Dysart & Jones » SLA http://dysartjones.com Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:49:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Curious Enough to Question “Orthodoxies” http://dysartjones.com/2011/06/curious-enough-to-question-orthodoxies/ http://dysartjones.com/2011/06/curious-enough-to-question-orthodoxies/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:46:18 +0000 Rebecca Jones http://dysartjones.com/?p=2351 This blog post is being posted to Future Ready 365 today.  Are you a future ready information professional?

A few weeks ago Jane Dysart, Kim Silk and I were fortunate to hear Daniel Pink talk at the Rotman School of Management Life-Long Learning Conference for Leaders, ‘How to Get Your Business Back to Reality.” His latest book, Drive, bases “the surprising things that motivate us” on 40 years of human motivation research (here’s a pdf summary of Drive).  It wasn’t his discussion about what does or doesn’t motivate us that caught my attention, although that is fascinating and worth a blog post(!); it was his discussion about the need for organizations to challenge and re-think base assumptions on which they are building their strategies.

I’m increasingly concerned that that the library sector and information profession must do just that: challenge, re-frame and quite possibly re-think our base assumptions and the practices and approaches built on those assumptions. Pink re labels assumptions “orthodoxies”.  Labelling and viewing what we, as a sector and profession view to be truths as “orthodoxies” rather than assumptions forces us to see the deep-rooted concreteness of these “truths”.  It is these deep roots that make it somewhat painful to question the validity of these orthodoxies today and, more importantly, tomorrow and into the future.

 

I laugh, both because laughter is healthy and because for a profession that has an orthodoxy (yes,  a truth – an assumption!)  of finding and delivering answers to any question, we aren’t

Continue reading Curious Enough to Question “Orthodoxies”

]]> This blog post is being posted to Future Ready 365 today.  Are you a future ready information professional?

A few weeks ago Jane Dysart, Kim Silk and I were fortunate to hear Daniel Pink talk at the Rotman School of Management Life-Long Learning Conference for Leaders, ‘How to Get Your Business Back to Reality.” His latest book, Drive, bases “the surprising things that motivate us” on 40 years of human motivation research (here’s a pdf summary of Drive).  It wasn’t his discussion about what does or doesn’t motivate us that caught my attention, although that is fascinating and worth a blog post(!); it was his discussion about the need for organizations to challenge and re-think base assumptions on which they are building their strategies.

I’m increasingly concerned that that the library sector and information profession must do just that: challenge, re-frame and quite possibly re-think our base assumptions and the practices and approaches built on those assumptions. Pink re labels assumptions “orthodoxies”.  Labelling and viewing what we, as a sector and profession view to be truths as “orthodoxies” rather than assumptions forces us to see the deep-rooted concreteness of these “truths”.  It is these deep roots that make it somewhat painful to question the validity of these orthodoxies today and, more importantly, tomorrow and into the future.

 

I laugh, both because laughter is healthy and because for a profession that has an orthodoxy (yes,  a truth – an assumption!)  of finding and delivering answers to any question, we aren’t really too comfortable asking and considering questions about our practices, approaches, strategies or organizations. I don’t think we’re really any different than any other sector; wrestling with those types of questions is akin to wrestling itself – invigorating for some, uncomfortable for others and the outcome is unknown.  And, yet, to be future ready we must challenge those orthodoxies and ensure our practices, perceptions and approaches are ready for the future – whatever that future may hold. I may not like wrestling, but I absolutely the thought of seeing the library sector or the information profession perceived as irrelevant in the future, so I’m willing to be uncomfortable and to engage in the challenging discussions and re-framing required.

SLA is designing its future. Next week the Board will begin considering the assumptions and “orthodoxies” held true by an association that’s more than 100 years old. SLA’s future for the next 100 years will be designed by standing in that future as Jane Dysart challenged the association to do in Information Outlook in 1993 when she was SLA President.  Jane has always questioned orthodoxies, often without even realizing she’s doing it, because she is naturally curious. She has taught me so much about the value – and fun! – of curiousity.  Curiousity leads to discoveries. We need to be curious about what type of association will be indispensable to an indispensable sector and an indispensable profession. We need to ask questions about what that association will “look like”, how it will enable its members and how members will enable it. How will the association differ from other information and library sector associations?  Will members come together at an annual conference in the future? Why? How? What services will so delight members that they’ll prize the association above all others?  Curiousity rarely, if ever, “killed the cat” and it will help us discover the questions, re-frame our assumptions, and design the future we want, need and will delight in.

Get involved in SLA’s Strategic Vision Project. Stand in the future & see the SLA that will be indispensable for you – and contribute your voice here.(http://futureready365.sla.org/05/27/sla-strategic-vision-project/)

Jane Dysart, Juanita Richardson & Kim Silk at SLA2010

Jane Dysart, Juanita Richardson & Kim Silk at SLA2010

 

 

]]> http://dysartjones.com/2011/06/curious-enough-to-question-orthodoxies/feed/ 0 Innovations bring promise & peril http://dysartjones.com/2011/04/sla-pht-thinking-strategically/ http://dysartjones.com/2011/04/sla-pht-thinking-strategically/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:50:26 +0000 Rebecca Jones http://dysartjones.com/?p=2254 Fantastic SLA PH&T Division conference at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, began with Kevin Davies, Chief Editor Bio-IT World and author of The $1,000 Genome (Free Press 2010). He’s an unbelievably engaging, articulate, funny & informed speaker.  And he explored the revolution in DNA sequencing technologies, personal genomics and the evolving environment of personalized medicine.  Yep. Personalized medicine.  Today, for $200, you can spit in a cup & have your DNA screened; this isn’t the detailed DNA sequencing that identifies EVERYTHING about your physiological make-up, but it can identify significant abnormalities in your DNA — such as a man whose screening revealed he had advanced prostate cancer with NO symptoms.  Talk about customized — he was able to take the results to his doctor and steps were taken (surgery, cancer treatment) to save his life.  As the price point of DNA sequencing continues to drop, how will people handle this information? what’s the impact on the medical system? on the insurance system? Certainly DNA sequencing will help with drug develop, patient stratification and tailoring treatment; it will also raise huge questions regarding how organizations and insurers handle this information.  Davies ended with the premise of “the 15 minute genome by 2014″. 

Yo.  That’s a premise. Holding much promise & peril.  Every evolution, revolution & innovation brings promise & peril.

And that’s what struck me as I gave a talk about Thinking Strategically & Critically.  As we consider & question our assumptions regarding access and resources, we open up possibilities. And, with possibilities —

Continue reading Innovations bring promise & peril

]]> Fantastic SLA PH&T Division conference at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, began with Kevin Davies, Chief Editor Bio-IT World and author of The $1,000 Genome (Free Press 2010). He’s an unbelievably engaging, articulate, funny & informed speaker.  And he explored the revolution in DNA sequencing technologies, personal genomics and the evolving environment of personalized medicine.  Yep. Personalized medicine.  Today, for $200, you can spit in a cup & have your DNA screened; this isn’t the detailed DNA sequencing that identifies EVERYTHING about your physiological make-up, but it can identify significant abnormalities in your DNA — such as a man whose screening revealed he had advanced prostate cancer with NO symptoms.  Talk about customized — he was able to take the results to his doctor and steps were taken (surgery, cancer treatment) to save his life.  As the price point of DNA sequencing continues to drop, how will people handle this information? what’s the impact on the medical system? on the insurance system? Certainly DNA sequencing will help with drug develop, patient stratification and tailoring treatment; it will also raise huge questions regarding how organizations and insurers handle this information.  Davies ended with the premise of “the 15 minute genome by 2014″. 

Yo.  That’s a premise. Holding much promise & peril.  Every evolution, revolution & innovation brings promise & peril.

And that’s what struck me as I gave a talk about Thinking Strategically & Critically.  As we consider & question our assumptions regarding access and resources, we open up possibilities. And, with possibilities — with dreams — with change comes promise & peril.  Speakers here are talking about artificial hearts, artificial skin — incredible potential, promise & peril.

Is it scary to redefine our services, our roles & processes? It’s far scarier NOT to. No peril? Then no promise.

 

Sla pharma thinking strategically & critically seeing possibilities for web
View more presentations from Rebecca Jones

]]> http://dysartjones.com/2011/04/sla-pht-thinking-strategically/feed/ 0 The Corporate Library http://dysartjones.com/2009/06/the-corporate-library/ http://dysartjones.com/2009/06/the-corporate-library/#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:21:28 +0000 Jane Dysart http://www.dysartjones.com/?p=738 Isn’t it interesting that as the Special Libraries Association, a 11,000+ member organization representing corporate, government, industry, medical, hospital, and legal libraries as well as other specialized libraries residing in larger institutions, discusses once again a possible name change to the 100 year old organization that a there is an organization called The Corporate Library.  Out of Portland, ME, The Corporate Library is a 10 year old research firm that tracks corporate governance issues.  Huh.

]]> Isn’t it interesting that as the Special Libraries Association, a 11,000+ member organization representing corporate, government, industry, medical, hospital, and legal libraries as well as other specialized libraries residing in larger institutions, discusses once again a possible name change to the 100 year old organization that a there is an organization called The Corporate Library.  Out of Portland, ME, The Corporate Library is a 10 year old research firm that tracks corporate governance issues.  Huh.

]]> http://dysartjones.com/2009/06/the-corporate-library/feed/ 0 Made to Last: Celebrating 100 years http://dysartjones.com/2009/04/made-to-last-celebrating-100-years/ http://dysartjones.com/2009/04/made-to-last-celebrating-100-years/#comments Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:37:55 +0000 Jane Dysart http://www.dysartjones.com/?p=661 SLA is 100!

It must have been a very interesting world in 1909.  Here are three immediate (to me) organizations celebrating their centennials.  The Special Libraries Association, an organization representing 12,000+ librarians with specialized collections and services in corporations (law firms, banks, pharmaceuticals, manufacturers, hospitals, ettc) around the work, celebrates their centennial this year.  The Toronto chapter of SLA is having a gala to celebrate next month — I’m very excited about attending.  The association’s 100th annual conference is being held in June in DC (where SLA’s HQ has been for many years, including when I was President in 1995/6).  Should be a great event starting off with keynote speaker Colin Powell.

And now we are into ice hockey NHL playoffs and the Montreal Canadiens are 100!  Check out the many jerseys and logos from their past.  I am not a Canadiens fan but I certainly respect their longevity and strength over the years.  It will be interesting to see what’s in their future.

Leons is a furniture store in my area and it is 100 years old too.  Quite a history.  I was most impressed that the current CEO went across Canada celebrating with all the employees.  Nice.

]]> SLA is 100!

SLA is 100!

It must have been a very interesting world in 1909.  Here are three immediate (to me) organizations celebrating their centennials.  The Special Libraries Association, an organization representing 12,000+ librarians with specialized collections and services in corporations (law firms, banks, pharmaceuticals, manufacturers, hospitals, ettc) around the work, celebrates their centennial this year.  The Toronto chapter of SLA is having a gala to celebrate next month — I’m very excited about attending.  The association’s 100th annual conference is being held in June in DC (where SLA’s HQ has been for many years, including when I was President in 1995/6).  Should be a great event starting off with keynote speaker Colin Powell.

And now we are into ice hockey NHL playoffs and the Montreal Canadiens are 100!  Check out the many jerseys and logos from their past.  I am not a Canadiens fan but I certainly respect their longevity and strength over the years.  It will be interesting to see what’s in their future.

Leons is a furniture store in my area and it is 100 years old too.  Quite a history.  I was most impressed that the current CEO went across Canada celebrating with all the employees.  Nice.

]]> http://dysartjones.com/2009/04/made-to-last-celebrating-100-years/feed/ 0 New Acting Law Librarian of Congress http://dysartjones.com/2009/03/new-acting-law-librarian-of-congress/ http://dysartjones.com/2009/03/new-acting-law-librarian-of-congress/#comments Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:27:55 +0000 Jane Dysart http://www.dysartjones.com/?p=617 Congratulations to Donna Scheeder on her new appointment as Acting Law Librarian of Congress.  The Law Library of Congress is the largest law library in the world with over 50% of its collection in languages other than English.  The Legal Reseearch Directorate advises the US Congress on foreign and comparative law.  Here’s a recent interview with Donna that Mary Dee Ojala did about the Global Legal Information Network, GLIN, an international co-operative that is headquartered in the Law Library of Congress.  The Law Library is the content owner of THOMAS, the database of congressional bills, documents and laws. Staff of the Law Library reading room remain available to Congress whenever they are in session.

Donna is also very active in her Capital Hill community and is currently the Chair of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee.  The market will be moving back to its historic building in July following rehabilitation after a devastating fire in 2007.  Donna will be receiving the Capitol Hill Achievement Award at a dinner benefiting the Capitol Hill Community Foundation on April 22, 2009.

Donna is very active in the library community.  She is a past president of the Special Libraries Association, a former member of the Governing Board of International Federation of Libary Association and Institutions (IFLA),  and on the advisory committees for Computers in Libraries and Internet Librarian.

]]> Congratulations to Donna Scheeder on her new appointment as Acting Law Librarian of Congress.  The Law Library of Congress is the largest law library in the world with over 50% of its collection in languages other than English.  The Legal Reseearch Directorate advises the US Congress on foreign and comparative law.  Here’s a recent interview with Donna that Mary Dee Ojala did about the Global Legal Information Network, GLIN, an international co-operative that is headquartered in the Law Library of Congress.  The Law Library is the content owner of THOMAS, the database of congressional bills, documents and laws. Staff of the Law Library reading room remain available to Congress whenever they are in session.

Donna is also very active in her Capital Hill community and is currently the Chair of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee.  The market will be moving back to its historic building in July following rehabilitation after a devastating fire in 2007.  Donna will be receiving the Capitol Hill Achievement Award at a dinner benefiting the Capitol Hill Community Foundation on April 22, 2009.

Donna is very active in the library community.  She is a past president of the Special Libraries Association, a former member of the Governing Board of International Federation of Libary Association and Institutions (IFLA),  and on the advisory committees for Computers in Libraries and Internet Librarian.

]]> http://dysartjones.com/2009/03/new-acting-law-librarian-of-congress/feed/ 1