Hi everyone,
The SLA will be having a general meeting on Monday February 27th at 12pm in the 7th floor student lounge.
Please feel free to come and give us your feedback about recent SLA events.
We'll also be discussing upcoming library tours and professional development events for March.
Hope to see you there!
Showing posts with label february. Show all posts
Showing posts with label february. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
SLA-TSG February Meeting - Feb 27th, 2012
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Media Commons Lecture & Cold Storage Tour a success
Last week, the SLA-TSG hosted a tour of the Robarts Library Media Commons and Cold Storage Facility. While the Media Commons and its holdings are open to the public, to researchers, students, and faculty, the Cold Storage Facility is restricted to Media Commons staff. Apart from those who work at the Media Commons and/or have studied with Brock Silversides, few people appear know of the facility's existence. But more on that later...
The third SLA-TSG tour of 2008/2009 began in the Media Commons, where we were treated to a candid and insightful discussion by Brock Silversides, Department Head and AV/Media Specialist. Throughout the evening, Brock discussed the digitization of non-textual documents, Media collections development, long-term storage methods required for AV materials, and the importance of capturing and archiving our ephemeral day-to-day pop culture.
In this informal, yet informative session, students were able to ask questions and address issues outside the scope of traditional library practice (and instruction, for that matter). All in all, the lecture/Q&A was a real eye-opener, and a fabulous introduction to the field of Special Media Collections Development and Preservation.
Following the discussion, Brock treated us to a 'Behind the Scenes' tour of the Media Commons, and showed us the equipment room. Reel-to-reel machines, beta (yes, BETA) and VHS players, CD-rom and DVD burners, and a host of equipment that I had never seen before was explained to us by the resident AV technician, aka McGyver.
Next, we proceeded to the Cold Storage Facility, where materials once belonging to Lions Gate Films, Alliance Atlantis, and several record labels are kept on ice (ok, not really on 'ice', but chilled to 5c). The facility is over 5,000 sq feet -- it's size rivals vaults belonging to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Library & Archives Canada (Gatineau) -- and utilizes 15 different chillers as it preserves films, videos, audio tapes, photographs and paper memorabilia. During the tour, preservation measures and logistics were discussed; AV materials are fragile, and not 'built to last', which is why special treatment and care is required.
For those students who might be interested: the iSchool summer session course, Special Topics in Information Studies: Managing Audio Visual Material runs the duration of the term and is taught by Brock Silversides. Be warned, it fills up VERY fast and is one of the highly coveted, 'waiting-list' courses.
--Carolyn
The third SLA-TSG tour of 2008/2009 began in the Media Commons, where we were treated to a candid and insightful discussion by Brock Silversides, Department Head and AV/Media Specialist. Throughout the evening, Brock discussed the digitization of non-textual documents, Media collections development, long-term storage methods required for AV materials, and the importance of capturing and archiving our ephemeral day-to-day pop culture.
In this informal, yet informative session, students were able to ask questions and address issues outside the scope of traditional library practice (and instruction, for that matter). All in all, the lecture/Q&A was a real eye-opener, and a fabulous introduction to the field of Special Media Collections Development and Preservation.
Following the discussion, Brock treated us to a 'Behind the Scenes' tour of the Media Commons, and showed us the equipment room. Reel-to-reel machines, beta (yes, BETA) and VHS players, CD-rom and DVD burners, and a host of equipment that I had never seen before was explained to us by the resident AV technician, aka McGyver.
Next, we proceeded to the Cold Storage Facility, where materials once belonging to Lions Gate Films, Alliance Atlantis, and several record labels are kept on ice (ok, not really on 'ice', but chilled to 5c). The facility is over 5,000 sq feet -- it's size rivals vaults belonging to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Library & Archives Canada (Gatineau) -- and utilizes 15 different chillers as it preserves films, videos, audio tapes, photographs and paper memorabilia. During the tour, preservation measures and logistics were discussed; AV materials are fragile, and not 'built to last', which is why special treatment and care is required.
For those students who might be interested: the iSchool summer session course, Special Topics in Information Studies: Managing Audio Visual Material runs the duration of the term and is taught by Brock Silversides. Be warned, it fills up VERY fast and is one of the highly coveted, 'waiting-list' courses.
--Carolyn
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
SLA Science & Technology division: S. Kirk Cabeen travel stipend award
SLA SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY DIVISION:
S. KIRK CABEEN TRAVEL STIPEND AWARD
S. KIRK CABEEN TRAVEL STIPEND AWARD
The S. Kirk Cabeen Travel Stipend Award is offered to a library school student or first time conference attendee. This $750 award is to be used toward expenses of attending the SLA Annual Conference in Washington, DC, USA June 2009.
QUALIFICATIONS: Be a library school student or first time attendee; be a current member of SLA, preference going to Science-Technology Division members; if NOT a student, then must be attending his or her first SLA conference.
NOMINATIONS: Self-nominations are encouraged.
Send a typed and signed document including complete title, name of Library School and anticipated graduation date, employer, and all professional and personal contact information.
All nominations must also include the following:
A short essay (500 words or less) on the theme of the 2009 Annual Conference:
"Information to Inspiration: Knowledge & Vision Shaping the Future."
The essay should be double-spaced. Neatness, spelling and grammar will count in judging. Supporting documentation must include a current curriculum vita OR resume for the candidate, significant publications, supporting letters, etc.
Applications should also mention if you are currently applying for other SLA division awards.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: March 1, 2009. Nominations and all accompanying materials should be sent to Sheila Rosenthal, Chair of the Sci-Tech Division Awards Committee, at the following email address: (substitute the "AT" for @)
slr AT sei.cmu.edu
POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS:
1. Recipient (s) will write a brief article (approximately 1,000 words) on the conference experience for the November 2008 Sci-Tech News.
2. Recipient (s) will be asked to serve on the Science-Technology Division Awards Committee in the following year to provide for the continuity and enthusiasm of the awards.
NOTIFICATION:
1. Applicants will receive notification of award status by mid March 2009. The award checks will be sent to the recipient as soon as the receipts are received by the Awards Chairperson.
2. The recipients' names will be posted to the Science-Technology Division's Web site.
3. The award will be announced and presented to the recipient at the Science-Technology Division's Annual Business meeting/breakfast.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Professional Profile: Sonia Solomon - Merrill Lynch Canada
Question: How did you get your start in the information profession?
A friend of mine was studying for a library technician program and I occasionally helped with doing research for her homework. After becoming more and more interested in library and information work, I decided to enrol at the graduate library program at the University of Toronto. Sonia’s first work experience in the field was a summer position at the Legislative Library of Ontario.
Question: Please describe your current position.
I work as the Vice-President of the Corporate Library at Merrill Lynch Canada. I started at Midland Doherty shortly after graduation. After a couple takeovers, the company is now called Merrill Lynch Canada. Merrill Lynch was recently acquired by Bank of America. The Corporate Library is focused on serving internal clients – providing our staff with research to help them in their work, rather than the general public. The subject matter can range from Canada’s oil industry to questions on aerospace – anything Merrill Lynch is involved in can involve the Library.
One of the interesting challenges involves taking the time to learn the information needs of different offices and staff. We’ve supported brokers, marketing staff, the human resources department, and client development. You have to find the right thing for your client - there’s no one size fits all service here. Further, I represent the corporate library to others at the company. It is important to be out there and meet people – you have to create a lot of your own opportunities. I also work with other information professionals who work at Merrill Lynch’s offices across Canada (e.g. Edmonton and Montreal) and the world (e.g. London). For example, when the New York office went down on September 11, 2001, the Toronto office played a major role in supporting Merrill Lynch staff in the United States. We support and collaborate with each other to provide the best service to our clients, even though most of our day to day operations are independent.
Question: What advice do you have for new graduates?
Much of the library education I was familiar with was very focused on the public sector environment. If you wish to work in the private sector, address this by taking time to learn more about business; learn something about finance, sales and even communications. In this field, it helps a great deal to be interested and understand as much as you can of the firm’s business. Clients are not interested in cataloguing standards – they want quality service and help meeting their information needs. Many times the requests are challenging and can be difficult. My role is to provide the client with the materials they need to do their job. Delivering good results is the key to client satisfaction.
Finally, no matter where you are, you have to be curious and open to opportunities. In this field, you need to be prepared to wear a lot of hats. Roles evolve, new technologies emerge and it is vital to stay informed about changing trends. I wouldn’t trade this for the world – I find this profession to be fascinating!
Question: Can you comment on the role that the Special Libraries Association (SLA) has played in your career:
SLA, professional organizations and networking are very important. The experience and knowledge of others is invaluable at all stages of a career. In the early years of my career, I found that SLA was critical, to meeting others in the profession. Courses and meetings were a font of excellent information and insight. As time went on, and I became more experienced, I still valued the insight of others. Bouncing ideas off of others can be very helpful because working in a corporate setting you are usually the only person in the company doing the work that you do. The information specialists at Merrill Lynch who work in our offices around the world are important to us in that they support us in our reference work, providing information that we may not have available to us locally, and we have a forum to bounce ideas and strategies that we face in our business.
Contact: sonia UNDERSCORE solomon AT ml DOT com
-Interview conducted by Bruce Harpham
A friend of mine was studying for a library technician program and I occasionally helped with doing research for her homework. After becoming more and more interested in library and information work, I decided to enrol at the graduate library program at the University of Toronto. Sonia’s first work experience in the field was a summer position at the Legislative Library of Ontario.
Question: Please describe your current position.
I work as the Vice-President of the Corporate Library at Merrill Lynch Canada. I started at Midland Doherty shortly after graduation. After a couple takeovers, the company is now called Merrill Lynch Canada. Merrill Lynch was recently acquired by Bank of America. The Corporate Library is focused on serving internal clients – providing our staff with research to help them in their work, rather than the general public. The subject matter can range from Canada’s oil industry to questions on aerospace – anything Merrill Lynch is involved in can involve the Library.
One of the interesting challenges involves taking the time to learn the information needs of different offices and staff. We’ve supported brokers, marketing staff, the human resources department, and client development. You have to find the right thing for your client - there’s no one size fits all service here. Further, I represent the corporate library to others at the company. It is important to be out there and meet people – you have to create a lot of your own opportunities. I also work with other information professionals who work at Merrill Lynch’s offices across Canada (e.g. Edmonton and Montreal) and the world (e.g. London). For example, when the New York office went down on September 11, 2001, the Toronto office played a major role in supporting Merrill Lynch staff in the United States. We support and collaborate with each other to provide the best service to our clients, even though most of our day to day operations are independent.
Question: What advice do you have for new graduates?
Much of the library education I was familiar with was very focused on the public sector environment. If you wish to work in the private sector, address this by taking time to learn more about business; learn something about finance, sales and even communications. In this field, it helps a great deal to be interested and understand as much as you can of the firm’s business. Clients are not interested in cataloguing standards – they want quality service and help meeting their information needs. Many times the requests are challenging and can be difficult. My role is to provide the client with the materials they need to do their job. Delivering good results is the key to client satisfaction.
Finally, no matter where you are, you have to be curious and open to opportunities. In this field, you need to be prepared to wear a lot of hats. Roles evolve, new technologies emerge and it is vital to stay informed about changing trends. I wouldn’t trade this for the world – I find this profession to be fascinating!
Question: Can you comment on the role that the Special Libraries Association (SLA) has played in your career:
SLA, professional organizations and networking are very important. The experience and knowledge of others is invaluable at all stages of a career. In the early years of my career, I found that SLA was critical, to meeting others in the profession. Courses and meetings were a font of excellent information and insight. As time went on, and I became more experienced, I still valued the insight of others. Bouncing ideas off of others can be very helpful because working in a corporate setting you are usually the only person in the company doing the work that you do. The information specialists at Merrill Lynch who work in our offices around the world are important to us in that they support us in our reference work, providing information that we may not have available to us locally, and we have a forum to bounce ideas and strategies that we face in our business.
Contact: sonia UNDERSCORE solomon AT ml DOT com
-Interview conducted by Bruce Harpham
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