SLA 2013 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO

Improve your knowledge and confidence in the structure and language of chemistry through this hands-on course.  Learn the basic principles of the five major divisions of chemistry, review chemical terminology and drawing, and discuss other intellectual tools that chemists need to do their work.  This course has four main sections: 1) introduction to chemistry as a science, 2) strategies for effective communication with chemists, 3) basic chemical concepts and research questions, and 4) ways in which chemists’ research needs dictate their information needs.

This workshop takes the approach that anyone with a solid foundation in the practices and principles of librarianship and a willingness to confront and learn about changing technology can serve effectively in a library systems position—with or without formal technology training.  Nicole C. Engard, author of The Accidental Systems Librarian, shares her practical advice on using research, communication, and organizational bibliographic skills to solve various systems problems is geared to helping both “accidental” and "planned" systems librarians develop the skills they need to succeed and the confidence they need to excel. This course will introduce systems librarian to the basics of what it means to work in systems in libraries and provide them with a toolbox to both succeed at their job and keep up with technologies.

This interactive half-day workshop focuses on seeing the big picture and provides practical techniques for thinking strategically and building a positive future.  During 30 years of working with information professionals, the presenters have often heard clients voice their own desire and that of their colleagues to better see “the big picture." Learn practical ways to consider and understand strategic contexts. A look at scanning for impacts and influences, an intensive discussion of techniques and how to apply them in a case study, and an introduction to supporting resources help attendees think more strategically and align their services with organizational strategies.

Presentation Handouts: 
https://www.sla.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ThinkingStrategicallyCritically_Dysart_Jones.pdf

https://www.sla.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ThinkingStrategicallyCritically_Dysart_Jones_Color.pdf

This course introduces the types of questions that chemical researchers ask and the sources that can be used to answer them.  Participants will receive an overview of the structure of the chemical literature and learn about types of reference sources in the chemical sciences, unique access points for chemical information, and strategies for an effective search.  Informal lectures, interspersed with hands-on reference questions, will compare and describe the major chemical information resources.

Scott Brown, an authority on social media, will lead this hands-on workshop.  Social tools are changing the landscape of competitive and business information gathering.  As a business and competitive researcher, learn which social media tools will give you the best company and industry information.  See how to complement traditional resources for business and company information by effectively using social media tools such as LinkedIn, blogs, Twitter feeds, social networking groups and other specialized search tools.  This is a fully updated, hands-on workshop that will help you think differently about these resources and unlock their true potential.  Bring your laptop and the name of a company you would like to research and be prepared to be surprised by what you find!

This course will present a roadmap for starting and managing a competitive intelligence (CI) capability. The course will be taught in a workshop format, with group exercises and open discussions. Geared to the novice as well as the advanced practitioner, the Road to Successful CI will look first at what the discipline is and is not,  then at how librarians/info pros can transition into doing CI. Topics will include sourcing and supporting primary and secondary search, analytical tools and fitness, and reporting methods and templates. Attendees will get real examples from the presenter about how to establish, manage and grow an intelligence function.