despite these adversities, the librarians collection to be moved to a more pro- we met are holding their own. Cuban tected area (the institute’s closeness to librarians graduate from the University the ocean has caused some problems of Havana with degrees in library sci- Casa de las Américas with maintaining collections). ence, and the degree requirements By Phyllis Freedman, PhD include a work-study component so Casa de las Américas is an institute Phyllis Freedman is dean of library services students can apply their skills and devoted to the arts of Latin America at Salem International University in West knowledge at an institution where they Virginia. and the Caribbean. It collects Latin will later work. The librarians we met American art and literature in several use metrics, understand the need for categories, and awards prizes in five preservation, and are very interested in Special Library different areas. collaboration. In addition to two research centers, of the Museum of “I have to work within my reality,” Casa de las Americas supports pro- Natural History is the way Eduardo Torres Cuevas, grams on translation, women’s studies, By Erin Schlicht, MLIS director of the Cuban National Library, and Latino people in the United States. described the challenge of manag- The third floor of the Museum of Natural It also supports a publishing house, ing libraries in Cuba. That reality is History houses the modest special col- which produces five journals and up strongly influenced by Cuba’s history, lection of the Miguel L. Jaume García to 40 books a year. It operates sev- which reads like a docudrama featur- Library, named for the Cuban biologist eral bookstores, whose proceeds help ing authoritarian governments, revo- who spent 60 years studying entomology sustain the organization, and in 2011 lutionary figures, romantic music, and and mollusks. It houses approximately it sponsored the Twelfth International powerful hurricanes—forces that have 3,500 volumes in addition to journals Conference on Caribbean Literature. from Cuba and abroad. There are also small collections of VHS tapes and CDs, photos, maps, and rare books. The library offers reference servic- es over the telephone and in person. Though it is open to the public, its patrons are primarily researchers, stu- dents, scientists, and doctors. Books are purchased at the Havana International Book Fair or obtained through exchanges and donations. Each year, prior to the book fair, the library surveys its users to obtain recommen- dations for acquisitions. Shelf space is tight, however, so the staff must weed out older journals to make room for new ones. Discarded journals are donated to other libraries. Internet services are not offered due to a lack of equipment. Several of the librarians we met were young, but what they lacked in experi- SLA members and staff from the Casa de las Americas gather for a photograph in front of a piece of ence they made up for with their pas- the institute’s art collection. sion for their jobs. As a parting gift, they

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 21 Global Librarianship

gave each of us a copy of a beautiful year. The National Library has enjoyed people and government put on books coffee table book about Cuba’s environ- a good relationship with the U.S. Library and libraries, whether they see them as ment and ecosystems. of Congress, although Cuban librar- helpful or harmful. ians are unable to provide input to the Erin Schlicht is access services librarian at Library of Congress catalog. Mary Nell Bryant is retired from the the University of Minnesota Law Library. Congressional Research Service and the U.S. Foreign Service. She currently performs library Jane Bethel is the electronic resources/ reference librarian at the University of North development work in Liberia for the National Biblioteca Carolina. She is contracted to the U.S. Democratic Institute. Nacional de Cuba Environmental Protection Agency. By Jane Marion Bethel, MLIS National Center for At the Revolutionary Square in Havana, Cuban Institute of Medical Sciences we disembarked from our tour bus Friendship with Information (INFOMED) at the Biblioteca Nacional de Cuba the Peoples By Jeanie Fraser, MLS (the Cuban National Library), where By Mary Nell Bryant, MLS we met with leaders from the Cuban Public health is a priority for the Cuban Library Association (ASCUBI), the One of our first outings was an obliga- government, and INFOMED is the cen- Cuban Academy of Science’s Society of tory meeting with the staff of ICAP, the tral node for health and medical infor- Scientific and Technological Information, Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los mation. It supports the entire Cuban and the Institute of Documentation and Pueblos (Cuban Institute of Friendship medical system, including all of the Scientific and Technological Information with the Peoples). Housed in a beauti- provincial centers of information as well (IDICT). Eduardo Torres Cuevas, direc- fully restored 1926 mansion known as the medical centers and medical tor of the National Library, gave us an as the Casa de Amistad (House of school. It is the reference center for overview of the current status of Cuba’s Friendship), ICAP was founded immedi- medical professionals and hospitals, 411 public libraries: ately after the Cuban revolution in 1960 and it is a publishing house for journals • Hurricane damage, a lack of climate for the purpose of strengthening bonds and books written by Cuban medical control systems in buildings, and no of friendship and solidarity between professionals. INFOMED also maintains funding to repair or update buildings revolutionary Cuba and the world. a bibliography of medical articles writ- have caused libraries to deteriorate. ICAP’s instructor cited numerous ten by Cuban authors. instances of groups from the United INFOMED’s information specialists • A push is under way to get a digital States and the rest of the world coming take very seriously their responsibility repository project started and keep to Cuba to support the revolution and for managing health information and it functioning until all rare books assist the Cuban people, including their distributing it to public health instal- and unique documents have been libraries. Sadly, as we learned later, we lations (ranging from family clinics to scanned. could not deliver books and supplies to hospitals) and to more than 800 health • Last year, the first laws govern- Cuban libraries because any librarian to libraries. INFOMED staff also sponsor ing technology, uniform policy and whom materials were addressed would information literacy and distance learn- procedure, and ethical standards in be interrogated, and any librarian who ing programs to optimize the potential libraries were established. obtained books from abroad and put for library staff to get the most medical them on the shelves would risk los- information possible from the system. • A national intranet for library staff ing his or her job. The U.S. Interests INFOMED’s Web portal, which has is now available, and it includes a Section (which performs some of the existed for 15-plus years, was created human resources section with train- functions of an embassy) provides free as part of a project funded by the Pan ing resources. public Internet access and a limited American Health Organization to estab- • The libraries collectively share refer- library collection, but it cannot offer lish a virtual health library for medical ence material through interlibrary books and magazines to Cuban libraries students and professionals. The site loan, but it is difficult to conduct because of restrictions imposed by the and its contents are open access. training or share information or Cuban government. INFOMED staff emphasized that metadata without a national inte- While it was not possible for us to users are deeply involved in the design grated library management system. support the colleagues we met, we of the site’s pages (for example, the list are hopeful that we can build on the of medical specialties was designed The first major renovation and res- warm reception we received from the based on user response). Physicians toration of the National Library, built ICAP director and staff. We came away who are leaders in their field select the in 1955, will be completed early this impressed by the high value the Cuban information that is distributed within the

22 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 Global Librarianship

medical community. The physicians and it seemed as if the collection con- Reuben Martinez are not compensated for performing tained them all! Villena Public Library this gatekeeper function—they do it The library houses roughly 30,000 By Susan Fifer Canby, MLS based on their commitment to their volumes (many by and about Jiménez) profession. focusing on archeology, nature, the At our request, we visited the Reuben environment, permaculture, agricul- Martinez Villena Library, which occu- Jeanie Fraser is an independent information ture, world history, and Cuban history. pies the former U.S. Embassy in Old professional in the San Francisco area who It also contains 400 Cuban and non- Havana. One of the librarians on duty, specializes in biopharmaceutical research. Cuban periodicals and many videos, a graduate of the University of Havana CDs, DVDS, film, maps, speeches and library program, gave us a tour and Antonio Núñez Jiménez lectures. There is an archive of TV com- answered our questions. She told us mercials that were created to educate that all public libraries in Cuba encour- Foundation for Nature audiences about the environment and age citizens to sign up for a library card. and Humanity the foundation. But apart from this effort, libraries do By Robin Feuerstein The library has a small staff, but they little to promote themselves, because are assisted by more than 100 “col- they have no funds for this purpose. Founded in 1994, this foundation laborators.” It belongs to Gesproyec, a All information tracking systems are (FANJ) is a museum and library focus- network of special libraries that boasts manual, and the catalog has hand- ing on the long and prolific life of a digital catalog. The library uses written cards. Library staff are digitizing Antonio Núñez Jiménez, an explorer, UNESCO’s Winisis library software, pro- catalog records, and approximately 60 archeologist, naturalist, and diplomat vides research services, and publishes percent of the 80,000 records have who is commonly referred to as one a bulletin. Library patrons are primarily been converted to digital format. The of the four discoverers of Cuba. A researchers and students. library uses the Dewey Decimal system non-governmental organization, FANJ The library’s reading room has exqui- and subject headings from the Cuban undertakes a wide variety of ecological site desks with silk-covered chairs as National Library. projects and is dedicated to promoting well as wooden bookshelves from Fidel The technical services unit houses environmental awareness in Cuba. Castro’s Jesuit school. A major chal- about half the collection, as there is not The museum and library are located lenge facing the library is conservation, enough room in the main reading areas. in Jiménez’s lovely home. The museum as many of the photos, maps, speeches, The library acquires books based on collection includes artwork, pottery, and films are rapidly deteriorating. the expertise of the acquisitions librar- medals, jewelry, tools, and crucifixes. ian, who contacts Cuban publishers Among the paintings in this eclectic col- Robin Feuerstein is vice president of the for individual works. There are no book lection was a nearly life-sized rendering Interpublic Group and director of the Center jobbers. Donations are received from of an Incan leader. We were told that for Marketing Services, Interpublic’s advertising the Office of the Historian and non- Jiménez “saved every scrap of paper,” and marketing intelligence unit. governmental organizations. The public librarians have created a reference database on their intranet to capture information about Cuban his- tory and other topics requested by their users. The librarians use their limited access to the Internet to identify free information that they copy, translate and post to the intranet. Library staff members record every patron inquiry to help guide acquisi- tions and content for their intranet. We were assured that the user cards are protected from police and others by a human rights code of ethics.

Susan Fifer Canby is vice president emeritus of libraries and information services at the National Geographic Society.

SLA members greet library staff during a tour of the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation for Nature and Humanity.

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 23 Global Librarianship

Universidad de las services such as tutorials, information week, but is meant primarily as a refer- Ciencias Informáticas literacy training, and an institutional ence resource for publishers in Cuba. repository function. The library also There are 172 publishing houses By Rochelle M. Richardson, MLIS monitors the technological environment in Cuba, and each focuses on a spe- The Universidad de las Ciencias and tries to anticipate trends in comput- cific audience (for example, children’s Informáticas (University of Informatics ing and informatics. books, K-12 textbooks, or new authors). Sciences, or UCI) was founded in During our visit, we toured the uni- One house only publishes materials March 2002 to train professionals who versity’s exhibit showroom. The exhibit from members of Cuba’s Writers’ and are committed to developing software was divided into four sections: health Artists’ Union. and providing informatics services for and science; government; education, Book publishing in Cuba is heavily both national and international use. To culture and sports; and business and subsidized, to the point that printing that end, there are 8,000 computers industrial management. Each section costs exceed the shelf price. (If books on campus for training and software contained workstations through which were priced to make a profit, most development. Approximately 60 per- we could explore the programs and sys- Cubans would not be able to purchase cent of the software developed for use tems developed at UCI, and students them.) Sales proceeds are returned in Cuba, and 99 percent of the software and professors were on hand to demon- to the government, although there are developed within Cuba for use interna- strate the products, provide information some experiments being run to return a tionally, is produced at UCI. and answer questions. small profit to the publishing house. UCI has an integrated system of Publishers are required to sell books training, research and development. Rochelle Richardson is an independent to public libraries and deposit a copy in Development centers include identifi- librarian in the San Francisco area. She spe- the National Library. Cuban law requires cation and digital security, open source cializes in pharmaceutical development and that every publication run at least 1,400 related corporate information services. operating systems, e-government sys- copies, which are distributed as fol- tems, university computerization, citi- lows: 3 copies are deposited with the zen security, business management, Instituto Cubano del Libro National Library, 397 copies are offered enterprise resource planning, health By Amy Chatfield, MLS at a discount to each public library, and care (including imaging and image pro- 1,000 copies are printed to ensure that cessing), and geo-informatics. The Instituto Cubano del Libro (Cuban a copy is available at every bookstore. The online portal (biblioteca.uci.cu/), Book Institute) is part of the Ministry of This distribution method spreads infor- which provides a variety of databases Culture, which publishes and markets mation to both urban and rural areas, and other electronic resources, is avail- books. The institute’s library functions but it requires that books be shipped to able 24 hours a day from every comput- as a repository for the books published locations irrespective of market demand er on the UCI network. The library has by the multiple publishing houses con- (for example, a textbook on upper-level 48 technicians and specialists in library tained within the institute. The library is mathematics may not sell in a rural, science who provide traditional library open to the public two afternoons per agricultural area, but the publisher is required to send it anyway). After two years, unsold books may be returned to the publisher for re-distribution. The institute also organizes the International Book Fair of Havana, which travels throughout the country. Approximately 2 million people visit the Book Fair each year, and many people save their money and plan their vaca- tions to take advantage of the opportu- nity to purchase bags of books. Other institute activities include providing publications to prisons and working with prison libraries to offer literacy classes, and granting the annual National Prize in Literature. SLA

Amy Chatfield is information services librarian in the Norris Medical Library at the SLA members ask questions of librarians at the Instituto Cubano del Libro. University of Southern California.

24 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 sla member interview 10 Questions: Nerisa Kamar

She became a librarian ‘by default,’ but a mentoring relationship with a longtime SLA member has helped Nerisa Kamar become a leading voice for librarians in Kenya and throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

By Stuart Hales

ooks, journals and other Q: How long have you been a librarian, Q: UN-HABITAT seeks to promote media are the lifeblood of and what prompted you to become one? socially and environmentally sustain- libraries and information I became a professional librarian by able towns and cities. Did you have any centers, and many librarians default. I was a para-professional librar- education or experience in this area Bhave their hands full organizing their ian—in Kenya, to be recognized as a before taking the job? collections of these resources and mak- professional librarian, you must have a I have a bachelor’s degree and a mas- ing them available to clients when and master’s degree—and I was heading the ter’s degree in information science; I where they are needed. But for some Africana section at Egerton University also have a master of science in agricul- librarians, simply procuring resources and working closely with clients who tural information and communication is a daunting task. These librarians may had differing information needs. It was management. Information science is face a variety of obstacles—political satisfying to meet their needs and help applicable in any field or subject area— restrictions (see the preceding article them learn to perform searches on their the main focus is to understand user/ about libraries in Cuba), financial con- own, and it prompted me to think of client information needs. straints, and institutional neglect, to pursuing a master’s degree in the field. Some of my university courses name just a few. I’ve been a professional librarian for and work experience touched on Librarians in much of Africa are famil- eight years now. I left Egerton to become UN-HABITAT programs. For example, iar with these barriers, but SLA is help- a library consultant at UN-HABITAT, I helped UNEP, the United Nations ing raise their level of professionalism the United Nations Human Settlements Environment Program, and Microsoft by connecting them with colleagues and Program, in Nairobi. They advertised create a documentary on achiev- providing them with leadership oppor- for a library consultant in June of 2009, ing sustainable water sheds (www. tunities. One such librarian is Nerisa and I was given the job. Initially the research4life.org/casestudies_1_water- Kamar, who recently became president contract was for three months, then it sheds.html). I also participated in two of SLA’s Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter. was extended for six months. Later it related case studies, one titled OARE: Through her position at UN-HABITAT, was advertised for a position as assis- Improving the Lives of Marginalized Nerisa met Guy St. Clair, a former SLA tant librarian, and I got the job after a Communities, the other titled AGORA: president, and learned how to apply competitive interview. Unlocking the Farming Potential of Arid knowledge management concepts to her projects at work. Information Outlook interviewed Stuart Hales is senior writer/editor at SLA and editor of Nerisa late last year and asked her Information Outlook. about the challenges that librarians in Africa face, how SLA can help them, and what she hopes to learn during the next few years to move her career forward.

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 25 sla member interview

and Semi-arid Lands in Kenya. These slum in Africa. last year, Stephen Kizza, a librarian in were examples of how environmental I also help coordinate a partnership Uganda, wrote that there is “minimal resources have had a direct impact on of librarians who work at the United journal availability” in Uganda’s special local communities. Nations, the World Bank, and universi- libraries. He also stated that, while During my career, I have gained ties in Kenya. We conduct meetings most libraries in Uganda have comput- additional knowledge on environmental and workshops for capacity building ers, not all of them are connected to the sustainability that is applicable to my and share our expertise in information Internet. Are special libraries in Kenya current work. I am one of the African resources with the universities to sup- in similar condition, or are they gener- lead trainers in HINAGOA resources. port their research and teaching. ally better off? HINAGOA is a blend of three initia- I’m assigned to carry out and raise The Kenyan situation is similar to the tives: HINARI, the Health Internetwork awareness of knowledge management Ugandan situation. This is a common Access to Research Initiative; AGORA, initiatives undertaken at UN-HABITAT problem in Africa, and I can attribute it which stands for Access to Global in support of their new knowledge strat- to budgets and the general prioritization Online Research in Agriculture; and egy. I also select, acquire, process, of allocations of funds by governments. OARE, Online Access to Research in and disseminate information resources This has led to a lack of support infra- the Environment. In 2006, I organized a in print and non-print formats, and I structure, which is key to professional development. To meet information needs, special libraries have resorted to sharing articles from “free” online databases such as HINAGOA resources/databases (where access and utilization of e-journals are rated by per-capita income per coun- try). Most special libraries may not be aware of the availability of, and access rights to, these resources. Most special libraries, such as the J.D. Rockefeller Research Library at Egerton, supplement these free data- bases by acquiring offline CD-Rom- based resources such as The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL), whose content is available online through the AGORA database. Q: Are librarians and information profes- sionals well respected in Africa, and Nerisa Kamar in her office at UN-HABITAT headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. if not, what must happen for that to change? Yes and no—it depends on how indi- national training on HINAGOA resourc- maintain the UN-HABITAT collection in vidual librarians market themselves. es at Egerton University that was being the library. It’s extremely important for librarians run by ITOCA, the Information Outreach UN-HABITAT is currently undergoing to be proactive and dynamic in service Training Centre Africa. a restructuring of programs to projects, provision. Not only must they do good and my role in this process is to map work for their clients, they must engage Q: What are the primary duties of your available information resources to sup- in strategic learning, taking additional job at UN-HABITAT, and what are the port research in different projects of the courses in knowledge management, biggest challenges you face? programs, both at UN-HABITAT head- information communication technol- I support outreach programs, such as a quarters in Nairobi and field projects. ogy, leadership and management, and container project library. This is a pro- As in all specialized libraries, we similar subjects. At the same time, gram in collaboration with other stake- are challenged to balance user needs they must learn from each other, which holders, including the Kenya National and information collection requirements means they must work to improve the Library Services (KNLS), to take infor- against the increasing cost of resources national professional associations by mation support services to people in and ongoing budget restraints. strengthening their activities, whether the informal settlement areas. The pilot in Kenya or in any of the other sub- project is in Kibera Slums, the largest Q: In an article in Information Outlook Saharan African countries.

26 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 sla member interview

Equally important, specialist librar- targeting all UN-HABITAT projects. Our ians must seriously consider and join presentations so far have been very international professional associations. successful, and satisfying to me as For example, the Sub-Sahara Chapter an information and knowledge profes- of SLA is currently being revived. I am sional. the president this year, Edward Lodenyo Q: You have offered to help recruit new is the treasurer, and Raphael Euppa is SLA members in Africa. What do special the membership chair. Within the first librarians in Africa need that SLA can two weeks of the campaign to revive offer? the chapter, we heard from 35 librar- SLA is all-rounded; there is something ians who are interested in joining SLA. for everyone. There is the sharing of We will use the chapter to develop our articles that can be tailored to help own community of practice to ensure improve information provision in Africa; professional networking and collabora- the sharing of experiences through pre- tion in Africa. sentations; learning from other chap- Q: You’re affiliated with SMR Inter- ters and divisions of SLA about topics national, a consulting firm specializing for strategic learning, chapter program in knowledge strategy development. presentations and panel discussions; As 2012 president of SLA’s Sub-Sahara Chapter, Nerisa hopes to introduce many Why are you interested in knowledge and—most important of all—enabling of her colleagues in Africa to SLA. management, and what KM concepts African specialist librarians to keep up have you applied to your work? with the many changes taking place and knowledge services, prompted me My personal interest in knowledge man- in our profession. Through SLA, we to join the association. agement is very strong, because it is my can keep up with what’s current and As an SLA member, I hope to improve belief that KM and knowledge services what’s coming in the future with respect and revitalize the Sub-Saharan Chapter make up the foundation and substance to such topics as information man- by recruiting more members so that of modern librarianship. So it’s been agement, knowledge management, the they benefit from the shared knowledge a natural next step for me to have marketing of professional services (both of other information professionals and this informal relationship with SMR within and external to the organizations gain insights for professional growth. Africa, the unit of SMR that seeks to where we are employed), the measure- raise awareness about KM and knowl- ment of service delivery and return on Q: You traveled to Philadelphia last edge services for Africa. We have many investment, and much more. year for the SLA 2011 Annual Con- good conversations about how KM and Also, there are leadership opportuni- ference & INFO-EXPO. Was the confer- knowledge services can move forward ties and opportunities for service to the ence worth the trip, and what did you in Africa, and I’ve benefited from SMR’s larger profession, to share and to give enjoy the most? strategic learning programs, both here something back to our professional Yes, it was definitely worth the trip. I in Kenya and when I attended the SLA colleagues. As I mentioned before, I enrolled in two pre-conference knowl- Annual Conference last year. am now the president of SLA’s Sub- edge management courses on strategic The “SMR connection,” as you might Saharan Africa Chapter. I’m very hon- learning programs, and I spent time in call it, has been useful for me and my ored and humbled, and I’ll do my best the INFO-EXPO Hall watching demon- African colleagues in a number of ways. to bring us to a new “place” for special- strations of new technologies, software, One is personal knowledge manage- ized librarianship in Africa. and programs that support information ment, which occurs through information systems. I attended the First-Timers Q: When did you join SLA, and why? needs assessments and information Reception, where I got to meet the top I joined SLA in 2011. My KM mentor, alerts; another is knowledge sharing, by SLA leaders and talk about the Sub- Guy St. Clair of SMR, eats, sleeps, developing a rapport with information Saharan Chapter and our efforts to walks, talks, and dreams knowledge seekers to understand their actual infor- revitalize it. management, and he does it—almost mation needs and meet them. Then Also, it was my first trip to the United always—in terms of SLA and how its there’s knowledge services—creating States. I enjoyed every bit of the “cul- members can become strategic knowl- an awareness of e-resources to which ture shock” of seeing how Americans edge professionals for the organizations UN-HABITAT subscribes and sharing live in big cities. My American friends that employ them. basic access skills to use with these encouraged me to move forward with When I met Guy, he was consulting resources. As an example of this activ- my profession, and they introduced me for UN-HABITAT, and his history of SLA ity, I developed a 15-minute presenta- to some new friends. had just been published. His passion for tion, “E-resource Awareness and Basic SLA, and for knowledge management Continued on page 31 Search and Navigation Skills Training,”

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 27 Market share

newsletter, blog or Website at least a Creating and Executing month in advance and include updates as needed. a Marketing Plan Use word of mouth. Every interaction with a library user is an opportunity to mention the training and its benefits. Also consider broader announcements. Three steps—setting goals, then measuring and For example, if you attend departmental communicating the results—are all that are needed to meetings, provide details about upcom- conduct a basic marketing campaign for your library. ing trainings and explain why it is worth By Jill Strand, MLIS the time to attend. I work with lawyers who never want to spend time on any- thing that isn’t billable to a client. If I tell them that research training will help The start of a new year seems like an with dreaming big, the goals you select them save time and money on a client excellent time to create a measurable, should also be manageable, particularly project, that can be a plus. actionable marketing plan. Like any when set in the context of your other Use social media. Depending on your other business process, this involves goals for the year. Here are a few to firm’s culture and the nature of the asking yourself some basic questions: help get you thinking: training, it may be appropriate to use • What goals do you want to set that 1 increase foot traffic; Twitter to promote the training. For will help promote (and increase use 2. provide more training and/or example, Twitter seems like a great of) your library’s services? increase training attendance; medium for an academic library. In my firm, most of the training we provide • How will you achieve these goals? 3. respond to research requests is resource-specific, so I wouldn’t see • How will you measure the more quickly; anything wrong with tweeting about an success of your goals? 4. enhance your presence at key upcoming training to capture the atten- • How will you promote your departmental meetings; and tion of our younger attorneys. successes? 5. Develop greater awareness of, and Schedule calendar appointments. I am a huge fan of sending calendar Some of the ideas outlined below satisfaction with, library services. appointments (with all of the relevant should be enough to get you started. Once you’ve selected your top two details) about an upcoming training. But for true inspiration, I’d like to once or three marketing goals, take some The advantages of this approach are again call upon SLA members to share time to envision the steps that can help many: invitees receive the details about their answers to any or all of the ques- you achieve them. Following are steps where and when trainings will be held tions above so I can include some in my that could be taken to meet one of the and what they will cover, while the next column. And please don’t be afraid goals suggested previously—increasing trainer knows how many people are to share the ideas that didn’t work—we attendance at training. planning to attend and can determine learn as much (if not more) from failure Communicate early and often. Given equipment, space and food needs as from success. that everyone receives and retains mes- accordingly. This may not work in a sages differently, it makes sense to use larger organization, but it’s worth a try, Setting Your Goals every medium available and make sure particularly at the department level. There are a number of goals you could your messages have multiple opportuni- set, although conventional wisdom dic- ties to register with your audience. Measuring Your Success tates that you pick no more than two or Write it up. Get something about Numbers are easy to apply in the above three. And while there is nothing wrong training into a company/department example. But how do you measure

Jill Strand is director of the Information Resources Library at the law firm of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP in Minneapolis. An SLA Fellow, she is currently chair of the SLA 2013 Conference Advisory Council and professional develop- ment chair for the SLA Legal Division. She previously served as chair of the SLA 2011 Nominating Committee, president of the SLA Minnesota Chapter, and chair of the Public Relations Advisory Council and was a member of the 2011 Conference Advisory Council. She can be reached at [email protected].

28 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 Market share

the success of a goal like “developing to see if they need anything else. a few, outline what you are going to do greater awareness of, and satisfaction Survey your clients. If you have an about it or ask for suggestions. with, library services”? The answer is electronic method for collecting and You can refer back to the “Setting simple—you have to ask. Yes, the exe- responding to research requests, see if Your Goals” section for ideas on how cution may take a little more effort, but it also has a feature that will allow you to get the word out, but here are some it need not be complicated. to send out a short survey once the others: Collect spontaneous responses. If you request is filled. (IT departments often Report to leadership on the plan don’t already have a “kudos and com- have something like this, so see if there results. Include a summary of the plan pliments” folder in your e-mail, create is any way to piggy-back on their system and its results in your quarterly or one. Every time you receive a compli- or adapt it to your needs.) annual report. ment for a job well done, file it here. You can send small, targeted surveys Share a summary with library patrons. Our library tracks completed tasks in to specific groups (for example, to find If others see that colleagues or higher- a basic spreadsheet that includes a out whether they like a new e-resource) ups find the library useful to their busi- kudos column where we can cut and or a more comprehensive survey cover- ness, they’ll want to use it as well. paste comments, thus making them ing a wider range of library services. See Don’t be shy. I came across an anal- easy to include in annual reports or if you can get a vendor to donate an ogy recently about the value of outreach performance reviews. hour of free research time or conduct a and communication. It described a per- Ask at the point of delivery. While I trial of a special tool as a way to encour- son who wouldn’t do either as being like may not ask every time I deliver a spe- age participation. the half of a ticket stub that says “void cific case or statute section, I do try to if detached.” In other words, if you follow up with attorneys about larger, Communicating the Results aren’t able to talk proudly (which is not more complicated projects. In these If my writing this column wasn’t indica- necessarily the same as boasting) about cases, I try to catch them in person to tion enough, let me state unequivocally your own accomplishments, why should review what I’ve done and make sure that I am a big fan of blowing your own anyone else? And if they aren’t aware of it meets their needs. I may also send horn. So, if the results show you’ve been what you and your library can do, why an e-mail, catch them in the hall or successful in achieving your goals, let should they utilize your services? SLA stop by their office a few days later people know. If you’ve fallen short on

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 29 info tech

competency that would make you more Ten Ways to Make valuable to your current and prospec- tive employers. Develop it. Yourself Indispensable Maintain a visibly positive attitude while protecting your job. You aren’t the only one who’s stressed by the econo- Don’t wait too late to take steps that can my. If you see others handling it better, help you demonstrate your value now. model their behaviors. When things seem to pile up and you’re feeling stressed, take a deep breath and con- by Stephen Abram, MLS sider that this is better for your physical and mental health. It’ll also allow you to keep work relationships friendly and positive. Be the colleague people want You’ve probably noticed that there are What tactics can you use that will to have lunch or coffee with, not the some people who seem to survive every reduce your chances of being laid off one they’d rather avoid. Remember: It’s organizational restructuring. As for me, and help you minimize your period of far easier for decision makers to cut a I’ve been through too many to remem- unemployment if you are terminated? Negative Nellie. ber—survived some and didn’t make it Remember, this isn’t about protecting Become a Renaissance person. Yes, out the other side on others. By some the library, but about communicating this means taking on extra tasks or counts, there have been no fewer than your value as a librarian. That’s a big spending personal time working on 14 downturns in my professional career. difference! Here are the 10 tactics: events that can benefit the office cul- These swings in the economy have bur- Take ownership of all your responsi- ture—parties, birthdays, charity events, nished me and, ironically, made me bilities by seeing your role in the con- etc. Learn to do new things as other less dependent on employers for my text of the entire enterprise and com- people leave. You’ll gain new skills and self-worth or finances. munity. What would you increase as an increase your long-term value. You’ll I was inspired recently by an article activity, and what would you decrease? also gain a story about how well you from Black Enterprise (“10 ways to Employees who think strategically are learn and adapt that you can use for make yourself indispensable at work”) more valuable than one-trick ponies. interviews. that was shared with me. I’ve adapted Take personal responsibility for your Find an important, strategic task that its 10 points for library land, but the professional development and career you know how to do better and faster and original can be read without translation, preparedness. In difficult economic less expensively than anyone else. Ask too. As the article notes, barring situ- times, training and development bud- for a challenge and seek any training ations of collective bargaining (where gets are usually one of the first expens- and coaching. Don’t instantly look for the rules can be prescribed), there es to be reduced or eliminated, so you more pay or job description changes. are things you can do and should do must be proactive and not look to your Prove your value and success first, and precisely when you don’t need a job employer to prepare you for your next document that success. Be part of the right away: job or guide your career. You might solution and you’ll look like a star. As a have to invest your own dollars and corollary, reduce the time spent you’re • Make a plan. time in e-learning courses, training pro- seen doing clerical or tertiary tasks. grams, and association memberships • Assess your strengths. Don’t stick your head in the sand. and conferences, but the enterprise is Trying to hide or be invisible just makes • Define your value and, most impor- not your mother and bears no respon- you look valueless. Speak up and talk tantly, tend to your personal and sibility for your progress. Before you about your successes. Be excited about professional network. begin this process, think of a specific the opportunities available. Tell stories

Stephen Abram is a past president of SLA and is vice president of strategic partnerships and markets for Gale Cengage Learning. He is an SLA Fellow and the past president of the Ontario Library Association and the Canadian Library Association. In June 2003 he was awarded SLA’s John Cotton Dana Award; in 2009 he received the AIIP Roger Summit Award. He is the author of a book, Out Front with Stephen Abram and a blog, Stephen’s Lighthouse. This column contains Stephen’s personal perspectives and does not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of Gale Cengage Learning. Stephen would love to hear from you at [email protected].

30 INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 info tech about how you helped the organization value services to your company. It also SLA Member Interview make decisions and meet goals. Collect allows you to meet new contacts and Continued from page 27 and share testimonials. Encourage oth- increase your external network. Find Q: As you look ahead to the next 3-5 ers to tell key decision makers about cost-effective ways to do this through years, what skills and knowledge do your impact on their success. Seek distance education, SLA programs, and you hope to gain, and to what extent do recognition. conference attendance. Don’t try to find you think your membership in SLA will Excel in an area in which your boss the time, make the time. help you obtain them? is weak. You’re part of a team. If you’re Bonus: Don’t fall into the trap of I want to enhance my managerial and essential to the success of your boss a downward emotional spiral. Stay in leadership skills, both in the workplace or team, you’re safer. If your boss is touch with friends. Eat out with others. and as president of the Sub-Saharan visionary, be good at detail. If your boss Exercise; see a play or movie; have a Chapter. I want to become one of is great at numbers, be good at writing real life and seek balance. If you find the knowledge management experts the justification for them. If you’re a yourself getting negative or blue too in Kenya and share my expertise with technical or technology expert, comple- often, seek support from your network. professional colleagues and the engi- ment your team’s skills. Be the go-to You’ll be a better person for it and neers, scientists, and other employees person for something (library research thrive. at UN-HABITAT who are working for skills certainly offer you the opportunity Indispensability is a positioning in the sustainable development for the world’s for that positioning). mind of your organization about you as populations. Become an organizational star by an asset rather than a cost! It is based I plan to attend more SLA annual being a spokesperson at community on your skills and competencies, but conferences and to network and share events and professional association these alone are rarely sufficient. You with my fellow information professionals meetings. Tell the library’s stories and need the patina of stories, personal- in SLA and other library associations. I communicate the value of your orga- ity, experiences, and a network, plus a have attended several conferences and nization to those who can support you. legacy of good results. workshops regionally and locally as a Write and publish and be perceived Remember that you are protecting participant and paper presenter. One as an expert with unique and special your role as an information professional conference of significance was IFLA expertise. Become and be political and and librarian, not the library as a cost South Africa (2008), where I presented use your network to influence your center. You must play the game of a paper and commented on a draft con- future in a positive manner. Build social personal marketing and organizational stitution for the Government Information equity by doing the same for others. politics, and the only way to do that well and Official Publications section on Don’t hide in your organization—the is to practice it over time. behalf of developing countries. In that lack of visibility becomes a mountain to It never happens, and I mean never, same year, a book, Best Practices climb if you are set free. that a change, downturn, war, revolu- in Government Information: A Global Be an effective team player. Be tion, recession or depression doesn’t Perspective, was published, and I have independent internally, but always pres- open up new opportunities. The wise contributed a chapter titled “Factors ent a united front externally and support keep their eyes, ears and minds open Hindering Effective Management of your boss and the team. If you disagree and look to identify these new opportu- Government Information in Kenya.” with your boss, learn the correct, private nities. They emerge stronger and better I also have personal interests that way to provide feedback. (Your boss over the long run. SLA connect to the work I expect to do with isn’t inhuman and will appreciate your SLA. This is primarily through a chari- understanding and support.) Respect REFERENCES table organization I’ve started, the Kory your team and give the gift of emotional This issue’s column was inspired by 10 ways Foundation, which currently supports and work support. If you hear yourself to make yourself indispensable at work, Black 225 village girls by providing monthly sounding petty or small, stop. Keep the Enterprise. FindArticles.com. 20 Nov, 2011. sanitary pads. We also help youths big picture in mind and choose your COPYRIGHT 1993 Earl G. Graves Publishing from poor backgrounds take computer battles carefully. Don’t resist technologi- Co., Inc. COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group. courses by paying their tuition fee. The cal changes late in the process or at the other activity for the foundation is pro- point of implementation. Look for ways viding reading materials for the village to support successful implementations, schools. It is hoped that at some point not derail the change. the foundation will build a resource Invest in yourself and your career. center or library to bring all these activi- Taking training and development cours- ties under one roof. SLA es in your areas of expertise and in management is the best way to stay current in your field and provide added-

INFORMATION OUTLOOK V16 N01 January/February 2012 31 Coming events / ad index

Industry Events 15-18 July 2012

March 2012 SLA Annual Conference 20-22 & INFO-EXPO AIIM Conference Chicago, Illinois, USA Association for Information and Image Management San Francisco, Calif., USA webinars: 21-23 Computers in Libraries 2012 Ask the Copyright Experts: Spring Update Information Today Presenters: Adam Ayer, LicenseLogic; Frederic Haber, Copyright Washington, D.C., USA Clearance Center; Lesley Ellen Harris, CopyrightLaws.com; and Keith Can’t attend a live Webinar? Kupferschmid, Software & Information Industry Association MAY 2012 You can view Webinar Date: 14 March 2012 REPLAYS. These 90-minute 3-6 Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern time seminars from our Click AIIP Annual Conference Association of Independent Price: No charge for SLA members University programs were Information Professionals recorded as they occurred, This interactive session, which will be presented again in the fall in 2012, so you’ll get the complete Indianapolis, Ind., USA will explore recent developments in the copyright and licensing arena. The experience of the original 14 presentations and panel discussions always prove to be interesting and informative. Bring your questions! session. Visit www.sla.org/clicku Content Delivery Summit for more information. Information Today Who Should Attend: New York, N.Y., USA Information professionals around the world who oversee the use and sharing 14-17 of content (regardless of format) in highly collaborative environments. SCIP 2012 Society of Competitive Intelligence About the Presenters: Professionals Adam Ayer is president of LicenseLogic, which provides education about Philadelphia, Pa., USA copyrights and about rights granted within license agreements. He advises 18-23 organizations about their license agreements to help them determine the MLA 2012 proper “fit” for the organization, helping not only to bring the organization Medical Library Association into compliance but also to recognize cost avoidance opportunities arising Seattle, Wash., USA from unneeded content licenses. LicenseLogic, along with SLA and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), developed and JUNE 2012 markets the Certified Content Rights Manager seminar and exam. 3-7 Frederic Haber is vice president, secretary and general counsel of the Semantic Tech & Business Conference Copyright Clearance Center. He is responsible for all of CCC’s legal affairs, San Francisco, Calif., USA including the legal aspects of its copyright licensing business. He has 21-26 participated in the development of each of CCC’ s licensing programs and ALA Annual Conference counsels senior management in the development of new programs. American Library Association Lesley Ellen Harris of CopyrightLaws.com is a copyright, licensing and Anaheim, Calif., USA digital property lawyer who works on legal, business and strategic issues in the publishing, content, entertainment, Internet and information july 2012 industries. Lesley works with libraries, archives, museums and educational 15-18 institutions, as well as individuals, governments, associations, unions and SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO corporations. She is the author of several books, and develops and teaches ADVERTISING INDEX Special Libraries Association online courses on copyright, licensing and managing digital content issues. Chicago, Ill., USA She also writes a monthly column on copyright and licensing issues for Dow Jones ...... 15 SLA’s Information Outlook. 21-24 IEEE ...... C2 AALL 2012 Keith Kupferschmid is general counsel and senior vice president of New York Times...... C4 American Association of Law intellectual property policy and enforcement at the Software & Information San Jose State University. . . . 29 Libraries Industry Association (SIIA). He works directly with SIIA’s Intellectual Boston, Mass., USA Property Committee to establish the association’s positions and promote its agenda on issues related to intellectual property. Keith also supervises SLA Products and Services August 2012 SIIA’s anti-piracy programs. Prior to joining SIIA, Keith was an intellectual 11-17 property attorney at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he was SLA 2012 Conference...... 4 IFLA 2012 responsible for international and legislative patent and copyright issues. SLA Career Center...... 19 International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions SLA Click U Webinars...... 17 Helsinki, Finland SLA Membership...... 2

September 2012 10-12 R-Squared: The Risk and Reward Conference Telluride, Colo., USA october 2012 17-19 KMWorld 2012 Information Today Washington, D.C., USA

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