bulletin - Business & Finance Division - Special Libraries Association

Fall 2003 • page 52
2002–2003
Grants and Stipends
cannot control the future or predict it,
everything we do affects the future, whether
one week or 10,000 years from now. Libraries
have a duty to civilization to maintain memory,
constraint, integration and continuity. This
responsibility brings challenges to libraries when,
as Brand stated, 93% of information was in digital
format in 1999 (and likely higher today); the
average lifespan of information on the web is 44
days according to the Internet archive; and new
storage technology emerges approximately every
three years. To help libraries meet this challenge,
Brand is working with the National Digital
Information Infrastructure and Preservation
Program (NDIIPP) which calls for long–term
preservation of digital content. Ultimately, this
program would create a universal library in
which all information is available at anytime,
anywhere for anyone at no cost. Such a project
would be a lasting legacy for generations. The
program’s web site contains more details at http:/
/www.digitalpreservation.gov/.
On my last day of the conference I went to hear
Madeline Albright’s address. Arriving at the
Hilton, a long line of attendees stood waiting
to pass through security to the ballroom.
I managed to get in although I missed about
15 minutes. Albright had several words of
wisdom for the audience. I took with me her
wish for a more inclusive global system because
“the struggle to live in freedom is never easy or
over.” As the 64th Secretary of State of the U.S.,
she traveled over a million miles and visited
120 countries. She has likely witnessed this
struggle both in the United States and her trips
abroad and sees the platform for progress
through such a system.
Following Albright’s session, I finally had time
to see the exhibit hall. I was amazed at the
number of vendors. I enjoyed browsing several
floors of exhibitors. My mission was to gather
subscription services information for my
organization. The exhibit hall allowed me to
visit several booths and collect product
information from a variety of services. I also had
the chance to see demonstrations of several
databases and learn about upcoming publications.
As a grant recipient I had the pleasure to attend
the Business and Finance Division’s Annual
Business Meeting and Luncheon. I met the
Student Stipend and Professional Development
Grant award winners and networked with other
Business & Finance Division Bulletin • number 124
members. During the luncheon, I had the
opportunity to thank the Division publicly. I
would like to reiterate my appreciation for
the Professional Development Grant. The
conference exceeded my expectations and I am
grateful for the experience.
Professional Stipend Recipient
James COHLER
Stepping off my flight at LaGuardia, I knew I
wasn’t in Chicago. Even at the airport, I knew
I was in New York City. Energy, movement,
and speed—the forces that make New York
tick. With profound changes continuing to
sweep our profession, Manhattan was the
perfect location for the 2003 annual conference.
Since I had not attended SLA in several years, I
had started to feel somewhat out of touch with
what was generally happening in the world of
special librarianship. Through attending sessions
and connecting with colleagues, I gained an up–
to–date understanding of the issues facing our
profession today. I’d like to thank the Business
and Finance Division for selecting me as one of
the recipients of this year’s professional grant.
Monday’s events started with a reminder of the
traditional role of the librarian. David
McCollough’s emphasis on the help research
librarians have given him over the years reminded
me of our most basic role—helping customers
access the information they need. For the
remainder of Monday, my focus was catching
up on the fast moving issues shaping today’s
corporate research function.
What are we going to do about Google? This was
the question addressed by Stephen Abram on
Monday afternoon. Many corporate clients will
start and end an information request by
“Googling” for an answer. Whatever answer
they find on the first couple results page, no
matter how marginal or unreliable, goes into
that client presentation. The power of Google
presents a new and unexpected challenge for us.
We need to remind clients that we are
authoritative information experts, to remind
them that we can find quality, value–added
information that isn’t available on Google.
Of course, being in New York, I had to get in my
quotient of “cool” time. After Monday’s sessions
ended, I attended a swanky vendor party at the