DC/SLA Chapter Notes - February 2003

President’s Corner: Leadership

By Anne Caputo, DC/SLA President, anne.caputo@factiva.com By the time you read this message the Winter Meeting of our association will have ended. I can’t accurately predict the outcome of this event, but I can confidently predict that it will have centered around the theme of leadership within SLA. Much has been said about our living in a time of transition, and indeed the ‘interesting times’ of the legendary curse are a reality for us. We have approved a new and streamlined set of by-laws for SLA and now we are asked to take up the task of adopting a new and simpler set of by-laws for our chapter. These by-laws will be fleshed out by a set of operating procedures that will more closely define our daily chapter business.

The Winter Meeting will also take up consideration of SLA’s mission statement and our strategic positioning, we will consider branding, get an update on the search for a new Executive Director, and look forward to new elections for the presidency of SLA and other leadership positions. These brief summaries represent the intense and difficult work of dozens of people, and enacting their recommendations will require work from many dozens more.

In light of all this focus on leadership, I’d like you to give consideration to the following, •

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Consider running for office in DC/SLA. Dave Shumaker (dshumake@mitre.org) is the chair of the nominating committee. Self nomination is encouraged, as is nomination of others. We are one of the last SLA chapters to continue holding contested elections at the chapter level. This means we need at least two nominations for the office of 1st Vice President, President-Elect, 2nd Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, and Director. The Chapter Manual found on our website gives more detailed descriptions of these offices.

Examine the roster of those in our chapter running for national office, and support them if you can. Lynn McCay, candidate for Director and Buzzy Basch, candidate for Treasurer, are both members of our chapter.

If you don’t want to run for office, get involved in one of our committees. Myriad opportunities exist, both large and small, for those interested in one of the committee tasks.

Help us review the new suggested by-laws format for the chapter and give us your feedback on whether we should continue to hold contested elections for chapter office, have the array of chapter officers we currently have and other important changes in the way we operate.

Vote in our chapter elections when they appear in the next few weeks

One of the benefits of a professional association is that it allows us to practice our leadership skills. This valuable experience can help us in our work lives and in other leadership opportunities. We can learn more about the management process make key contacts and have fun! A particular pleasure for me is to watch members enter our profession and also enter the ranks of SLA leadership. You can be one too.

February 2003 Volume 62 No. 2 http://www.sla.org/chapter/cdc

Inside this issue: President’s Corner

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Member News

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Traumas and Perils of Professional Life

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Get Listed in the WALD!

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69th IFLA Council and General Conference

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Research Tip of the Month 6 Information Resources & Technology

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Legal Research Institutes

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Welcome New Members!

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Special points of interest: • • • •

A chance to submit articles for a new column.

Revisit HotBot. Welcome to 10 new members.

Check out the new products and services from: EBSCO InfoCurrent Dialog Capcon Library Associates

Check us out on the Web http://www.sla.org/chapter/cdc/

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | February 2003

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Special Libraries Association assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by the contributors to SLA’s publications. Editorial views do not necessarily represent the official views of SLA. Acceptance of advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product by SLA. Subscriptions: Chapter Notes is free to DC/SLA members. Subscriptions to non-members are available at $10 per year.

Advertising: Advertising rates effective September 1997 are: $95—1/4 page; $175—1/2 page; $290—full page.

For information regarding advertisements, contact the DC/SLA Chapter Notes Business Manager: Kelley Weber, Surface Transportation Board Phone: 202-565-1668 Email: weberk@stb.dot.gov EDITOR’S NOTE: Monday, February 17th is the deadline for materials which can be included in the March 2003 issue.

The issue is distributed approximately three weeks after the deadline. The preferred submission format is a Word document sent via email.

Materials for Chapter Notes should be sent to the Editor: Cynthia Holt The Gelman Library George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington, DC 20052 Phone: 202-994-1352 Email: holt@gwu.edu Event announcements should also be submitted electronically to the: Listserv Moderator: Kelley Weber, Surface Transportation Board Phone: 202-565-1668 Email: weberk@stb.dot.gov

Member News Congratulations to Liz Farley, DC SLA member and volunteer whose baby girl was born on December 29th (6 pounds 10 oz)! Hannah Daisy Cunningham is an extremely beautiful and welcome baby!!

Chris Olson’s article, "What's In It for Them? Communicating the Value of Information Services" was published in the November issue of Information Outlook. Chris will be leading a workshop on March 14th for the Academic & Research Libraries Division (ARLD) of the Maryland Library Association at the Anne Arundel Community College, outside of Annapolis, Maryland. Chris’ presentation, titled "Beyond Pretty Pictures and Prayers: Effective Library Promotion Campaigns", will identify considerations, strategies and activities which form the foundation of successful promotion & public relations campaigns. Workshop participants will put their newfound knowledge to work by outlining campaigns for different, typical library marketing opportunities. Additional information is available on Chris’ web site (http:// www.ChrisOlson.com) and the ARLD site. (http://www.mdlib.org/ divisions/arld/programs/arld_program_3-28-03.htm) Ceceile Kay Richter prepared a study that was the subject of an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in October 2002 in the case of United States of America v. Navajo Nation, Docket 01-1375. Ceceile conducted a 19-year review of the disposition by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims of suits involving identifiable Native American entities and individuals and presented her research in table form. She was hired as an independent researcher by the Tribal Supreme Court Project of the Native American Rights Fund and the National Congress of American Indians. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, represented by the venerable Native American-rights law firm of Hobbs, Strauss, Dean & Walker, presented conclusions they drew from the study in their brief in support of the Navajo Nation. They found that of 108 claims brought under the Tucker Act (28 U. S.C. Sec. 1491) or Indian Tucker Act (28 U.S.C. Sec. 1505), monetary damages were awarded in only 37 cases and that in only 11 of those cases was the award more than $1 million. Ceceile's study is attached to the brief as an appendix. Ceceile, who calls herself an informationist, is the sole proprietor of her own independent research firm, The ResearchSource for Hard-toFind Information. The attorneys asked Ceceile to briefly describe her credentials on the title page of the study and Ceceile answered the call by identifying herself as "A Member of The Association of Independent Information Professions, The Law Librarians' Society of Washington DC, and The Special Libraries Association, Legal Division." (Sorry that I didn't have room to mention the Washington DC chapter.)

DC/SLA Internet Committee: Frederik Heller Phone: 202-383-1157 Email: fheller@realtors.org

Traumas and Perils of Professional Life: Dressing For Work Dilemmas

Send address changes for Chapter Notes to:

Coming to work is not that traumatic. Each day I learn how to catalog better and better. New materials come across my desk challenging me to learn a variety things. Being asked to speak on a topic is not that traumatic. I have been "lucky" enough to have given enough speeches that I am no longer frightened by the onset of stage fright. I still get stage fright, of course, its just that I know to expect to be nervous and shaking; feeling light headed and faint is standard now. Most people think I talk normally with that quavering sound.

SLA Headquarters ATTN: Address/Name Changes 1700 18th Street NW Washington, DC 20009-2508

Submitted by Suzanne Pilsk, PilskS@si.edu

The real issue - the truly traumatic experience as a professional? What to wear to work?!?!

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DC/SLA Chapter Notes | February 2003

It is horrible. Each night before bed, I silence everyone when the weather comes on the FOX 5 News. I plot and plan drycleaning trips and laundry “flips” from washer to dryer trying to get the right things done in time. But why? I sit in a cubicle and catalog. I do not see the public. I do not have any kind of interaction with the public. Even for conferences -- the dress code is, well, basically casual. Everyone is wearing clothing out of a suitcase and has sneakers on since they walk the exhibition floors over and over. Not to mention exploring the hosting city.

Why do I fret so? The label “professional librarian” makes me feel I need to make sure I am not looking stereotypical. Yet, I can’t make myself wear those sadistic torture devices known as “nice women’s shoes”. And, lets face it: when you are cataloging, looking down at materials, up at the computer, reaching for reference materials, the hair can get annoying. Having it pulled back in a tight small bun makes me more efficient. After working on the computer and cataloging various types of materials for about 2 years, BAM, I couldn’t focus anymore. The glasses are now up to two pair because the bifocals didn’t work right. I have one pair to wear when I look across the room and one when I am staring at the computer. I recently moved to a new cubicle. It’s great! It gets natural light and it is away from the common traffic. I am less distracted and should be able to get more work done. But, it is freezing! Some strange Nor’easter comes crashing down across the keyboard and swooping down to my feet. I have invested a lot in Chapstick. And, yes, I have to wear a sweater. Let’s face it, I am in trouble: practical shoes;

hair bun; multiple glasses, little sweater!

Spicing up my look with some funky earrings? They hurt when you answer the phone. Rings, bracelets, jewelry all clank and get in the way when reaching for texts and typing. I was making odd typos on a record until I realized that my bracelet was hitting the space bar. I have almost choked myself in very curious ways. Once, while trying to be a little bit more hip, my dress (!) got caught under the wheel of my chair so when I pulled back it was as if a noose was tightening around my neck.

I bent down to pick up the dropped pencil and my necklace got caught on the key board tray – I banged my head and knocked the phone on the floor. I saw stars and came close to truly knocking myself out! Dressing “professionally” is dangerous!

I don’t have an answer as to how we can fix the stereotyping of the librarian. I think I am more of a cause than a cure. If anyone out there in DC/SLA wants to help, feel free to get in touch with me. Maybe a little counseling is what I need… we could meet at a mall for some one-on-one counseling. I’ll bring the credit card.

Get Listed in the Washington Area Library Directory!

Submitted by Amy Pass, apass@opa.easter-seals.org Is your library listed in the forthcoming, third edition of the Washington Area Library Directory yet?

If not, we invite your library or information center to submit its entry for WALD – a joint product of DC/SLA, DCLA, and LLSDC. Our goal is to compile the most comprehensive directory possible, and to accomplish that, we need your library’s entry.

As many DC/SLA members have attested, the process for listing your library in WALD is relatively quick -- and much more fun than filling out a tax form. To ensure that your library or center is listed in this unique guide to the DC metropolitan area’s vast information resources, please do the following: Step 1. Go to the WALD website at www.arealibraries.com, click on “HELP,” and request your library’s logon and password via the “pop-up” e-mail.

Step 2. After you receive your library’s logon and password via return e-mail, go to www.arealibraries.com and click on the “Update” link.

Step 3. Fill out the online questionnaire and click on “Approve” when finished.

If you have already received your logon and password via a letter from WALD’s publisher, Data-Matic, but haven’t filled out the questionnaire – PLEASE GET LISTED NOW! DC/SLA members Amy Pass (apass@opa.easter-seals.org) and Eileen Deegan (edeegan@pd.state.gov) will be happy to answer any questions you have about getting listed in WALD or about the forthcoming edition.

Please contribute to WALD’s success -- Get Listed!

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | February 2003

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DC/SLA Chapter Notes | February 2003

69th IFLA Council and General Conference, Berlin 1-9th August 2003: Government Information and Official Publications Section (GIOPS) Submitted by Pamela Tripp-Melby, ptrippmelby@worldbank. org Theme: Practitioner Training in the Use and Promotion of Government Information.

Sub-theme: Building the future: enabling citizen participation in democracy The Standing Committee/GIOPS invites librarians, other information professionals, policy makers and political scientists to submit paper proposals providing perspectives and experience on professional training practice. The aim of the session is to equip practitioners to enable end-users to use government information for democratic participation.

Key Threads Proposals may focus on, but are not limited to: • • •

identifying the challenges, gaps and requirements in government information training identifying current best practices and methodologies determining how we prepare end-users to critically acquire and assess government information to support decisionmaking and enhance democratic participation.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | February 2003

Workshop Session - Theme: Training the Trainers The Open Session will be followed by a Workshop Session on how best to put the theoretical knowledge into practice, focusing on the design, delivery and evaluation of government information training . Topics could include: • • • •

Identifying the trainers – who do we want / need to train?

Identifying our audience – who are they? what are their needs?

What is the current extent in formal library education of training in governmental information? Identify the current government information elements in their curricula.

How do we train? What are the methodologies? Identify what works and what doesn’t.

Abstracts Please email abstracts of one page by 21 February 2003 to the Chair, Bruno Gnassi at bgnassi@rogers.com , Jane.Wu@fao.org and paul.anderson@scottish.parliament.uk. Include name, position, institution, address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address. Notifications of abstract acceptance will be issued by 28 February 2003. Full papers are due 18 April 2003 and should not exceed 8 pages. Notifications of acceptance of full papers will be issued by 1 May 2003.

Please note that all fees, including registration to the conference, travel, accommodation etc. are the responsibility of the authors of the accepted papers

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Research Tip of the Month Re-Introducing HotBot Submitted by Mary Ellen Bates, mbates@BatesInfo.com

Information Resources & Technology: Share an Experience Submitted by Cynthia Holt, holt@gwu.edu

I often hear the Web search gurus - Greg Notess, Chris Sherman, and Gary Price, among others - talk about how important it is to use more than one search engine for in-depth research. There’s surprisingly little overlap among the search engine indexes, and the ranking algorithms vary from one search engine to another. So I have to remember to go from Google (isn’t that everyone’s default search engine?) to several other search engines and, no, I don’t always remember.

That’s why I was so delighted to see the recent changes to HotBot (http://www.hotbot.com), which had been the favorite of power searchers a few years ago. It went into decline for a while, and has emerged, phoenix-like, as a front-end to four other high-powered search engines - AllTheWeb, Google, Inktomi and Teoma.

When you type in your search words, you click a radio button to select which of the four search engines you want to use.

Click the "Advanced Search" link, and you will see the advanced features specific to that search engine. You can set defaults for a number of the advanced search and display options for each search engine. You can also customize the HotBot home page - instead of just seeing the minimalist search box, you can also have the language, domain/site and date filters display on the home page, or the "word filter," which lets you specify Boolean operators and field limitations. You can even change the look of HotBot by selecting one of several "skins," or you can upload your own skin, should you feel particularly creative.

So, how well does a search work in HotBot? Pretty well.

You select which search engine you want to use, type your terms in the search box and select any available advanced search features you need. The search results page includes links to modify the search or run the search on one of the other search engines. If you need to conduct a search in multiple search engines sequentially, and retain the power search features of each engine, HotBot is a great tool.

I have a few quibbles with HotBot. To me, one of the strongest features of Teoma is its "Resources" list - web sites that match your search terms and that are link-rich. They’re often excellent resources for digging deeper into the web, and identifying invisible web sources that wouldn’t appear in a search engine’s index. Unfortunately, HotBot only returns the "Web Results" pages, so the "Resources" links are never surfaced.

Likewise, one of the features I like about Google is its integration of links to Open Directory Project categories in its search results. If a page in the search results came from the Open Directory Project, that category listing is hotlinked, making it easy to explore further sites from ODP. While those same pages appear in the HotBot search results, the description and ODP link are missing. The nifty "cached" pages feature also disappears from the HotBot search results, alas.

That said, the new HotBot is a great tool. I may still go directly to Google for the ODP links, or to Teoma for its "Resources" list, but when I feel that I need to cover the waterfront and find as many relevant sites as possible on a topic, HotBot is my new first choice.

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Victoria Harriston, Digital Resources Librarian at the National Academy of Sciences, made the suggestion of a column entitled “Information Resources & Technology: Share an Experience”. This would be a forum for sharing experiences of what you’ve had to go through to deploy specific products, e.g. technical considerations, making site-wide vs. limited staff access, training and outreach, marketing, consortia benefits, negotiating, licensing, and last but certainly not least, handling the ever increasing costs for desktop delivery. To submit an article for this column on your experience, please contact: Cynthia Holt Reference Department The Gelman Library George Washington University 2130 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20052 holt@gwu.edu The preferred formats for articles are Microsoft Word or a text file. Please attach all images in .gif, .jpg or .tif formats.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | February 2003

The Law Librarians' Society Of Washington, D.C. 2003 Legal Research Institutes I and II The Legal Research Institutes are hands-on all day programs aimed at those working in law libraries who want to sharpen their research skills and non-law library personnel and paralegals with limited experience using basic legal sources.

2003 Legal Research Institutes I and II Make check payable to: Law Librarians' Society of Washington, DC Name:___________________________________________ Firm/Institution:___________________________________

Monday , March 10th Case Law Statutes Secondary Sources

Tuesday, March 11th Federal History Research Administrative Law International & Foreign Research

Location: Georgetown University Law Center Edward Bennett Williams Library 111 G St. NW Washington, DC 20001 Metro: Red Line Union Station or Judiciary Square For further directions: http://www.ll.georgetown. edu/topics/directions.html Time:

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Cost:

LLSDC members:$30 each day Non-members:$75 each day Enrollment limited to 60 people.

Lunch sponsored by Lexis-Nexis.

Mail Registration To:

Jane Walsh E.B. Williams Law Library 111 G Street NW Washington, DC 20001 (202)662-9199

Registration Deadline:

February, 28th, 2003

Email:___________________________________________ Please check: _____ Legal Research Institute I, Monday March 10, 2003 _____ Legal Research Institute II, Tuesday March 11, 2003 Please check: _____ LLSDC Member ____ Non-Member Registration Confirmation will be available on the LLSDC Website - http://www.llsdc.org

Note: Registration by Mail Only.

Contributions, gifts, dues or registration fees paid to the Society are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal tax purposes.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | February 2003

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Submitted by Alphonse Vinh, avinh@npr.org Please welcome the following new members to the SLA/DC Chapter: George Diez Megan Galaida Terrel Hale Anita Johnson Judith Keen

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Charlotte Kohrs Laureen Lentz Elizabeth Schilling Gloria Thomas Cecelia Thorn

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | February 2003