Announcing the ALA Federal and Armed Forces Librarians Round Table (FAFLRT) Logo Contest!

Attention all US Students:  A message from SLA in the US

 

Can you re-envision this logo design?!?  Put your creative energy to use and show off your talents!  Join in the national effort to create a new look for FAFLRT.   Things to consider for the FAFLRT logo:

Design:  We are looking for a design that represents federal librarians combined with information, networking, service, and global reach.  Please visit http://www.ala.org/faflrt for more information about FAFLRT.

Colors: The color scheme is open, but we're looking for a logo that will also reproduce well in black and white, online and in print.

Size: 2 in. high x 2 to 6 in. wide (the logo will be used for the web and in letterhead/print documents).

Format:  Submit two files for each logo, one in .EPS or .AI format, and the second in PDF.

Entry instructions and deadline:  Please submit your entries via e-mail to Anne Harrison at anha@loc.gov through March 31, 2014.  Anyone is welcome to participate.

The winning design will be selected by the FAFLRT Executive Board.  Entries cannot be returned, and the selected design will become property of FAFLRT.

Prize:  FAFLRT honor and glory and a $25.00 Amazon gift card.

Sci-Tech Division Membership Contest!

See below for a great opportunity to join the SLA from the Sci-Tech Division:

"Are you a Library/Information Science student interested in Sci-Tech Librarianship? Would you like to join the Special Libraries Association?

The Student Relations Committee (SRC) of the Sci-Tech Division of SLA is offering two FREE one-year memberships in SLA (includes affiliation with the Sci-Tech Division plus chapter affiliation of your choice)!

To apply, send your response to one of the following questions, along with your name, email, phone number, address, and the library/information science program in which you are enrolled to theaallen@gmail.com Please limit your responses to 300 words or less.

Deadline: December 17, 2012; Winners will be publicly announced January 4, 2013.

Choose from one of the following:

1) What is the biggest challenge that new science and technology librarians face? How could the Sci-Tech Division help new librarians to meet this challenge?

2) Tell us about a Sci-Tech focused experience or project that you have participated in, implemented, or learned about. How has this experience helped to prepare you for a career in Sci-Tech librarianship?

3) Describe a Sci-Tech librarianship focused event that you think your school would benefit from. 

Find out more: http://scitech.sla.org/student-relations-committee/
Other SLA Sci-Tech Division awards: http://scitech.sla.org/about-the-division/awards/"

Pharmaceutical & Health Technology Division SLA Conference Award

The Pharmaceutical & Health Technology Division (PHT) will award stipends of up to $1,500 for the SLA Annual Meeting (July 15-18, 2012 in Chicago, IL).

Details are provided below.

Special Libraries Association Annual Meeting Travel Awards
April 13, 2012 Deadline
SLA Annual Meeting
July 15-18, 2012 Chicago, IL

The Pharmaceutical & Health Technology Division will award stipends of up to $1,500 for the SLA Annual Meeting. This award will be paid up front to the selected recipient(s).

Entry Requirements:

For consideration of the SLA Annual Meeting Travel Award, the applicant must be at least one of the following:

• Students enrolled in a library science program and who express an interest in pursuing a career in corporate librarianship in the Pharmaceutical or Health Technology Industries (should be a PHT Division Student Member)
• Current professional PHT Division Members who are in need of travel assistance to attend the SLA Annual Meeting

Timeline:

• Qualified applicants must submit all requirements by: April 13, 2012
• Notifications for all applicants will be sent by: April 30, 2012

Submission Contact:

Please submit your application by April 13, 2012, to Rochelle L. Stern, MLIS rcls@novonordisk.com

All SLA Travel Awards are to be coordinated by the SLA PHT Student Relations Chair, and judged by the SLA PHT Board. For any additional questions or comments please contact Rochelle Stern, PHT Student Relations Chair (rcls@novonordisk.com/609-514-8360).

Submission Requirements:

1. Cover Page with Name & Contact Information
2. Updated Resume
3. Two Paragraphs (3-5 sentences each) on:
   • “Why I want to go to the SLA Annual Conference” (Everyone)
   • “Why am I interested in the PHT Division?” (Students only)
4. Short Answer Essay (1-2 pages) – Pick one of the topics on the below (see Short Answer Essay Topics) OR submit a similar piece of scholarly work (the winning essay will be published in SLA PHTD CapLits publication)

Tips for Short Essay:

• Be sure to demonstrate creative applications of technology, awareness of available resources, and in-depth analysis of current issues
• List all applicable references, sources, and analytical processes
• Be creative – teach us something we may not know
• The winning essay will be published in SLA PHTD CapLits publication so make a scholarly impression – use and list resources and your search criteria or processes to research and write the essay

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Short Answer Essay Topics (select one):

Future Forecasting
-Describe a future vision for corporate information profession. There has been a noticeable shift in corporate librarians delivering knowledge as opposed to information. Provide some concrete and conceptual ways this is occurring. What are some of the competency shifts librarians must make in order to deliver knowledge, and how should they accomplish this?
-Currently, we see corporate libraries losing budget or being cut altogether from an organization. The issue companies often provide is that it is unable to establish a clear value relationship between library services and the organization’s bottom line. What strategies and actions should corporate librarians employ to ensure value, and future sustainability?

Arguing the Value of Current and Future Librarianship
-Situation: You have encountered a conversation around the common corporate meeting area that proclaims information on the Internet alone provides all sufficient information on the latest research on Alzheimer’s drug therapy. As an information professional, you have an obligation to defend the competencies of the librarian, along with professional resources. Develop a convincing, but diplomatic, argument defending the thesis that the Internet alone is not enough, and would garner support for value-added corporate librarian services.
-Thesis: Information technology such as streaming and downloadable audio, video, and digital book technology, will displace the librarian. Defend this thesis and develop solutions or approaches for information professionals to work with these resources in order to complement value of emerging technologies.

Technology
-Users want to customize library deliverables, and therefore, the importance for libraries to develop their own proprietary applications (RSS feeds, widgets, etc) is increasing. Summarize deliverables that can be potentially customizable, and include some solid ideas based on current or upcoming software on how to plan for these customized tools.
-With the vast numbers of online health consumer information, the barrier of waiting for health information from a doctor has reduced; however, access to inaccurate, outdated, and irresponsible health information has increased. Research an instance where a health consumer(s) or a health professional(s) experienced this situation. Define how an informational professional would be able to intervene, and what kinds of programs and/or resources could be developed to impart credible health information to consumers, or to consumers via health professionals.

Business of Health/Medical Libraries
-What is the pathway for entry into the medical information profession? Interview PHT members or summarize sufficient attributes of three or more medical/health librarians. Make conclusions as to whether there is a typical trend pathway to the typical positions in the corporate medical world.
-Research life science corporations with medical information job postings in the past 2 years. What are the core competencies wanted for entry level / mid-level / veteran-level positions? What are the implications for information professionals in each of these three levels?
-Based on a listing of companies with known information professionals (contactrcls@novonordisk.com for the listing), compare and contrast the performance (stock market, percent revenue/profit growth, hiring trends) of these companies and those in the same sector without existing information professionals.
-Summarize library literature on success in the corporate library. How has it changed in the last twenty years? What are the keys to success today?

2012 Informart's SLA Toronto Student-to-Conference Award

Interested in attending the SLA Annual Conference in Chicago? Then read on...

SLA Toronto has once again partnered with Infomart to establish the SLA Toronto Infomart Student-to-Conference Awards. With Infomart's generous support, 2 students will be chosen to each receive a $1,500 grant to attend the SLA Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois from July 15-18, 2012.

The SLA Conference is the one time a year when members gather from around the world. This annual event is an exemplary opportunity to learn, connect, and cultivate one's career in the information profession. "The SLA Toronto Chapter is immensely grateful to partner with Infomart in giving these grants to deserving students who are the future of the special libraries profession. Attending the conference provides an invaluable experience for these future leaders.", says Laura Warner, 2012 SLA Toronto Chapter President.

Infomart is Canada's leading media intelligence agency with more than 25 years of delivering media monitoring and research solutions to Canada's best-informed institutions. Covering print, social media platforms, radio, television, and online news, Infomart gives you the intelligence you need to optimize your media strategies, saving time, saving money, and fueling more effective and efficient media-related decisions that contribute to your bottom line. At the end of the day, Infomart helps Canadian companies, agencies, and organizations drive bottom-line efficiencies by providing fast, relevant and accurate media monitoring, research, and reporting solutions.

Two students will be selected to receive this award by the SLA Toronto Executive Board. Applicants must be willing to serve on the Executive or Advisory Board of the Toronto Chapter in the 2013 Chapter year, and the essays of the award recipients will be published in The Courier, SLA Toronto's newsletter.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited library or information science program during the 2011/12 academic school year and be interested in a career in special librarianship.
• The chosen recipients may not accept a travel award for the 2012 conference from any other SLA Division or Chapter.
• The chosen recipients must serve on the SLA Toronto Chapter Executive or Advisory Boards in the 2013 Chapter year.
• The chosen recipients must attend the SLA Conference in Chicago, Illinois from July 15-18, 2012 - The chosen recipients must submit a copy of their conference registration, travel and accommodation receipts, and all other relevant receipts pertaining to conference attendance to the Awards Chair (Claire Lysnes) in order to receive the grant, which will be reimbursed following the conference.
• Prior to receiving the grant, the chosen recipients must attend a breakfast with representatives of Award sponsor, Infomart; Chapter Executive Board members; and the Awards Chair, Claire Lysnes, at a time convenient to the award sponsor.

Application Procedures

• Applicants must prepare a written statement, in English, of up to 500 words on what they hope to gain from the conference experience.
• Applicants must also provide a current résumé along with up to three references.
• Applicants should submit these documents, along with their address, telephone number, and email address no later than April 9, 2012 at 5pm to Awards Chair, Claire Lysnes (clysnes[at]gmail.com).

The chosen recipients will be notified during the week of April 23, 2012. Questions can be directed to Awards Chair, Claire Lysnes at clysnes[at]gmail.com

Student Stipend Awards for the 2012 SLA Annual Conference

This just in from the Business and Finance Division of the SLA...

The Special Libraries Association Business and Finance Division is offering student stipend awards to help cover expenses at the 2012 SLA Annual Conference in Chicago from July 15-18, 2012.

The Division will award student stipends and professional grants for a total of up to six $1,500 awards.The direct URL for the Student Stipend announcement and application can be found here.

Please note that applicants should be members of the SLA Business & Finance Division by March 1, 2012 to be eligible for consideration. Students can join online at the following website: http://www.sla.org/content/membership/joinsla/index.cfm

Student membership in SLA is only $40.00. Students will need to apply prior to March 1st, in order for SLA staff to have time to process their application.

Information about the SLA Business and Finance Division can be found at: http://units.sla.org/division/dbf/

The conference theme is "Practicing Agility in an Open World Economy”. Participation in the programs, opportunities for networking, exposure to new information products and possible job leads at the employment clearinghouse will make this conference a valuable experience for students.

SLA Toronto/FIAA/T-SLIS Joint Holiday Social and a Travel Stipend Award

The semester is winding down, the holidays are coming and that means it is time to celebrate!

For those who will be joining us at the SLA Toronto/FIAA/T-SLIS Joint Holiday Social on Tuesday, December 13 (that's tomorrow!), a group of us will be meeting in the lobby at Bissel at 5:30pm before heading over together.

If you will be travelling to the event by yourself, please visit the event page for details.

Just a note: Registration for the event is now closed.

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Finally, we would like to draw your attention to the following information about a great opportunity for current students! The SLA's Sci-Tech Division is currently accepting self-nominations for the Kirk Cabeen Travel Stipend Award. This award is valued at $750 and is to be used toward expenses for attending the SLA Annual Conference in Chicago, July 15-18, 2012.

However, please note that you need to be a member of SLA in order to apply for this award. If you purchase a student membership by December 15, 2011 and enter the promo code: SLA Toronto Student Group, you will be entered into a draw for a flip video camera. Please click on the following link to register for a membership: http://www.regonline.com/joinsla.

Stipend details follow:


DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: March 1, 2012

SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY DIVISION 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 Chicago, Illinois, July 15-18, 2012.

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, 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 2012 Annual Conference: “Practicing Agility in an Open World Economy” 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, 2012

Nominations and all accompanying materials should be sent to Sheila Rosenthal, Chair of the Sci-Tech Division Awards Committee, at the following email address: slr@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 2012 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 2012. 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 and Awards Breakfast.

The SLA-TSG wishes the best of luck to all who apply!

SLA Student Membership Contest

If you are thinking of joining the SLA as a student member, now would be a great time to do so! If you apply for your SLA student membership by December 15, 2011, your name will be placed in a draw to win a free flip video camcorder .

Here’s how:

- Join through the special drawing application link at www.regonline.com/joinsla to become eligible to enter into a drawing to win a flip video camcorder.
- Enter the name of your student group as the promo code (SLA Toronto Student Group). Failure to use the appropriate drawing application link and failure to omit the student group name as the promo code will lead to ineligibility.
- Join SLA by December 15, 2011 so you and your student group will be eligible to win a prize. Winners are based on applicants received by December 15th.

Good luck!

Stipend Alert - Extended Deadline!

SLA's Environment & Resource Management Division Student Award Deadline is extended to May 1, 2011 

The ERMD Student Award recognizes a student who is especially interested in pursuing a career as an information professional dealing with environment and resource management issues. The award is $500.00, plus a $750 reimbursement award if the student comes to the SLA annual meeting in Philadelphia. The student must be enrolled in an ALA accredited master's degree program. This award is meant to promote both current and future involvement in and commitment to the library and information science profession prior to, during, and after the master's program. 

To be considered for the award, a student must be an SLA member and write a 300-500 word essay describing his or her interest in the issues facing information professionals in the environment and natural resources fields. Essays should be labeled with the student's name, contact information, and educational institution. Deadline for receiving submissions is May 1, 2011. Please send submissions via email to Liz Wallach at lwallach@bna.com. 

The award will be presented at the SLA Annual Conference in June. The winner is encouraged, but not required, to attend the annual conference. 

Questions? 

Contact Liz Wallach, Chair, Environment & Resource Management Division at lwallach@bna.com 

email for essay submission: lwallach@bna.com

More Stipend Announcements!

If you are thinking about attending the Annual SLA Conference, here are some more award and stipend opportunities for you!


**Special Libraries Association Engineering Division**

$1500 Inspec Travel Stipend Award - Call for Applications:

Award to attend the SLA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, 15 June 2011

Inspec is sponsoring for library school students the award of a $1500.00 travel stipend toward payment of expenses incurred while attending the annual Special Libraries Association conference in Philadelphia, PA, June 1215, 2011.

The Inspec Travel Stipend Award will be given to the qualified student who submits an essay of three or less double spaced typed pages that is judged to be the best essay submitted describing the following scenario:

"What is your vision of an Engineering Library in the year 2020. Describe the mission, services, collection, resources, staffing, location, etc."

Qualifications for Award Competition:

- Be a student member of the Engineering Division of the Special Libraries Association
- Special Instructions:

1. Give your full name, address, telephone number, e mail address, and a statement, on one page, of your qualifications, as given above, for entering the award competition. Include the name of your library school.

2. Type your full name (without any additional personal information) at the top of each essay page. Double space the typing on all pages.

Deadline for Submission: February 9, 2011.

Submit Entries for the award to:

Bette Finn, SLA Engineering Division Awards Committee
Georgia Tech Library and Information Center
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia 30332 0900
Phone: (404) 894 1790 Fax: (404) 894 8190

E mail: bette.finn@library.gatech.edu


**2011 Marion E. Sparks Award for Professional Development**

The Chemistry Division of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) is sponsoring a student/new member travel award to defray the costs of attending the 2011 SLA Annual Meeting June 12-15 in Philadelphia, PA. The award is intended to encourage the professional development of student members and new members of the Chemistry Division and encourage their participation in Chemistry Division activities.

TRAVEL AWARD: $1,500 stipend to attend the 2011 SLA Annual Conference. The winner will also receive a certificate of achievement and will be introduced at the Chemistry Division Business Meeting & Breakfast.

ELIGIBILITY: All student members of the SLA Chemistry Division and all new members of the SLA Chemistry Division (individuals who have joined since January 2010) are eligible. All applicants must have joined the SLA Chemistry Division by February 15, 2011 . See below for how to join.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please submit the following:

- A brief essay that: a) clearly articulates your objectives for professional development; and b) indicates what you hope to gain from attending the SLA Annual Meeting. Maximum length: 2 pages.

- Resume

- Names of two references.

- Brief budget (expected expenses for registration, airfare, lodging, food and/or continuing education course).

Registration in a Chemistry Division or other Continuing Education (CE) course is recommended, but not required.

DEADLINE: All applications for the award must be received by March 1, 2011 ( all applicants must have joined the SLA Chemistry Division by February 15, 2011) . The winner will be notified March 18, 2011 . Essays will be judged by the SLA Chemistry Division Awards Committee.

HISTORY: The award is named to honor Marion E. Sparks, a chemistry librarian at the University of Illinois from 1913 until her death in 1929. Ms. Sparks contributed a great deal to the field of chemical information, her achievements include teaching courses on chemical information, and authoring and publishing what is argued to be the first book to formally address chemical literature and library instruction.

SUBMIT APPLICATION VIA EMAIL TO:

Cory Craig
University of California, Davis
Physical Sciences & Engineering Library
One Shields Avenue
Davis, California 95616-8676
cjcraig@ucdavis.edu

Good luck!

-ZC

Stipend Alerts!

Each year, the Special Library Association hosts its annual conference in a dynamic city somewhere in North America. This year the conference will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from June 12-15. The SLA offers great rates for student members (only $175!) and the conferences are known to be not only an amazing networking opportunity and learning experience, but also a really fun time!

There are several awards and stipends made available to students each year to assist them with the cost of the conference, as well as travel and accommodations. We have two such stipends to bring to your attention:

**SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY DIVISION 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 Philadelphia, PA. USA, June 12-15, 2011.

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, 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 2011 Annual Conference: “Future Ready” 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, 2011

Nominations and all accompanying materials should be sent to Sheila Rosenthal, Chair of the Sci-Tech Division Awards Committee, at the following email address: slr@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 2011 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 2011. 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

**BUSINESS & FINANCE DIVISION AWARD**

Thinking about attending the SLA conference and wondering how you can do it?

The Business & Finance Division of SLA is offering student stipend awards and professional grants to help cover expenses at the 2011 SLA Annual Conference in Philadelphia PA, June 12-15 2011. The Division will award student stipends and professional grants for a total of up to six $1,500 awards.

For information about this award go to:

http://units.sla.org/division/dbf/awards/

Attending the annual conference would be an amazing experience for any budding information professional - be sure to apply for these grants!

-ZC

Contest Alert!

Are you a dedicated member of the Twitterverse? If so, this contest could be of great interest to you!  Check it out!

Attention Library & Information Science Students - SLA's Legal Division Wants You to Get Your Tweet On!

The Special Libraries Association's Legal Division is sponsoring a Twitter contest. In 140 characters or less, including the mention @SLALegal, tell us either why you have interest in becoming a law librarian or your interest in becoming the ruler of the legal research domain. Be creative! Be funny! Just don't disrespect, or you'll be disqualified. The judges will select one winner from all qualified entries. The winner not only receives bragging rights, but a one-year SLA Student Membership, new or renewal. A qualified entrant is enrolled in a curriculum of library or information science at least part time (two or more courses). 

Contest runs November 1-30, 2010. Read the full rules here.