DC/SLA Chapter Notes - March/April 2009

President's Corner: Off to a Great Start!

By Greta D. Ober, gretaob@gmail.com

March/ April 2009 Volume 70, No. 2 Inside this issue:

Well Spring has sprung in DC. The weather has gotten warmer, the cherry blossoms appeared right on schedule, and as usual at this time of year, there are more and more people outside, on the streets, sidewalks and riding bikes. So not surprising, attendance at DC Chapter events has been outstanding!

President’s Corner …..……..1 International Librarians….....5 Future of Government….......6 Visiting Lincoln's Cottage….7

As I was putting my thoughts together for this issue of Chapter Notes, I had to step back and relish all that has happened so far. The DC Chapter is well on its way to providing the variety of programs that our members have gotten used to and come to expect. In fact, this being SLA’s year of Centennial celebrations, our Chapter has designed programs to aid in the celebration; so we can all be in the celebration mood!

Swing Dance……….………8

Here is a year-to-date mention of what’s happened so far (programs and committee activities):

Development Survey...........14

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A Capital Celebration: SLA@100, featuring Guy St. Clair on his recently published book, SLA at 100: From Putting Knowledge to Work to Building the Knowledge Culture. The evening began with a wonderful reception held at National Geographic, presentation

by Guy St. Clair, and honoring of SLA members who have been in the DC Chapter for 25+ years. There were over seventy 25+ members identified, with 8 in attendance that evening.

Meet and Greet – While the DC Chapter is fortunate to have Anne Caputo (SLA President-Elect) as a member of our Chapter, we were even more fortunate to have Gloria Zamora (SLA President) in DC to meet our Chapter members. An opportunity for networking, meeting up with old friends, while enjoying drinks and appetizers!

Google 101 for Librarians – This program was so popular it had to be offered a second time! The DC Chapter was fortunate to have Adam Kovacevich of Google conduct this presentation, discussing Google’s search features. The first session was held early in the year (January), on the one day of the year when it snows in DC. However surely due to the popularity of the topic, almost all of those who registered were in attendance.

From the DC/SLA Archives..9 Unspinning Political Information………………..12

Click U Schedule...........…..14 Tech Unconference ……....16 SLA for Students……….…17 2009 Chapter Scholarships..18 New Member Reception…..19

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Library Associates OCLC Research Solutions TRAK Companies Leadership Directories EOS International

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Chapter Notes is the newsletter of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Special Libraries Association (SLA). It is distributed six times per year (bimonthly) as follows: January/ February, March/ April, May/ June, July/ August, September/ October, November/ December.

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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.

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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 Discussion List Manager: Lea Wade lea.wade[at]gmail.com Information: http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/list.html

Note to DC/SLA Members: Effective this year, the Chapter Notes newsletter has changed to a bimonthly publication schedule. As ever, members are encouraged to submit articles and announcements to the editor for inclusion.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 2

Beyond 23 Things: 100 Tools in 100 Minutes - Part I featured a panel of 5 librarians from National Geographic who each reviewed 5 websites related to 5 topics. Part II took things to a different level with the format being an “Unconference” facilitated by Karen Huffman, Stephen Abram, and Marie Kaddell. In spite of the rainy weather (early April -- showers to be expected), a good number of attendees positioned themselves in a circle and a lively discussion soon began!

Future of Government Seminar & Reception – Speakers from the IBM Center for the Business of Government outlined the mission and work of the Center, and highlighted the 10 challenges facing Public Managers.

Military Librarians’ Group – This group continues to be active this year starting off with a dinner and book signing with author Anthony Pitch, who engaged the audience with his book: They Have Killed Papa Dead!: the Road to Ford’s Theatre, Abraham Lincoln’s Murder, and the Rage for Vengeance. Curious about the title? You should have been at the program!

Anthony Pitch, author of a new book about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, speaks at a gathering of DC/SLA's Military Librarians' Group.

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Swing Dance and Book Drive – Held in conjunction with the DTIC Annual Conference, this event featured a live swing band, swing dance demonstrations, and some participants dressed in period attire! Some of the proceeds of this event were used to purchase PlayAways

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(http://www.playawaydigital.com) for soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Joint Spring Workshop – An annual event which the DC Chapter participates as a sponsor, this year’s theme was entitled “Collaboration, the Key to Survival!” and featured a panel of embedded librarian and technology speakers Career Enhancement Committee – Co-hosted with Catholic University, members of our Employment and Professional Enhancement Committee (Mary Talley, Deborah Brightwell, along with Diane Schnurrpusch) helped to organize this beneficial workshop. They certainly “recruited” a reputable panel of speakers with Anne Caputo as they keynote speaker. The seminars provided career guidance and network opportunities. Segments included careers in federal, academic, and law libraries as well as contract and vendor environments.

International Relations Committee – In celebration of International Special Librarians Day, this Committee planned an entertaining program discussing “International Dimensions of the Profession: where do we stand?” A panel of distinguished librarians (Angel Batiste, Barbie Keiser, Jane Meyers, and Lyle Minter) discussed their international projects, and shared their experiences in far away counties.

Click U Live Seminars – In spite of SLA’s change in fee structure (Click U Live seminars are now available at no cost to SLA members), the DC Chapter has held on to tradition by providing a location that our members can gather to attend these seminars.

A central gathering place allows for networking of attendees, with registration procedures and technology all being taken care of by the host. We do also open up these seminars to non-SLA members who may attend for a fee.

Dine Arounds – This Spring our Chapter hosted a record number of 10 dine arounds! It was incredible how many of our members stepped up to volunteer to host (don’t worry if you didn’t get a chance - - - there’s always the Fall dine arounds). I managed to attend 3 of the dine arounds, which were all well

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 3

attended. It’s always more fun to network and socialize in a more relaxed environment, while at the same time discovering a new restaurant and enjoying some good food!

Anne Caputo (third from left) hosted a Spring Dine Around at the Washington restaurant La Tomate. 

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DC/SLA Book Club – Our book club has remained active with two book club meetings having taken place so far.

DC/SLA Student/Young Professionals Group – Let’s not forget this active group, who continues to find interesting locations (restaurants/bars) to host happy hours! They have hosted two happy hours, along with a dine around (which I also attended) Don’t let the name of the group scare you away-- all are welcome to participate!

Of course none of these programs would have happened without all the hard work and dedication of DC Chapter Board and Committee members who volunteer their time. I give my thanks and appreciation to everyone involved. There are just far too many people to acknowledge individually, but I do want to give special mention to those who have led or coordinated our programs: James King, 1st VP/President-Elect who not only has been helping to organize programs, but also taking on Fundraising for our Chapter events, Barbara Ferry, with Centennial programming activities, Anne Linton, our Chapter representative for the Joint-Spring Workshop, Mary Talley, Deborah Brightwell, along with Diane Schnurrpusch who organized the Career Enhancement programs, Zeinab Mansour, Eileen Rourke, and Victor Monti of the International Relations Committee, Marie Kaddell for coordinating the Click U Live seminars, Chris Vestal, coordinator of the Dine Arounds, Layla Heimlich with the Book Club, Carrie Port and Cheri Widowski of the Young Professionals, and

again Diane Schnurrpusch for her continued advice as Past-President.

Other DC Chapter activities in progress include our Chapter’s Strategic Planning Survey, coordinated

by Second Vice-President, Jessica Beauchamp.

You’ll soon be receiving the survey via e-mail. Be sure to complete it, as an added bonus, Dow Jones will donate $1 to the Lubuto Library Project for each completed survey!

What do we have to look forward to… ?  More DC Chapter programs, including the New Member Reception to be held on Thursday, May 21st and featuring SLA President Gloria Zamora and President-elect Anne Caputo discussing the future of SLA and our profession!  More Click U Live seminars  More Military Librarians’ Group events  More Happy Hours

Guy St. Clair signs a copy of his book SLA at 100: From Putting Knowledge to Work to Building the Knowledge Culture for DC/SLA President Greta Ober.

 More Dine Arounds  Parts III, and IV of “Beyond 23 Things…”

And of course, the Annual Conference in June!

I look forward to seeing many DC Chapter members at upcoming events.

Greta Ober greets author Anthony Pitch. He recently spoke to the DC/SLA Military Librarians' Group about his new book They Have Killed Papa Dead!: the Road to Ford’s Theatre, Abraham Lincoln’s Murder, and the Rage for Vengeance.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 4

International Special Librarians' Day organizers Victor Monti, Eileen Rourke, and Zeinab Mansour

International Special Librarians' Day On April 23rd, the International Relations Committee of DC/SLA celebrated International Special Librarians' Day. The theme for the evening was “International Dimensions of the Profession: Where Do We Stand?� Eileen Rourke was moderator as panelists spoke of their experiences with international librarianship: Lyle Minter, Head of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Angel Batiste, Area Specialist in the African & Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress, Barbie E. Keiser, an Information Resources Management (IRM) Consultant, and Jane Kinney Meyers of the Lubuto Library Project.

Thanks to Dow Jones Factiva for their support of the evening's refreshments, and to Kiplinger for the use of the facility.

Jane Kinney Meyers talked about her work with the Lubuto Library Project.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 5

ISLD speakers Lyle Minter, Angel Batiste, and Barbie Keiser described their experiences with international librarianship.

http://www.businessofgovernment.org/, according to Keegan.

DC/SLA Vice President James King with Jonathan Breul and Michael Keegan, who spoke to chapter members about the future of government.

Ten Challenges for "The Future of Government"

By William Tuceling

Jonathan Breul, Executive Director of the IBM Center for the Business of Government, spoke next on the ten challenges facing government. Instilling fiscal sanity and the replenishing Federal workforce led the list of issues, followed by handling information overload and flattening government organization. Government needs to do more electronically and to do less with contractors, and it needs to get better at measuring results and going green. Resolving security vs. privacy issues and preparing for the unexpected rounded out the Center’s list of concerns. Breul said addressing all and solving some of these issues would be a complex and difficult task. The complete text of the pamphlet on which his talk was based is available at www.businessofgovernment.org/pdfs/10_Challenges. pdf . The presentation is also available through the DC/SLA website at http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/events_files/mar1209. html

At DC’s University Club on Thursday, March 12th, DC/SLA and Leadership Directories, Inc. hosted Michael Keegan and Jonathan Breul from the IBM Center for the Business of Government for a twohour program entitled the “Future of Government.”

DC/SLA Vice President James King opened the event at 6:00 by welcoming the attendees and introducing the program. Leadership Directories Regional Sales Director Chris Farley made a brief presentation about the online version of the Federal Leadership Directory before introducing the evening’s two guest speakers.

Michael Keegan, Producer of the weekly, hour-long, radio show of interviews called the “Business of Government Hour,” and Managing Editor of the Business of Government Magazine, spoke about the Center’s many activities. In its first 10 years of existence, it has supported over 300 research projects and issued over 200 reports concentrating on government management. The Center also publishes original articles, report summaries, and interview transcripts semi-annually in its journal, and it recently issued two books on Presidential transition topics. All of these resources -- as well as new reports about the worldwide financial crisis and what government might be able to do about it -- are available for free at the Center’s website at DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 6

Michael Keegan

Jonathan Breul

came to the cottage in the evenings to ask for the President’s advice and assistance on all matters large and small involving the Civil War. The Presidential Guard was stationed on the grounds and wounded soldiers were also located in hospitals on the property; Lincoln often mingled with these soldiers to learn first-hand how the Civil War was really going.

Chapter members toured a home once used by President Abraham Lincoln.

Military Librarians' Group Tours Lincoln's Cottage

By William Tuceling A mix of 20 DC/SLA members and their spouses braved the wet weather of a Sunday afternoon in early May to tour the Victorian-style house President Lincoln and his family used during the summer months of 1862 through 1864 as the Civil War-era counterpart to today’s Camp David.

The stucco-covered home was originally built in 1846 as a summer retreat for the founder of the Riggs National Bank. Mr. Riggs sold it to the Federal government in 1851 when the Soldiers’ Home (now the Armed Forces Retirement Home) was located on the Northwest DC grounds. Presidents Buchanan and Hayes used the house before and after the Lincolns, but the Lincolns used it the most.

President Lincoln rode by horse or carriage three miles every morning to work back at the White House, and he retraced his trip every evening so he could escape the heat and disease of the downtown area. Such trips seemed to be tempting the fates in some peoples’ eyes, and at least one assassination attempt actually did occur just outside the gate to the compound.

In spite of being located on the outskirts of the city, the area was awash with people. Countless visitors DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 7

The tour started outside near a new statue of President Lincoln and his horse, but it quickly moved inside to take in the six sparsely-furnished, highceilinged rooms that are open to the public. Many of the walls, windows, fireplaces, shutters and paneling are original, but the floors were replaced in the 1890s. The guide set the context for activities that took place throughout the house, and audio-visual presentations in some of the rooms used the words of Lincoln, his wife, and their visitors to expound upon the political and military events of the time.

The cottage may be best known as the location where President Lincoln did most of his thinking about and some of the writing of the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1862, Lincoln struggled over how to free the slaves constitutionally, militarily and politically in such a way as to retain the nominal allegiance of the border states of Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland and Delaware. Lincoln eventually decided to justify emancipation as a militarily necessary way of cutting into the South’s ability to make war by depriving it of slave labor. After General Lee’s army retreated from the Battle of Antietam in September, 1862, Lincoln announced his intentions to free the slaves in those areas in open rebellion against the North as of January 1, 1863. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

The Lincoln Cottage

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For our Silver-level Event sponsor InfoCurrent

To our partner PlayAways who provided samples and who continues to work with us to provide these audio devices to our recovering warfighters The vision of this event was to provide a fun venue that also did something worthwhile for the community as part of our International Special Librarians Day celebration.

DC/SLA Swings and Gives

By James King DC/SLA Vice President/ President-Elect Thanks to all those who attended our first 'World War II Era Canteen/Swing Dance" on April 7th. It's not too late to help with the book drive portion of this event (details below) but I'd be remiss if I didn't first thank the many people and organizations that helped to make it possible: The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) for offering their ballroom space for this evening event, especially to Evon Bumbray, Wendy Hill, Helen Sherman, and DTIC Administrator Paul Ryan Deborah Keller who was the visionary behind this event and did most of the leg work to make this event happen For our Platinum-level Event Sponsor - Dow Jones Our wonderful live swing band Swing Speak, led by the incredible Steve Wolf Marc Shepanek from Flying Feet Enterprises for easing the fears of many of our dancers by providing a gentle, instructive hand for those new to Swing Dancing.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 8

A portion of the ticket sales for the Swing Dance have been set aside to purchase PlayAway audio book devices and deliver them to recovering soldiers, sailors, and airmen at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda. If you would like to donate to this effort, please either donate by credit card/PayPal using our PayPal Donate option at the bottom of this page: http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/events_files/apr0709.h tml Or contact our DC/SLA Treasurer, Martha Reifschneider at martha.reifschneider@att.net to arrange for other payment methods.

Please contact or make your donations by May 15th so that we can finalize this effort and deliver the audio books to our nation's heroes!

Charlotte Gower was the first woman Captain of the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.

Celebrate the SLA Centennial: From the Chapter Archives

By Karen Danoff, Chapter Archivist

Many new members “rushed” to join the Washington DC chapter. In order for the Washington DC chapter to win the membership award, they must make a greater effort to get a larger percentage of new members before March 31 [1943]. Mrs. Ruth Hooker, Chapter Membership Chairman, assisted in recruiting additional members. With limitations on travel in war time, the Chapter finds membership in SLA a particularly “refreshing experience which enables one to come together and view in perspective mutual problems in conference. The contact and inspirational gatherings help to make the necessary adjustments to present changing demands.”

(D.C. Public Library, Washingtoniana Division, D.C. Community Archives, Collection 14, Box 13, Guide to the Records of the D.C. Special Libraries Association).

DC/SLA During War Time Chapter Procedures Manual Paraphrased from Chapter Notes, Volume 2, March 1, 1943…

Librarians in Washington DC sent posters and statements for display describing the type of book wanted for the Victory Book Campaign. They were asked to provide collection boxes and forward books obtained to the D.C. Public Library, Southwest Branch, indicating that their contributions are part of SLA War Activities. A record of the number collected by each library was sent to the Chairman, DC/SLA War Activities Committee.

The DC/SLA Committee on War Activities undertook a project to collect books for war prisoners, to maintain a listing of all bibliographies in process or compiled during the past year by Washington libraries, to acquaint librarians and to encourage use of substitutions and conservation methods employable in library, office and home, and to increase offerings of volunteer services by librarians to the Red Cross, U.S.O., Stage Door Canteen, OCD, and similar organizations.

The Chapter had scheduled Captain Charlotte Gower as speaker at the next Chapter Meeting, held on March 9 [1943] at the National Archives. Captain DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 9

The Washington DC Chapter Procedures Manual began in 1953, thirteen years after the Washington DC chapter was created.

In early 1953, Mildred Benton (Past President, 194849; 1949-50), Librarian, Naval Research Laboratory, was asked by Ruth Fine (Washington DC Chapter President) to prepare a Chapter Manual. In a January 29, 1953 letter to all Officers, Committee Chairmen, and Committee Members of the Washington DC Chapter, Mildred Benton wrote about her new position as Chapter Manual Chairman, explaining that the Chapter Manual would “serve as a guide to functions and performance of duties for both present and future Officers and Committee Chairmen” and asked for assistance by members to prepare the document.

On February 17, 1953, Mildred sent a letter to Miss Marion Bonniwell, Chairman, Publications Committee, listing her thoughts on the first manual.

Some of her ideas mentioned were that the manual should be loose leaf (to allow for easier insertion of revisions), the manual should probably be mimeographed, a provision would have to be made for cutting stencils, and that there would be at least 100 pages (maybe more).

According to Mildred’s Chapter Procedure Manual Committee Report (undated), by April 15, 1953 the majority of the Sections planned for the Manual were ready for final typing and editing. By the time of her report, the Publications Committee was prepared to take over the Manual of 72 pages and “rush it to completion”. Stencils would be cut from the copy submitted by the Procedure Manual Committee, and the Manual would be mimeographed and sheets placed in loose-leaf binder to permit insertion of revisions. Distribution of 60 copies was recommended.

(D.C. Public Library, Washingtoniana Division, D.C. Community Archives, Collection 14, Box 5, Guide to the Records of the D.C. Special Libraries Association).

After this 1953 edition, revised versions of the Manual were issued in 1972, 1985, and 1991, 1998, and 2003-2004. These days, the Chapter Manual is updated continuously on the DC/SLA wiki site: http://wiki.sla.org/display/SLADC/Chapter+Manual.

The most recent earlier versions are also archived on the web: the 2003-2004 Chapter Procedures Manual is at http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/manual/toc.html, and the archived 1998 Manual is available at http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/manual.html.

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Have you seen the DC/SLA Centennial polo shirts? Order soon to be ready to celebrate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Special Libraries Association in style.

Proceeds from the shirt sale will help with the Chapter's expenses as the host chapter for the upcoming annual conference.

Centennial conference polo shirts, as seen at a recent DC/SLA event.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 10

To order, visit http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/Ce ntennialShirt.htm

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 11

campaign, featuring a pack of menacing wolves.

With this eerie visual in the foreground, the commercial’s announcer deceptively implied that Democratic Senator John Kerry had supported deep cuts in U.S. intelligence operations after 9/11.

Jackson noted that this scary, deceptive ad gave millions of voters an enduring, false picture of Kerry’s actual record on intelligence spending.

Appeals to fear, he stressed, are not always false -“but your guard should be up.”

Note: due to an editing error, this article was omitted from the last issue of the newsletter.

FactCheck.org's Brooks Jackson "Unspins" Campaign 2008 at DC/SLA Program

By Eileen Deegan DC/SLA Recording Secretary deeganeg@state.gov On the heels of the U.S. presidential election, FactCheck.org Director and veteran journalist, Brooks Jackson, presented his compelling insights about political spin in the 2008 campaign, at DC/SLA’s November 19th program.

Sponsored by Dow Jones & Company, the event was held at Venable LLP’s conference facility. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and conversation during the event’s initial half-hour. Then-President-Elect Greta Ober opened the program and introduced Jackson, who remarked that he was flattered to be appearing before our group of information seekers.

Throughout his presentation, Jackson, co-author of unSpun: finding facts in a world of disinformation, illustrated several of his book’s principles by displaying and analyzing notable 2004 and 2008 campaign ads. One such principle, he said, is the need to be attuned to the warning signs of deception.

“If it’s scary, be wary,” is one of those signs.

To show how political ads can be used to scare voters, he played a commercial from the 2004 Bush DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 12

The Annenberg Public Policy Center’s FactCheck.org (http://www.factcheck.org) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, consumer advocate for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. Its articles and reports hold both major political parties accountable for their deceptive ads, and Jackson’s presentation reflected that nonpartisanship. Just as he showed us the “wolf” ad that targeted a Democratic candidate, he played a false 2008 ad that attacked a Republican candidate.

In the latter ad, a liberal veterans group deceptively claimed that Senator Elizabeth Dole had voted against funding crucial body armor for U.S. troops.

Another warning sign of spin Jackson highlighted was the “dangling comparative.” Using this tactic, a candidate will accuse his or her opponent of cutting or increasing something, but will fail to state how the purported cut or increase actually compares to the current spending amount. For instance, when a Democratic campaign ad claimed that Senator McCain supported a cut in social security benefits, voters, he said, should have asked -- “a cut compared to what?” Jackson added that during most campaigns, “standard themes get harped on.” In 2008, voters again heard about the proclivity of Republicans to cut Social Security, and Democrats’ proclivity to increase taxes.

Jackson observed that the volume of political spin got worse in the 2008 campaign, and he offered several reasons for this. Because candidates had more money, there were more ads. Nearly 50 debates took place in the course of the lengthy presidential campaign. Candidates had more unfiltered access to voters through more cable-tv stations. On top of all that, were the insidious viral e-mails. FactCheck.org, he said, spent considerable time debunking erroneous, viral e-mails and blog postings -especially those contending that Barack Obama is

constitutionally ineligible to be the U.S. president because, they claim, he is not native-born.

FactCheck.org’s article verifying the authenticity of Obama’s Hawaiian birth records was the website’s most-read article of the 2008 campaign, Jackson said.

Jackson explained that when it comes to ads for commercial products, consumers have a “fig leaf of legal protection.” By contrast, when it comes to candidates’ ads, we lack even that protection.

Because candidates have first-amendment rights, essentially nothing prevents them from running something that’s totally false. Thus, the onus is on the public to sort through the political information and determine the facts. Complicating this, Jackson believes, is that “humans are not by nature terribly rational,” and need to be trained to think logically.

He cited rules, discussed in his book, which FactCheck.org follows to determine what’s factual, including:  You can’t be completely certain, but you can be certain enough.  Look for general agreement among experts.  When numbers are used, know what’s being counted – and what’s not.  Know who is behind a statement.  Cross-check everything that matters.  Be skeptical, not cynical.

In concluding his presentation, Jackson predicted that FactCheck.org will be quite busy in the coming year.

For instance, the new administration’s initiatives on health-care reform and climate change should DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 13

generate massive amounts of issue advertising that FactCheck.org will analyze.

In her July-August 2008 Searcher article about campaign information tools, information consultant Laura Gordon-Murnane described FactCheck.org as a “very useful, thoughtful, and necessary resource.”

Clearly, the DC/SLA audience who heard Jackson’s account of how FactCheck.org “unspun” the 2008 campaign, and his insights into handling the flood of political disinformation, would concur.

Note: To hear Brooks Jackson’s “Spotlight Speaker” presentation at SLA’s 2008 Annual Conference in Seattle, produced by SLA’s Government Information and News Divisions, go directly to -http://sla.learn.com/learncenter.asp?page=310.

Alternatively, go to http://www.sla.org, click on the “Professional Development” tab, and the “Click University” link. On the “New to Click U” page, scroll down to “SLA 2008 Conference Podcasts,” and click on “learn more.”

Take a Survey, Help a Library

By Jessica Beauchamp Help shape DC/SLA’s future and help the Lubuto Library Project at the same time—what a deal!

It’s Strategic Planning time again, and the Strategic Planning Committee is eager for your input. As you know, our chapter is a diverse, vibrant volunteer organization which serves a large number of members. Right now, we are deploying a survey to all DC/SLA chapter members, and we want to hear from you to ensure that we continue to serve you effectively.

And if helping to set the future course of DC/SLA isn’t enough incentive, for each completed survey, Dow Jones has generously offered to contribute $1 to the Lubuto Library Project (www.lubuto.org). In addition to providing us with your valuable feedback, you will continue the Chapter’s support of this amazing program which brings libraries of quality to serve Africa's street kids.

The survey will be available online from Tuesday, May 5, 2009 until Monday, May 25, 2009. All survey responses are anonymous and we welcome your honest appraisal of the Chapter.

Please follow this link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gWT_2fc pEXhPIFptNCwGdUTA_3d_3d

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

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 14

Continuing Education Opportunities through DC/SLA and Click U Mark your calendar for upcoming Click U seminars:  

Thursday, May 7: How Social Is Your Web Site?

Wednesday, May 20: The World Is at My Doorstep …and the House Is a Mess: Putting Our Information in its Place in a Digital Age

Remember: these Click U Live courses are now FREE for SLA members and $25 for non-SLA members. However, all attendees must RSVP. Please note: seminars begin promptly. It is best to arrive at least 10 minutes early to sign in and get seated. Please bring your own handouts. A link to the course materials will be provided a few days before the seminar.

More information about registering for these Click U sessions is available here: http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/events_files/clicku09. html.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 15

Beyond "23 Things" at DC/SLA's Unconference On April 3rd, DC/SLA took the "23 Things" technology concept further with its "Beyond 23 Things" Unconference. The discussion was facilitated by Stephen Abram, Karen Huffman, and Marie Kaddell, but the participants themselves set the course of the conversation. They applied the ideas and technologies of the SLA "23 Things" initiative to their own experiences and organizations.

As you can see from the idea map below, it was a lively discussion!

Karen Huffman was one of the facilitators for the DC/SLA Unconference.

Check out links and more from the event at its wiki site: http://wiki.sla.org/display/unconf/2009+Summary+of +Beyond+23+Things+Unconference

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 16

Why Students Should Join SLA

By Julia Leggett DC/SLA Membership Director Dear Friends: Nearly ten years ago, when I was a student in library school, I had very little money and big tuition bills.

While I enjoyed my academic studies and campus life very much, I was a little uncertain about my future. Like many of you, I often thought about what to do, where to go, and how to find a good job after graduation. After all, we all have to deal with the realities of life. We need jobs and we need to maximize the return on investment on our education.

So what is the solution?

One of the best ways to find a job and boost your career is to join a professional organization. That was exactly what I did. I joined the Special Libraries Association’s Washington D.C. Chapter as a student member. This decision I made has had a positive impact on my career. One of the highlights I am very proud of was receiving a $6,000 scholarship award in 1998 from SLA. The Association awards $30,000 in scholarships every year.

SLA offers many other benefits to its members: networking opportunities, professional development, the Information Outlook magazine, and career planning. SLA brings you into contact with more than 12,000 innovative information professionals in the U.S. and 83 countries around the world. Its members include corporate, academic and government information specialists and their strategic partners.

In career planning, SLA’s Career Center provides you with a great tool for finding employment and learning skills that make you more marketable in the information profession. I took advantage of the powerful networking channel in DC/SLA. Shortly after I graduated from library school, I found a good job as a librarian in the Federal Government in Washington D.C. In professional development, SLA’s Click University offers in-depth, richness and meaningful programs to help you stay ahead of change and at the same time DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 17

become indispensable contributors to your employers.

In Information Outlook, SLA’s monthly magazine, you will read many good articles featuring cuttingedge technology, trends, and new developments in the information profession.

SLA will hold its annual conference in June 2009 in Washington D.C. I would like to invite you to come to the conference. This is a great opportunity for you to network and find potential jobs in our area, covering Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Our Chapter is the largest local chapter in SLA, with more than 1,000 members working in special libraries and information centers in law firms, government agencies, think tanks, international organizations, and non-profit organizations.

When you join SLA, you will get a significant discount on the 2009 Annual Conference registration.

You can select DC/SLA as your local chapter free of charge. Why not take advantage of this benefit?

To know more about us, please visit our website at http://units.sla.org/chapter.cdc .

Click http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/about.html to access our online membership brochure. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

It’s never too early to think about your life after graduation. Invest in yourself, realize your potential, and take control of your career future – JOIN DC/SLA NOW! I look forward to seeing you at the 2009 SLA Annual Conference in Washington D.C.

Sincerely, Julia Leggett Membership Director Washington D.C. Chapter Special Libraries Association Tel: 202-707-6779 Email: jleggett@crs.loc.gov

DC/SLA Will Award Two Student Scholarships The Washington, D.C. Chapter announces its 2009 scholarship program. Two scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded by the chapter in August 2009 for studies leading to a Master’s Degree from an ALA accredited graduate Library Science program.

DC/SLA wants to encourage talented men and women to join us with a career in special libraries.

And so, 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 (one to two pages) essay describing their professional goals and their interest in special librarianship. Applicants must be members of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of Special Libraries Association and enrolled in an ALA accredited Library Science program. If you aren’t a DC/SLA member yet, SLA student dues are only $35 per year. Join today at www.sla.org.

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

The scholarship application form and additional details will be available early in May on the DC/SLA website at http://units.sla.org/chapter/cdc/yp/scholarship.html.

Don't delay-- the application deadline is July 17, 2009.

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 18

SLA Snapshot: in October, Betty Jo Hibberd from Dialog spoke to DC/SLA members about how to measure and communicate the value of information centers and services. Watch the Chapter calendar and listserv for more great events like this one!

Thanks to our Platinum-level Chapter sponsor: Dow Jones and Company DATE: Thursday, May 21, 2009 TIME: 6:00 p.m. -- 9:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Elizabeth's on L 1341 L St., NW; Washington, DC METRO: McPherson Square (Blue and Orange Lines) Take the 14th Street exit.

Creating the Future: SLA and Our Profession SLA President Gloria Zamora and President-elect Anne Caputo will be present at the DC/SLA New Member Reception to help celebrate our new members and to talk about new directions for our organization and our profession.

Join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the elegant Elizabeth's on L Street, a renovated federalist townhouse in downtown Washington DC. Whether you are new to the DC Chapter or have been a member for years, the New Member Reception is the perfect occasion to meet new people, reconnect with others and to help establish our shared vision for the future.

PRICE: $15.00 - Chapter Members; $25.00 - Non-Chapter Members; $10.00 Students/Retirees/Unemployed FREE - New first-time members who have joined since May 2008.

Price at the door - Add $5.00 RSVP: Kimberly Ferguson at ksf1968@gmail.com.

(Note: Pay Pal will accept payment even if the event is full, so please RSVP before paying to make sure there is still availability. PayPal payments are not refundable.)

In this, SLA’s centennial year, the Association has embarked on a thorough examination to bring clarity and unity to the core identity and values of the Association and the profession. SLA President Gloria Zamora and President-elect Anne Caputo will discuss the new Alignment Project, and how it provides a framework for discussing the inherent value you bring to your organization, the profession and the Association in a clear, compelling and cohesive voice.

Admission is FREE to new members (those who have joined the Washington DC Chapter since May 2008).

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 19

Chapter members Lisa Pogue, Layla Heimlich, and James King attended a recent "Meet and Greet" event with current SLA President Gloria Zamora and President-Elect Anne Caputo.

DC/SLA members visit the cottage where Abraham Lincoln and his family once spent their summers.

Get a closer look at this and many other recent Chapter activities inside!

DC/SLA Chapter Notes | March/April 2009 | pg 20