SLA-SD’s 50th Anniversary Party

We partied like it was … 1960! Okay, so it wasn’t too wild or crazy. But a good time was had by all as we gathered at the Corvette Diner in the historic Liberty Station on May 22, 2010, to celebrate our chapter’s 50th anniversary. Yes, while many of us were just kids (or not yet born) and totally unaware of our future careers as librarians, a group of dedicated professionals led by W. Roy Holleman started the chapter with 30 founding members. And now, 50 years later, we honored their legacy with a gathering that included members and leaders from all five ensuing decades.

The room was a-buzz as we mingled and bingo-ed.

In a room decked out with retro music posters and a diner motif, we started the event with a mingling game known as People Bingo. Attendees were given a bingo sheet and invited to find and talk to colleagues who matched the descriptions in the boxes such as “works in a medical library,” “retired,” “student member,” etc. The room was buzzing with networking librarians, but everyone seemed to have trouble filling the “information broker” square (we missed you, Cindy Shamel!) When all was said and done, Martha McPhail was one of four finalists who filled the most squares and won the game. She received a gift certificate to Warwick’s bookstore and a ‘60s music CD.

After mingling and taking our seats, current chapter president Bobbi Weaver welcomed us and started the program by acknowledging the contributions of our founders, our ability to adapt to changes in the profession over the years, and the likelihood of continued challenges that we and our successors will meet in the future.

We then heard from four past presidents: Kathy Wright (1977-78), Barbara Busch (1975-76), Mike Perkins (1998-99), and Linda Counts (1995-96 & 2006-07). Each reflected on their tenures as president and the importance of the San Diego chapter in their careers. Finally, Grace Viola, the chapter’s 2008 scholarship winner, was given the unenviable assignment of representing “our future.” She rose to the occasion with her story of being personally inspired at a chapter event attended by former SLA association president Gloria Zamora.

We had a huge and much-appreciated turnout of past chapter presidents, sixteen strong!

At one point, Bobbi asked the attendees to stand up according to the decade in which we joined the San Diego chapter. Barbara Busch edged out Kathy Wright as our longest-tenured member in attendance. It was also heartening to see a number of students and recent graduates at the gathering. I wonder what kind of celebration they’ll plan for the 75th anniversary? (It’s never too soon to form that committee!)

There was also a bit of pomp and circumstance at the event. Britt Mueller, the chapter’s president-elect, read a proclamation from San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders declaring May 22, 2010, to be “San Diego Chapter of the Special Libraries Association Day” in the City of San Diego. How about them apples? Not to be outdone, the County of San Diego also issued a proclamation honoring our chapter, and County Supervisor Greg Cox was there to present the declaration in person! He couldn’t resist teasing the City by pointing out that the County’s proclamation came with its own frame.

 

County Supervisor Greg Cox presents chapter president Bobbi Weaver with a proclamation recognizing SLA-SD.

Speaking of Supervisor Cox, he nearly won the 1960s trivia contest that was part of the celebration, but fortunately, Deborah Kegel won the “tie-breaking” question and salvaged our reputation as the definitive knowledge experts.

After a delicious lunch of burgers and shakes, we wrapped up the event with several group photos, seizing the opportunity to take pictures of what may have been the largest assemblage of past presidents (16) to date. A special thank you goes out to Kean Chilingirian for documenting the event in a series of fabulous photos. See them at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sla-sd/sets/72157624007788445/

All attendees left with a commemorative pen and, hopefully, even more great memories of networking, knowledge-sharing, and friendship with their local SLA colleagues. May we all live long and prosper!

The event’s organizing committee consisted of Bobbi Weaver, Martha McPhail, Daria DeCooman, Michelle Frost, Elizabeth Grossman, Grace Viola, and Vani Inampudi (registration).

By Michelle Frost, Chapter Member and Manager Investigative Research Group, Grant Thornton LLP, San Diego, CA

Comments

[Cindy Shamel]

What a grand celebration! Well done San Diego Chapter, and kudos to the organizing committee. Thank you for the wonderful write up and pictures for those of us who could not be there. I'm especially pleased to see the past presidents make such a strong showing, since this past president could not be there.