SLA Social Science Division Blog

Nonprofit Learning Session: Making Taxonomies Interoperable

From our Nonprofit Sector Section Chair, Sophia Guevara:

The next scheduled learning session will be held on Thursday, September 8th @ 2PM (ET).  The presenter, Josh Shortlidge, will be speaking about InterEthos, an open source project that makes taxonomies interoperable.  Here is the session description:

InterEthos - Making Taxonomies Interoperable

What if internet users could search for your content in multiple languages? What if not only were your taxonomies internationalized, but they were also correlated with other important taxonomies of your choosing? What if all the time and energy that people spend indexing their own content is suddenly combined into a universal system of correlated indexed content?

Josh Shortlidge will provide a 30-minute presentation on an innovative taxonomy tool that allows for collaborative taxonomy building.  Make sure to mark your calendars for September 8th at 2PM so that you can call in to the teleconference to learn more.

You can register for this session using this link - the deadline for registering is August 31st.  (Make sure to write down the call-in information you will receive in the registration confirmation page).  Here is the link to the presentation so you can follow along on the conference call.

Library Day in the Life

The Library Day in the Life Project round 7 begins today. (Actually, it began yesterday for me, as I started noticing Library Day in the Life posts from librarians in Australia.) This is a great way for SLA members to show the world what they do all day (and for our student members, or those contemplating a career change, to see what others do).

From the project wiki:

The Library Day in the Life Project is a semi-annual event coordinated by Bobbi Newman of Librarian by Day. Twice a year librarians, library staff and library students from all over the globe share a day (or week) in their life through blog posts, photos, video and Twitter updates.

To see what everyone is doing so far, check blogs, Flickr, and YouTube for librarydayinthelife and Twitter for #libday7. There is also a Facebook page.

 

DSOC Nonprofit Section to offer teleconference on knowledge management in nonprofits

From the DSOC Nonprofit Section:

Ms. Jan Combopiano will be presenting a 30-minute session on knowledge management in non-profits on July 26th @3PM EDT. She currently serves as the Vice President and Chief Knowledge Officer for Catalyst. The session description is provided below:

Big Picture, Small Budget: Knowledge Management in Non-Profits Money isn’t everything – knowledge management can be successful in non-profits, even with little (or practically no) resources. A strategy, however, is essential. Learn how change management principles can be adapted for this purpose, as well as practical advice for the reality of working in a non-profit.

Register now!

Position Available: Director of Library Services

Position Available: Director of Library Services

Mathematica Policy Research is the leading research organization conducting social policy studies on health care, education, nutrition, disability, welfare, employment, and related topics. We bring the highest standards of quality, objectivity, and excellence to bear on the work we do for our clients, which include federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as private foundations. Mathematica is an employee-owned company known for its rigorous research and collegial working environment.

 Mathematica seeks an experienced, dynamic, and team-oriented leader to join a six-person library team as it brings an established collection into the 21st century and reimagines the library function within a research organization. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker who is well grounded in library administration and organizational development, as well as emerging trends in information science and electronic resource management. S/he will also be motivated and flexible, with a record of developing and implementing innovative ideas and inspiring others. In addition to providing staff access to paper and electronic resources, on site and off, the library is charged with developing and maintaining a comprehensive, current research collection, supporting literature reviews, and setting up information systems to support projects. The library also provides training related to information search skills and tools, and works closely with information systems and communications staff to manage, maintain, and disseminate knowledge and information.

 Responsibilities

 Establish a vision for the library and update library policies, practices, and procedures accordingly

• Develop, implement, and monitor a strategic library plan with goals and objectives that support the company’s strategic plan and vision
• Recruit and supervise library professional and support staff and make staff development recommendations to ensure that the library provides excellence in information services
• Promote the use of library services throughout the organization
• Support project needs for literature searches, information management, and tracking, and respond to changes in project needs, objectives, and priorities to continuously improve effectiveness of operations
• Serve as primary liaison and negotiator with outside vendors
• Ensure the effective administration, coordination, and provision of support for all aspects of existing library technology, including the EOS system
• Serve as liaison with management, IT, and the communications department
• Compile and analyze data in order to provide statistical information to senior management on use of library services
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of an internal library website that anticipates and responds to the needs of users
• Develop and maintain professional affiliations and contact with other libraries to encourage cooperative resource sharing programs

Minimum Qualifications

 ALA-accredited MLS and five years experience managing a special library, or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Prior management of staff and a strong background with technology, including experience with database design/management
• A background in an area of social policy research would be a plus
• Strategic thinker with ability to plan, develop, and implement policies, goals, and objectives
• Knowledge of professional library principles, methods, materials, practices, and procedures
• Creative thinker, with an ability to expand organizational understanding of what the “library of the future” should be, and the services such a library can provide
• Experience in using information technology for knowledge management
• Knowledge of budgeting procedures
• Proven record of vendor identification and successful negotiation
• Excellent communication skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels
• Knowledge of electronic resource management, including searching and metadata, as well as harvesting and repurposing of existing data
• Willingness to travel to other office locations

 This position will be located in Princeton, NJ, or Washington, DC.

 Please submit your letter of interest (including salary requirements), your resume, a writing sample, and contact information for three references via our online application process at https://careers.mathematica-mpr.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51781

 Mathematica is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Lyle Minter to receive 2011 Gale Cengage Murray Wortzel Award

Lyle Minter has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 Gale Cengage Murray Wortzel Award.

The award will be presented at the SLA International Reception, 6 p.m., June 13, 2011, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia. 

The Wortzel Award, presented biennially by the SLA Social Science Division and sponsored by Gale Cengage, honors Murray Wortzel, a long-time member of the Social Science Division and member of the SLA Hall of Fame. Wortzel’s commitment and devotion to the library profession are at the heart of this award, which seeks to honor those who exemplify his spirit.

As Chair of the Social Science Division, I am pleased to honor Lyle’s years of service to the division, the association, and the library profession.

Lyle has served the Social Science Division in many capacities, including as its Chair, Membership Chair, Webmaster, and (presently) Program Planner. He has lent his talents and dedication to SLA’s Finance, Nominating, Diversity Leadership Development Program, Tellers, Program Planners, and Bylaws Committees. He has also been a leader within the Washington, DC Chapter of SLA, having served as Public Relations Chair and President.

During his distinguished career, Lyle has worked for the U.S. Department of the Army, the Pentagon Library, and the Library of Congress, where he presently manages the Foreign Affairs, Defense & Trade Consulting Section of the Knowledge Services Group within the Congressional Research Service.

Lyle has served with enthusiasm, but also with thought and care, as evidenced by the creative group of programs he has organized for the Social Science Division while keeping costs low. His achievements have already been recognized by DC/SLA, which twice gave him the Board of Directors Award, and by the Association when he was selected as an SLA Fellow in 2004.

I would like to thank the members of the 2011 Social Science Division Awards Committee for their work: Marilyn Bromley (chair), Beth Hansen, and Vanette Schwartz.

Introducing the DSOC 2011 Mobile Conference Planner!

Keep track of all of the Social Science Division events at SLA 2011 in Philly with our DSOC mobile planner!  The site is optimized for iPhone and Android devices but will work with Blackberry as well.  Clink on the link below or quickly snap a capture of the QR code with your mobile device to access and bookmark the page.   http://sladsoc2011.wirenode.mobi/  

 

-Melissa Gustafson, DSOC Webmaster 

Better than a Cheese Steak: DSOC's SLA Conference Sessions

Maybe that headline is a bit of an exaggeration, but just think you can both have your Cheesesteak AND attend some great conference sessions this year in the great city of Philadelphia. Here's another helping of sessions of interest to Social Science Division members:

Tuesday, June 14

10:00am - 11:30am: Locating and Using the Best Information On Doing Business in Emerging Markets:  Sponsored by the Economist Intelligence Unit and ProQuest Dialog, this session will present some essential sources that provide timely and relevant information about emerging markets in developing nations. This session will also be a part of the Need to Know Forum for those who just wish to sample a day of events at the conference. Join speakers Ellen Lytton Manager, Information Center , Overseas Private/a>Investment Corp; and Karen White , Senior Librarian and Team Lead, Knowledge Services Center , USAID for this informative session.

 

 

 

5:30pm - 7:00pm: Joint Poster Session and Open House (co-sponsored with Academic; Education; and Museum, Arts, and Humanities Divisions): Take some time to relax, network with colleagues, and peruse some creative and informative posters created by your colleagues. 

 

Wednesday, June 15

10:0am - 11:30am: Tour of Free Library of Philadelphia's Map Collection: Join the Geography and Map Section for this fascinating look at the historical and valuable maps in the Free Library of Philadelphia. This tour will be led by the curators of the collection and is limited to 20 attendees.  For more information or to sign up for the tour, contact Vanette Schwartz .

We think DSOC  has a great lineup of programs for you this year and hope you're excited too. If you haven't had time to register, take a moment to do so now!

Gettin' Ready for Philly: DSOC Conference Sessions

The SLA 2011 Annual Conference is only weeks away - June 12-15 in Philadelphia, PA. Here are a few highlights of Social Science Division programs -- with more highlights in the days to come.

Monday:

8:00am - 9:30:am Social Science Division Annual Business Meeting and Breakfast: If you are a new member to DSOC or you've been around a while and would like to get more involved in the Division, attending the annual business meeting is a great way to meet other Division members, find out the latest news, events and happenings in our group, and learn about opportunities to participate more fully in Division activities. There is a $20 registration fee for this event to cover the cost of a tasty, hot buffet breakfast.

10:00am- 11:30am:  Know Your Workplace Rights!: Sponsored by BNA, this session will provide the ins and outs on key issues affecting workers such as privacy, discrminiation, sexual harassment, and more. You will gain knowledge on where workers stand in these important issues and what recourse an employee may have if certain rights are violated. This session will feature speakers Amy Rosenberger who is a Partner at Willig, Williams & Davison; and Donald Aplin , Senior Legal Editor , Privacy & Security Law Report, BNA.

 

2:00pm - 3:00pm: What in the World Are They Thinking? Tracking Public Opinion in the United States and Around the  World: Learn about major public opinion tools such as Gallup, Roper and Pew, as well as international sources at this session sponsnored by Ebsco. The featured panelists are:  Rhonda McGinnis , Business/Economics Subject Specialist , Wayne State University Librarie; Lois Timms-Ferrara , Associate Director, The Roper Center , University of Connecticut; and Jen Darragh , Librarian for Data Services and Government Information , Johns Hopkins University.

2:00pm -3:30pm: A Walking Tour of Philadelphia's Art in Public Spaces: Get out and stretch your legs for a while by seeing some of the sights that are part of the city's Art in Public Spaces program. This tour is limited to the first 25 attendees and tickets are $25.00 each.

6:00pm - 7:30pm: International Reception: It has been said that "the world is a global village," and the library and information professions are becoming increasingly globally networked day by day.  All conference attendees are invited to this reception (yes, food and drinks!) to celebrate the international activities of our association.

 

At the reception,the 2011 Gale Cengage Murrray Wortzel Award will be presented. This award recognizes a Division member who has made outstanding and/or sustained contributions to Division activities. In addition, the SLA Europe Information Professional  Award (sponsored by Dow Jones) will also be presented.  This event is located at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, just across from the Convention Center.

If you haven't registered for the conference yet, there is still time. We look forward to seeing everybody there!

 

 

Board member profile: Matt Von Hendy

Continuing my series of introductions to your 2011 DSOC board members, I'd like to introduce Matt Von Hendy, Chair of the Public Policy Section.

Matt is a Research Librarian at the National Academies of Science in Washington, DC. He has been an SLA member for 5 years and a DSOC member for 3 years.

Although he currently lives in the Washington, DC area, Matt is a native Bostonian. He is also an avid runner, baseball fan, and birder.

Matt will be moderating the Public Policy Section program at SLA 2011 in Philadelphia, "Tracking Public Opinion in the US and Abroad."

Matt says, "I look forward to seeing many of you at the session!"

How to have a great time in Philly

SLA 2011 in Philadelphia is just over a month away! DSOC member Elana Broch reminded me that she wrote an article for Information Outlook with some tips for making the most out of your SLA conference. The article, called "How to Have a Great Time in Toronto," was published in April 2005 - but the tips are still relevant and not specific to Toronto. SLA members can access the article from the SLA website.

If you're looking for information specific to Philadelphia, from how to get there to where to get your cheesesteak, the Philadelphia Chapter (my home chapter) has created a hospitality wiki.

DSOC members should also plan to attend the DSOC Business Meeting and Breakfast on Monday morning, to meet other division members and get an overview of division programs. You'll need a ticket for the breakfast, which you can purchase from the conference registration website. (If you've already registered, you can return to the registration site to add a ticket to the breakfast.)

See you in Philly!