DC/SLA Chapter Notes - May 2008

President's Corner: Chapter Events of Note

By Diane R. Schnurrpusch, dschnurr@dtic.mil

It CAN BE EASY being green!

SLA recently announced that Presidential citations would be given later this year to honor individual SLA members and units committed to green practices through the “Knowledge to Go Green” initiative. Whether or not we receive citations, we are all winners if we can make a difference to our world. Our chapter leaders have brainstormed a few ideas for conducting business in a more environmentally friendly way. Using less paper is one answer. I would like to hear YOUR ideas. I will share them with all of you in a future issue, and we will try to incorporate some in our chapter’s practices.

Volunteer Opportunities The Local Arrangements Committee for the 2009 SLA Conference is recruiting volunteers to man an exhibit booth for five days at SLA 2008 in Seattle. If you will be there, please pledge an hour or two to share your vast knowledge of the capital area with our colleagues from around the world. Even if you don’t feel like an expert, there will be training and resources available to transform you to a confident ambassador for DC. Most of the time there will be two or three people working together.

Contact Barbie Keiser at barbieelene@att.net or 646-526-3996 for a timeslot. Believe me, the booth will an exciting place to be.

I am also looking for a few more Chapter volunteers. Does one of these jobs sound perfect for you?

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•

Seeking SLA 2008 attendees to write brief articles about their conference experience for the August edition of Chapter Notes.

You can write about a session, a tour, a series of events, an evening program, or whatever appeals to you. Please commit to Jenny O’Shea before the conference, if possible, so that she can plan the issue.

We need digital photographers for various Chapter activities.

(Two or three people could share the duties.)

May 2008 Volume 69, No. 4 Inside this issue: President’s Corner …..……..1 Information Ethics and SLA………………....……...3 New Members Reception.….4 Lubuto Library Project...…...5 DGI at SLA…….………......7 Student Scholarships…….....7 DOI Library Events………..9 Member Notes…………….10 Book Club………………...10

Read about new products and services from: • • • • • •

Library Associates InfoCurrent TRAK Records and Library EOS International Gale Digital Collections Research Solutions

Check us out on the Web! www.units.sla.org/Chapter/cdc

• Chapter Notes is the newsletter of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Special Libraries Association (SLA). It is distributed ten times per year—monthly except for combined issues in June/ July and November/ December.

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 are available to non-members at a rate of $10 per year.

The newsletter is also available electronically at the chapter's web site, www.units.sla.org/Chapter/cdc.

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, Charlotte White.

The deadline for the combined June/July 2008 issue is May 20th.

The issue will be distributed approximately one week after the deadline. The preferred submission format is a Word document sent via email. You should receive an email acknowledgement of your submission.

Materials for Chapter Notes or requests for mailing address changes should be sent to the Editor.

Chapter Notes Editor: Jenny O'Shea Library, U.S. News & World Report Phone: 202-955-2087 oshea.jenny@gmail.com Chapter Notes Business Manager: Charlotte White cwhite@fmc.gov DC/SLA Webmaster: Krista Mantsch National Geographic Society Libraries and Information Services 1145 17th St., NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-457-8450 kmantsch@ngs.org DC/SLA Listerv Manager: Gulnar Nagashybayeva Government Documents Librarian NOAA Central Library SSMC-3, 2nd fl., E/OC4 1315 East-West Hwy. Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301-713-2607, ext. 143 gulnar.nagashybayeva@noaa.gov

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 2

We always need members who are willing to step into short-term assignments of all types.

Journalism and Photography with an International Twist During National Library Week, DC/SLA’s International Relations Committee (led by Eileen O’Rourke and Victor Monti) hosted a celebration of International Special Librarians Day at the historic Kiplinger Editors’ building. The event drew a nicesized audience to hear from Erica Lee Nelson, an associate editor at Inside U.S. Trade, and Sebastian John, a photo editor for the National Geographic Society. Erica tied international trade issues in with the current political and economic landscapes. She told a story about a tariff to slow Honduran socks entering the U.S.-- amusing, yet a reminder of the realities of the trade world. Sebastian John took us through his career as a photo editor, describing how he catalogs images for quick retrieval, and how it is often difficult to obtain the correct permissions for use of photos from other countries. He ended by displaying several sets of unique photos he selected for online stories and those that made the final cut.

This husband and wife duo provided a thoroughly fascinating evening. The entire IRC participated in planning, promoting, and executing this event.

Thanks to this committee for a first-class effort.

Donation to DC/SLA in memory of Sue O'Neill Johnson Greta Ober-Beauchesne announced at the last board meeting that she received a letter and donation of $260 from Sue's O’Neill Johnson’s husband, Doug.

The letter reads in part: The enclosed check for DC SLA comes from the sale of Sue's CDs by Marion Richards and her colleagues at the World Bank-Joint Library. I supplied the CDs but Marion and her friends really deserve the credit they thought up the idea and did all the work of getting people to buy them. Anyway, I'm sure you can put the funds to good use. (I know what Sue would have done with at least a part of such a windfall - she would have thrown a big party!)

Outreach to Students The next wave of new information professionals has been on my mind a lot lately as Patricia Evans and I prepare to co-teach the Institute on Federal Library Resources at the Catholic University of America. It’s always a rewarding experience. As an organization, DC/SLA recently reached out to students of CUA, the University of Maryland, and several distance learning programs. The Mentoring Committee (Dave Shumaker and Michele Masias) did an extraordinary job of pairing students with library hosts for our “Spend a Day with a Special Librarian” experience.

You will hear more about that soon. Also, our Scholarship Committee just announced two scholarships available for members of DC/SLA pursuing a master’s degree in library and information science. See page XX for details-- and spread the word!

Homepage Upgrades Webmaster Krista Mantsch has reformatted our main Web page. She and calendar editor Alison Ince bring the important news and events front and center (or “above the fold,” as news librarians would say). If you haven’t viewed the site lately, take a look.

Upcoming Events Elsewhere in this issue, you will see information about our Ethics Town Hall Meeting and our New Members Reception. I look forward to seeing many of you at these activities. We need your input to help craft SLA’s new Code of Ethics. If you are not sure what that is about, come to the meeting on May 8th just to be informed. Also this month, join us for an evening of networking and socializing with our many new members. This will happen on May 15th. All members are welcome at both events.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 3

Ethics, SLA and You: Contribute to SLA's New Code of Ethics

By Jessica Beauchamp Co-chair, DC/SLA Ethics Committee DC/SLA members met recently for a special town hall meeting to contribute to SLA's creation of a new Code of Ethics for our association. Barbie Keiser, internationally recognized expert on ethics, awardwinning member of DC/SLA, and Ethics Ambassador for the Environmental and Resource Management Division, was the moderator and speaker. She led the group through the introductory Ethics 101 issues involving this important topic, and helped us collect stories and scenarios in which ethics are a central theme.

If you were not able to attend this May 8th town hall meeting, please contact Anne Caputo (anne.caputo@dowjones.com) or Jessica Beauchamp (jessicabeau@yahoo.com), your DC/SLA Ethics Ambassadors, to share your real-world examples of ethical dilemmas or situations you have faced, and how you have managed them.

It is vital that we get your input to share and discuss at the Ethics Ambassadors session at the annual conference in Seattle. As the largest chapter in SLA, DC/SLA strives to be the leader in these efforts. Our stories will contribute to SLA's creation of a new Code of Ethics for our entire association.

If you are interested in learning more: SLA Board Document A06-39 - Creation of a New Global Event (approval to begin process of creating a World Ethics Day in 2009) SLA Board Document B07-28 - Study Results and Recommendations for an Ethics Code for SLA Or contact your DC/SLA Ethics Committee CoChairs: Jessica Beauchamp (jessicabeau@yahoo.com) Anne Caputo (anne.caputo@dowjones.com)

New Members Reception

By Greta Ober-Beauchesne DC/SLA First VP/ President-Elect DC/SLA welcomes and celebrates our new members!

Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres at Elizabeth's on L Street. Whether you are new to the DC Chapter, or have been a member for more than a few years, the New Member Reception is the perfect occasion to meet new people and reconnect with others.

The elegant Elizabeth's on L Street is a renovated federalist townhouse in downtown Washington DC. Enjoy this stylish venue while taking the opportunity to network and socialize.

Admission is FREE for new members (those who have joined the DC Chapter since May 2007).

Space is limited, so don't wait to register -- RSVP now!

Photograph by Julia Leggett DC/SLA was proud to be one of the cosponsors of this year’s Joint Spring Workshop on April 29th.

Members gathered to hear keynote speaker Susan Fifer Canby (above) and a panel of experts discuss the role of librarians in knowledge management. The next issue of Chapter Notes (June/ July 2008) will feature a full report on the workshop’s proceedings.

DATE: Thursday, May 15, 2008 TIME: 6:00pm–9:00pm LOCATION: Elizabeth's on L 1341 L St., NW Washington, DC METRO: McPherson Square (Blue/ Orange Lines) Take the 14th Street exit.

PRICE: (payable via PayPal; checks also accepted) $15.00 - Chapter Members $25.00 - Non-Chapter Members $10.00 - Students/Retirees/Unemployed FREE - New first-time members who have joined since May 2007.

RSVP to Michele Worthington (mworthington@gpo.gov or 202-512-2075) regardless of form of payment.

RSVP DEADLINE: Monday, May 12, 2008

Traditional and Cutting-Edge Positions for Information Professionals Contract and Interim Staffing Executive Recruitment Outsourcing Solutions for Information & Knowledge Management Projects Global Information Solutions Contact us today: West Coast 800-987-6794

East Coast 800-775-0388

www.libraryassociates.com

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 4

the 1st Lubuto Library in Lusaka; Zambian government and private sector support to Lubuto; partnerships with other organizations and countries for future libraries; and how the libraries are catalysts for Zambians to serve vulnerable children.

SEE YOU AT INFO-EXPO BOOTH 401!

Please send your email address to mayazi@verizon.net if you would like to be added to Lubuto’s email newsletter list.

A Lubuto library in Lusaka, Zambia. (Photo courtesy of the Lubuto Library Project.)

Lubuto Library Project Update in Seattle

By Jane Kinney Meyers, President Lubuto Library Project, Inc. An outpouring of SLA members’ support after I was presented with the 2007 Dow Jones Leadership Award in Denver has propelled the Lubuto Library Project forward on many fronts, with almost $40,000 in SLA individual and chapter donations ($85,000 including all information and book professionals) fueling our innovative operations. One such donation came “in recognition of what members of SLA can accomplish to help library users around the world.”

In addition to many large and small financial donors, dozens of SLA members volunteer their time and expertise to organize events that dramatically broaden our capacity to engage top-notch professionalism in service to some of the world’s most marginalized children.

At the Annual Conference in Seattle, we would like to thank all of you, show you what your contributions have helped accomplish, and discuss our plans for the future – but still ensure that your investment in Lubuto continues to bolster our program directly.

Thanks to the sustained generosity and underwriting of Dow Jones and Co., we will be able to do just that!

Ann Sweeney and I will be at the Dow Jones booth (no. 401) in the INFO-EXPO during all of the conference’s scheduled exhibition non-conflict times to thank you in person and give you a DVD of the opening event for the first Lubuto Library. We also hope to engage new SLA supporters as well, and have lots of exciting news to impart, including about: DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 5

Volunteer to Sponsor Book Drives for the Lubuto Library Project

By Kenlee Ray DC/SLA is very proud of the achievements of the Lubuto Library Project, which is creating quality libraries to serve street kids and other vulnerable children in Africa. We were all thrilled when the Project's founder, Jane Kinney Meyers, was awarded the 2007 Factiva Leadership Award at the SLA conference in Denver.

As many of you know, the Lubuto Project reaches African youth who are out of school with opportunities for self-education and learning in addition to providing them with a safe, welcoming environment that is respectful of local tradition. The first Lubuto Library opened on September 21, 2007 at the Fountain of Hope in Lusaka, Zambia, and it is the first of at least 100 that are planned for Zambia and throughout the region. The project is unique in providing complete library collections of excellent children's books, already organized. However, the project is currently out of books to add to its next collection, and it needs your help to replenish its stock.

The Lubuto Project needs picture books, fiction and non-fiction, but especially informational books with lots of illustrations or photographs along with simple explanations and definitions. Books should be in brand-new condition, not outdated, and in English. Reference books should be current and in complete sets. Hardcover is preferred, but sturdy trade paperback books can also be included.

The DC/SLA Community Outreach Committee is going to coordinate book drives in July for Lubuto.

Here's how you can help: 1. We want to hold book drives in three or four central locations. Would your organization be willing to host a book drive? Are you in a central location that would be accessible to other DC/SLA members?

You could kick off the book drive with activities to draw users into your library. Jane Meyers or some of the other SLA volunteers would be happy to come for a talk, and they have a great video on the project.

The Lubuto Project has detailed book donation guidelines drafted by top experts in children's literature for you to use to encourage appropriate donations. Most groups find that a month is a good length of time for a book drive, but the length of time is best based on your organization's corporate culture.

2. If you have school age children, relatives or neighbors, let them know that we will be collecting gently-read children's books in July. This is a good summertime project for families which gives parents a chance to involve their children-- especially teenagers who are old enough to take a leadership role in soliciting donations from their friends.

3. We will need volunteers to pick up the books and sort out any materials that don't meet Lubuto's selection criteria. Such items will be delivered to the AMVETS store on Georgia Ave. If you have questions, or would like to know more about participating in the book drives, please contact Kenlee Ray, kenleeray@verizon.net, 202-483-2423 or Richard Huffine, richardhuffine@yahoo.com, 703648-7182. If you have questions about the Lubuto Project, please visit their web site (www.lubuto.org/).

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 6

DGI Sessions at SLA 2008 to Feature DC/SLA Members

By Eileen Deegan U.S. Department of State Several DC/SLA members will be playing instrumental roles in Government Information Division (DGI) programs at this SLA’s annual conference. If you will be traveling to Seattle, please plan to attend these compelling DGI programs, led and organized by our DC/SLA colleagues. For more information about SLA’s Government Information Division, visit http://www.sla.org/dgi.

Former DC/SLA President Anne Caputo will be moderating the DGI/ DNEWS “Spotlight Session” featuring FactCheck.org director and veteran journalist Brooks Jackson. Sponsored by Dow Jones & Company and Thomson Scientific, Jackson’s June 17, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. presentation “Unspun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation” will offer a unique look at election information.

In keeping with the conference theme, “Breaking Rules, Building Bridges,” former SLA and DC/SLA President Donna Scheeder and DGI Chair-Elect and Chapter-award winner Christopher Zammarelli, will highlight insights from their fall 2007 study tour of premier German government libraries. This June 17, 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. session, “Government Information Division Business Meeting and Presentation – From USA to Deutschland” (sponsored by BNA), will be moderated by DGI Chair Eileen Deegan.

For the June 16, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. DGI / DERM session sponsored by Elsevier, Inc. – “Building Global Bridges across Science Databases” – DGI Director George Franchois has lined up an outstanding panel of government leaders who will discuss their groundbreaking scientific information initiatives.

Other DGI sessions that will be of interest to many DC/SLA members are the June 16, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. presentation, “Government Librarians Get Savvy – Metrics, Metrics, Metrics!” (sponsored by Thomson Scientific); and the June 17, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. presentation, “Cutting Edge E-Preservation – Washington State’s Digital Archives” (sponsored by ProQuest).

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 7

Please consult SLA’s Online Conference Personal Planner for further details about all of DGI’s activities in Seattle. [Note: On the “Welcome to the SLA 2008 Conference Planner” page, look for the “Browse Sessions By:” box, and click on “SLA Units.” Next, in the adjacent “Browse By” box, click on “Government Information Division,” and click on “go!”]

2008 Student Scholarships

By Mike Kolakowski DC/SLA Scholarship Chair Attention students!

DC/SLA wants to encourage talented men and women to join us with a career in special libraries. To assist students who are preparing for a master’s degree in Library Science, the Washington, D.C. chapter is offering two cash awards again this year: InfoCurrent Scholarship $2,000 Catherine A. Jones Memorial Scholarship $2,000 Winners will be selected based on a short (1-2 page) essay describing their professional goals and their interest in special librarianship. Only one application is necessary to be considered for both awards.

Applicants must be members of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Special Libraries Association, and enrolled in an ALA accredited library science program.

If you aren’t a DC/SLA member yet, student dues are only $35 per year-- join today at www.sla.org!

Remember to choose the Washington, D.C. chapter on your membership form.

The two scholarships will be awarded in August. The application form and additional details are available on the DC/SLA website: http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/yp/scholarship.html.

Don’t delay-- the application deadline is July 21, 2008.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 8

You're Invited: Department of Interior Library Events

By George Franchois U.S. Department of the Interior Library The following events will be taking place at the Department of the Interior Library during May. All of the events listed are free and open to the public.

The DOI Library is located at 1849 C Street, NW in Washington. The main entrance to the Main Interior Building is located on C Street, between 18th and 19th Streets. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to contact the DOI Library to RSVP by phone at (202) 208-5815 or e-mail at library@nbc.gov.

You may also visit the DOI Library's website at http://library.doi.gov for more information, including detailed directions.

DOI Library Training Session: DOI Library Tour Tuesday, May 13th, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Join us for a tour of the many resources of the Department of the Interior Library. Included in the tour will be a description of legal and legislative resources on Deck 4 of the Library, including the Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Code, U.S. Statutes at Large, and Case Reporters. Also included will be a look at the U.S. Congressional Serial Set, dating back to 1789, and the Library's Rare Book Collection. This tour, conducted by DOI Law Librarian Maureen Booth, will be valuable for anyone intending to do research at the DOI Library.

DOI Library Park Ranger Speaker Series: Prince William Forest Park Tuesday, May 20th, 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm.

Prince William Forest Park is an oasis of natural beauty and human history located only 35 miles south of Washington, DC. Over 37 miles of hiking trails and 21 miles of bicycle-accessible roads and trails traverse this 15,000 acre preserve, the largest example of eastern Piedmont forest in the National Park System. Prince William Forest Park also preserves the largest inventory of Civilian Conservation Corps structures (153) in the National DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 9

Park System. Please join Park Ranger Laura Cohen for a look at the history of Prince William Forest Park, starting in the days of the FDR’s New Deal and continuing through to the development of the ecological preserve we know today.

DOI Library Training Session: Advanced Legal Research on Westlaw Wednesday, May 28th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Attendees will learn how to take research skills learned in introductory Westlaw courses to the next level. Learn how to find cases by an attorney or judge's name, date, and jurisdiction. Explore statutory materials, and learn how to combine the best of book and online research with Westlaw's online Table of Contents. Delve into KeyCite's unique features, which allow researchers to fine-tune their results by legal issue, jurisdiction, and other selected criteria.

Learn how to personalize Westlaw to meet your unique research needs. (This program will be conducted by a Westlaw trainer.)

Member Notes Stephanie V. Williams retired as assistant director of the Knowledge Services Group at Congressional Research Service (CRS) on March 3, 2008. With nearly 35 years of federal government service, Stephanie began her career as a cataloger at the Defense Intelligence Agency. She also worked in various library positions at the Naval Sea Systems Command and Office of Naval Intelligence before joining CRS in 1995. Upon her retirement, she was presented a Superior Service Award by the Librarian of Congress for successfully exploiting technologies to deliver high quality and cost-efficient services, and for her work that led to the establishment of the CRS Knowledge Services Group. Stephanie plans to stay in the area and enjoy her retirement.

DC/SLA Book Club

By Layla Voll DC/SLA Book Club Chair Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies has been a best-selling book, the inspiration for a PBS series, and the subject of its own Wikipedia article. It was also the focus of the DC/SLA book club’s April meeting. Members had a good time exploring many of Diamond’s ideas-covering 10,000 years of human history and all seven continents, Guns, Germs, and Steel takes a look at the factors which affected human development all over the world, from the food we eat to the germs we harbor. Book club members found much to talk about, ranging from prehistoric crop yields and domesticated animals to the future of farming in modern Montana and the global information society.

The group will be meeting again in July. Anyone is welcome to join us-- you do not need to have come to a meeting before, or even be a member of SLA. The July title is not yet chosen, but suggestions for books are always welcome! Please contact Layla Voll (Layla_Voll@hotmail.com) with any questions or recommendations.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | May 2008 | pg 10

If you are heading to SLA 2008 in Seattle this summer, consider writing a brief item about your experiences for the August Chapter Notes newsletter.

Digital photos are always welcome, too!

If you would like to contribute, please email the newsletter editor, Jenny O’Shea, at oshea.jenny@gmail.com.