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94:, who served as the first president of SLA from 1909 to 1911. In the years prior to SLA's founding Dana and other librarians saw an increasing demand for the types of materials that specialized libraries could provide, and recognized that as information professionals working in such settings responded to the demands of their jobs they were creating a new kind of librarianship. Also, many of them were working as professional librarians but largely without the professional support enjoyed by other librarians and professionals. The group sought to address their common problems by banding together. Their goal, as stated in the first issue of
102:
Academic; Biomedical & Life
Sciences; Business & Finance; Chemistry; Competitive Intelligence; Education; Engineering; Environment & Resource Management; Food, Agriculture & Nutrition; Government Information; Information Technology; Insurance & Employee Benefits; Knowledge Management; Legal; Leadership & Management; Military Libraries; Museums, Arts & Humanities; News; Petroleum & Energy Resources; Pharmaceutical & Health Technology; Physics-Astronomy-Mathematics; Science-Technology; Social Science; Solo Librarians; Taxonomy; and Transportation.
155:
president who is elected for a one-year term. An executive director selected by the board oversees the day-to-day management and functions of SLA. SLA Welcomed Amy
Lestition Burke, CAE, as its executive director in May 2016. Burke had been serving SLA as vice president of success since 1 March, when SLA entered into an agreement with association management company MCI USA (formerly Coulter Companies) to manage its operations.
116:
special librarian does. John Cotton Dana himself acknowledged the inadequacy of the name in the years following SLA's founding but noted the term was chosen by default as no other term would be as accurate yet encompassing. This debate continues today among organization members and official name changes were considered in 1982, 2003, and 2009 but they were eventually voted down by the membership.
246:
warranting action. No more than five SLA members can be selected as a Fellow in any given year. Individuals receiving this honor are able to use the title Fellow of the
Special Libraries Association. (Members who are currently serving on the SLA Board of Directors are ineligible for designation as Fellows.)
154:
The SLA is governed by a board of directors who are elected by the membership according to the parameters set out in the SLA's bylaws. The board of directors is responsible for the overall direction and management of the SLA and selects the organization's officers. The board of directors is led by a
145:
analyst, researcher, or information specialist. Given the rapid adoption of information technologies for selecting, analyzing, managing, storing, and delivering information and knowledge, the average SLA member might be performing a range of services and employing a diverse mix of skills related to,
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outstanding leadership, innovative programming, or creative use of electronic resources contribute to increased membership and expanded professional development. SAAAC awards are made based on documented quantitative and qualitative evidence pertaining to one or more of the following award criteria:
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is bestowed on active, mid-career SLA members in recognition of past, present and future service to the association and the profession. Fellows are called upon and expected to advise the association's board of directors, prepare necessary documentation, and alert the membership to issues and trends
124:
SLA membership is open to any person or organization. Members pay annual dues to SLA and additional fees for any
Chapter, Division, or Caucus memberships they wish to obtain. Members of SLA typically possess a master's degree in library or information science and may have an advanced degree in a
230:
SLA activities include conferences, professional education, networking, and advocacy. The SLA Annual
Conference & INFO-EXPO, usually held in the summer, includes education programs, networking events, and information exhibits. The SLA 2017 Annual Conference took place in Phoenix. The SLA 2018
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or special librarian. For some, the term was too specific in that it had been used on a limited basis to that time to define reference collections which were limited or narrow in some way. For others, the term was too broad, focusing on a general type of collection rather than the work that the
101:
The SLA is now an international organization with members in over 75 countries and is organized by 55 regional
Chapters. Additionally, the SLA also has a number of Divisions devoted to specific topic areas. Many Divisions also include Sections for sub-specialties. The current Divisions include:
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are presented by the SLA Student and
Academic Affairs Advisory Council (SAAAC) in recognition of the active development and participation of student members through their involvement in SLA Student Group activities. Through these awards the SAAAC recognizes and honors SLA Student Groups whose
98:, was to "unite in co-operation all small libraries throughout the country; financial, commercial, scientific, industrial; and special departments of state, college and general libraries; and, in fact, all libraries devoted to special purposes and serving a limited clientage."
141:, many information professionals today do not actually work in a library setting. They actively apply their specialized skills to support the information needs of their organizations. SLA members fill many non-traditional librarian roles such as corporate
110:
From the time of the founding of the SLA there has been some controversy surrounding the terminology used in the name
Special Libraries Association. At the time of SLAs founding there was an almost immediate backlash against the term
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Each of the regional
Chapters and topical Divisions of SLA also elects officers and conducts meetings in a similar fashion to SLA. Members are entitled to vote in board elections for each Chapter or Division in which they pay dues.
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are given to SLA members for important or notable contributions advancing the SLA's goal or objectives during the previous year. The
Presidential Citations are given at the pleasure of the SLA President.
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is presented annually to up to five new SLA members who have been members for no more than five years and show exceptional promise of leadership and contribution to the association and profession.
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is the SLA's top honor and is awarded to an individual in recognition of a lifetime of achievement and exceptional service to the SLA. (This should not be confused with the
167:
Committees and Councils are established by the board of directors in order to coordinate its activities relating to achieving the goals and objectives of the association.
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but not exclusive of, library science. In fact, it is likely a special librarian does not work in a library, but rather an information center or resource center.
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is presented to an SLA member near the end of their professional career in recognition of service and contributions to the SLA and its goal and objectives.
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Annual Conference was held 9–13 June 2018, in Baltimore, Maryland. The SLA 2019 Annual Conference is scheduled to be held 13–18 June in Cleveland, Ohio.
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351:(1910–1996), a journal containing articles and columns on cataloging and indexing, book reviews, and information about the Special Library Association.
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The Special Libraries Association was founded in 1909 in the United States by a group of librarians working in specialized settings, led by
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Recipients receive complimentary registration for the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO in the year in which they receive the award.
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Heightened profile of the SLA Student Group within their own school, on their own campus, or in the professional community
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Several other awards are given out at the Chapter and Division level as well at the SLA Annual Conference.
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Increased or enhanced profile of special librarianship and/or SLA within the academic or broader community
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working in business, government, law, finance, non-profit, and academic organizations and institutions.
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is given to a mid-career SLA member who actively teaches or mentors students or working professionals.
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363:, a bimonthly online professional/trade magazine. Publication ceased with the March-April 2020 issue.
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622:"SLA Welcomes Amy Lestition Burke, CAE, as New Executive Director – Special Libraries Association"
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Expanded professional development opportunities (both formal and informal)
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Success in bringing educators and practicing special librarians together
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Promoted the visibility of SLA or the value of information professionals
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Performed outstanding work and professional activities on behalf of SLA
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409:. 2nd ed. Vol. 4. New York: Dekker. p. 2723–2731; here: p. 2723–2724.
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Special Libraries Association: The Importance of Leadership
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Actively participated in SLA units and association programs
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Nominees must meet at least one of the following criteria:
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related field such as law, medicine or engineering. While
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The SLA presents several awards, some on an annual basis.
133:, news libraries, corporate libraries, museum libraries,
580:"Membership Application – Special Libraries Association"
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49:
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Emergency Preparedness & Recovery Advisory Council
671:"Award Descriptions – Special Libraries Association"
502:
500:
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Nominating Committee Online Content Advisory Council
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845:Black Caucus of the American Library Association
407:Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science
312:SLA Committee/Council/Unit Recognition Programs
254:John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award
204:Students and New Professionals Advisory Council
840:Association of Architecture School Librarians
830:Asian Pacific American Librarians Association
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1244:Organizations based in Alexandria, Virginia
835:Association for Rural & Small Libraries
484:"Divisions – Special Libraries Association"
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542:What's So Special About Special Libraries?
463:"Chapters – Special Libraries Association"
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1239:Library-related professional associations
797:Library associations of the United States
382:"History – Special Libraries Association"
198:Professional Development Advisory Council
1213:North Carolina Negro Library Association
825:American Theological Library Association
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298:Developed notable innovations on the job
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213:Transition CommitteeTransition Committee
855:Chinese American Librarians Association
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1187:Pacific Northwest Library Association
810:American Association of Law Libraries
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177:Joint Governance and Bylaws Committee
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189:Information Outlook Advisory Council
1177:Mountain Plains Library Association
815:American Indian Library Association
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1208:Columbia Civic Library Association
540:Murray, Tara E. (December 2013). "
507:Williams, Robert (December 2009).
419:Cromer, Donna E. (December 2009).
323:Increased student group membership
171:Annual Conference Advisory Council
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1249:Organizations established in 1909
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546:Journal of Library Administration
429:Journal of Library Administration
201:Public Relations Advisory Council
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1192:Southeastern Library Association
511:Centennial Reflections on a Name
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875:Online Audiovisual Catalogers
709:. Accessed December 14, 2020.
690:. Accessed December 14, 2020.
647:Special Libraries Association
405:." In Miriam A. Drake (Ed.),
403:Special Libraries Association
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64:Special Libraries Association
22:Special Libraries Association
880:Progressive Librarians Guild
850:Catholic Library Association
820:American Library Association
558:10.1080/01930826.2013.865395
258:American Library Association
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860:Medical Library Association
210:Technology Advisory Council
192:Membership Advisory Council
174:Awards and Honors Committee
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724:. Accessed August 9, 2015.
226:The SLA conference in 2012
186:Industry Partners Alliance
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865:Music Library Association
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707:San Jose State University
688:San Jose State University
441:10.1080/01930820903397226
401:Bender, David R (2003). "
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80:information professionals
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143:competitive intelligence
139:transportation libraries
72:professional association
16:Professional association
686:SJSU ScholarWorks, via
271:Rose L. Vormelker Award
163:Committees and councils
719:"Information Outlook."
700:"Information Outlook."
359:(1997–2020), formerly
264:Presidential Citations
250:John Cotton Dana Award
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70:) is an international
643:"Awards Descriptions"
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684:"Special Libraries."
756:Information Outlook
520:Information Outlook
357:Information Outlook
150:Governing structure
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316:SAAAC Merit Awards
284:James M. Matarazzo
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106:Naming controversy
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762:SJSU ScholarWorks
750:SJSU ScholarWorks
744:Special Libraries
703:SJSU ScholarWorks
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349:Special Libraries
286:Rising Star Award
256:, awarded by the
243:Fellowship in SLA
183:Finance Committee
135:medical libraries
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601:"SLA Bylaws"
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35:Headquarters
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936:Connecticut
722:www.sla.org
606:20 November
585:20 November
526:(1): 16–22.
1233:Categories
1141:Washington
1061:New Mexico
1056:New Jersey
926:California
489:8 November
368:References
218:Activities
120:Membership
1156:Wisconsin
1116:Tennessee
1021:Minnesota
996:Louisiana
652:4 January
468:6 October
387:6 October
27:Formation
1170:Regional
1136:Virginia
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1066:New York
1041:Nebraska
1031:Missouri
1016:Michigan
1006:Maryland
991:Kentucky
971:Illinois
941:Delaware
931:Colorado
921:Arkansas
803:National
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449:62211445
129:include
1201:Defunct
1161:Wyoming
1131:Vermont
1036:Montana
976:Indiana
951:Georgia
946:Florida
916:Arizona
906:Alabama
885:REFORMA
758:archive
746:archive
86:History
76:library
45:Website
1091:Oregon
1046:Nevada
986:Kansas
961:Hawaii
911:Alaska
705:, via
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235:Awards
137:, and
1121:Texas
1001:Maine
966:Idaho
899:State
870:NASIG
562:S2CID
516:(PDF)
445:S2CID
1126:Utah
1081:Ohio
981:Iowa
956:Guam
654:2019
629:2016
608:2014
587:2014
491:2014
470:2014
389:2014
314:and
78:and
74:for
62:The
54:.org
52:.sla
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760:at
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554:doi
544:".
437:doi
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68:SLA
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
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