Special Libraries Association Stipend Award Essay

Leslie Wolf

I read on QUICKSLIS about a $1,200 student stipend to attend the 2007 SLA Conference in Denver. It is awarded by the Business & Finance Division, and since I have a business background, it didn’t seem too hard to meet the requirements--a resume, letter of recommendation, and short essay. I pulled up a current resume and drafted a letter of recommendation for my advisor to approve. Then came the hard part: a 2-page essay around the conference theme, “Rising to New Heights.” (I waited till the last minute on that part, and realized after the deadline that I didn’t actually use the words “Rising to New Heights.”)

I was surprised and pleased to get a letter telling me I had won a stipend. There were four winners from around the country, as well as a student from Germany. The Division is certainly generous; the stipend covered my entire trip. The awardees assisted with Continuing Education courses the weekend before the conference and were honored at a Division awards ceremony. We were asked to serve on a committee, so I signed up for the mentoring initiative. I love mentoring, and it’s clear that the Division is committed to nurturing new librarians both here and abroad.

The conference was a great event. I met new people everywhere: on the airport shuttle; walking to the conference center; going to various evening parties; and attending the learning sessions. I also loved connecting with some of my SLIS classmates and getting to know them better – it was nice to see some friendly faces in a big conference hall.

And I vow to keep my resume up to date for the next opportunity!

This is my award-winning essay.

Embracing Paradigm Shift:
The Biggest Challenge Facing Information Professionals Today

The Library of Congress laid down the gauntlet on the biggest challenge facing our profession. In August of 2006, it announced a voluntary retirement incentive for librarians who could not or would not update their skills for the digital era. More than an incentive, this was really shorthand for stating the true challenge – having the courage and grace to embrace the constant change of the digital era. These new skills are not technical – those learned in classrooms – but rather profound life skills that promote continuous, thoughtful, and successful change.

New Learning Styles: Information professionals must be collaborative rather than authoritative; they are not only information providers but coaches in information-seeking skills. They must constantly learn to embrace each generation’s learning style, providing tools that meet those learning styles. They must always be aware of changes in our culture and work in new ways to meet society’s needs. They must value our rich library-centric history and culture while looking forward without regret for the old ways.

New Technologies: Technology is now a primary framework for our society – it provides both the push and the pull that has structured our world. Information professionals must eagerly watch the way new generations use applications such as social networking, and adapt them to provide content and services within that networking structure. The professional who understands not only the application but its underlying technology will always be ready for “the next new thing” in collaborative tools.

Management Skills: Many young library school students feel that library management classes are a waste of time, stating: “I could never be a manager; I’d be afraid to take on the responsibility.” Management skills of all types are crucial; every organization is eager to hire those who can confidently manage people as well as projects, processes, and technologies.

Skills Portability: Those who label themselves solely as “librarians” will only see the job market narrowing. Those who label themselves as “information professionals” will perceive a rich job market demanding portable skills and accomplishments. Those with the right skills can look forward to being hired by technology companies, digital archives, private libraries, or emerging business segments not yet imagined.

Confidence: Many librarians joke that the profession of librarianship attracts introverts. Information professionals can no longer afford to hide behind this confining (if comforting) stereotype; nor should they want to do so. Professionals whose introversion hinders their progress would do well to learn from the marketing profession. They must honor themselves by presenting their skills and accomplishments with verve and self-assurance.

Courage: Information professionals of today are in for a wild ride. Those who learn and grow, who embrace new ideas and new technologies, will thrive. They must embrace our constantly shifting paradigm with courage, and teach others to do the same.