SLA Illinois Chapter Connecting People and Information

By Crystal Megaridis, Library Services Manager, Praxair Inc.

As members of SLA, we know the value our professional association brings to us. The networks we create are important to our success and to our survival. Having been a Special Librarian for over a decade, I have benefited tremendously from the SLA at both national and state meetings. SLA has provided me the forum to learn, grow and share my knowledge.

Why, then, would a Special Librarian have any interest in belonging to their regional library system? What value would affiliation with the library system bring? Conversely what could a Special Librarian contribute to her library system?

Regional Library Systems

Within the state of Illinois there are nine regional library systems funded by the State Library and the Secretary of State. These library systems were created to encourage cooperation among all types of libraries and to promote resource sharing. Currently the Illinois Library Systems have more than 5,000 member libraries and share over 6.6 million resources through reciprocal borrowing each year. In addition to resource sharing, the regional library systems provide connections and networking among different library types, personal growth opportunities, continuing education, consulting, and much more.

Networking

Often times, we Special Librarians have small staffs. While the ability to bounce ideas around and hear shop stories from our colleagues is invaluable, from my involvement at my library system, I have discovered how enlightening it can be to network and share with other-type librarians. They sometimes approach solutions in different ways than we do, some of which are applicable to Special Libraries. The cross pollination of library ideas and activities between different library settings is stimulating. Meeting other librarians at library system events can develop into lasting relationships and expand your understanding of librarianship in general.

A Chicagoland public library recently collaborated with the library staff at a neighborhood hospital to hold a medical information-gathering workshop at the public library. What a great synergy between the two, for the benefit of all, and this happened because of a library system connection.

Personal Growth Opportunities

At one point in our careers, most of us come to realize that we have gained expertise and knowledge in one or more areas that we are ready, willing and able to share. My library at Praxair Inc. is a member of the Metropolitan Library System (MLS), and recently I presented the Praxair library’s marketing strategies and techniques at a networking meeting of the MLS. It was a great way to share with the library community, as well as an opportunity to improve my presentation skills. Talk to your library system – they can provide a forum for you to contribute to your local library community.

Continuing Education

Take advantage of what the State of Illinois offers. Classes and workshops through the regional library systems are often free or very reasonably priced. While many of the workshops are specific to only one type of library -- special, public, academic or school -- some are geared to the multi-type audiences.

I attended a workshop  entitled “Word of Mouth Marketing” a several months ago. It was an excellent program with great ideas shared by the instructor as well as the attendees. Of some 20 attendees, I was the only Special Librarian, but this workshop opened my eyes to some of the ways other types of libraries approach marketing which I have incorporated into my library’s marketing strategy.

As an example, the basic premise of the workshop was to utilize your library advocates to promote the library. A public librarian in attendance mentioned they have great advocates in their “Friends of the Library” group. Putting these two concepts together, we at Praxair have begun a process by which we proactively identify our best advocates and “feed” them with information about Library Services to subsequently share with other employees in their work groups.

Conferencing

Heard of a great presentation at a conference you couldn’t attend? Your library system may well be able to find someone locally who can talk on the same topic.

The nine Illinois library systems and the State Library are connected with videoconferencing capabilities. One of my staff members recently attended a program that our regional library system provided as a downlink videoconference learning opportunity, an SLA ClickU Webinar.

Another area special library was able to utilize the videoconferencing equipment at their regional library system. Unable to view a Webex presentation for a new product due to security issues with their firewall, their library system made available their equipment and space for several training sessions.

Consulting

Have you ever had to downsize – either space or staff? Perhaps you have a new space and need help with library space planning.  Perhaps you need advice on selecting a catalog system. Your changes may not always be so drastic, but library system consultants are there to assist with your problems large and small. The consultants are there to help. Library system consultants see the big picture of what is going on in the area. They work with libraries of all types and sizes and will do their best to help, or point you to someone who can help.

During 2006 I was tasked with creating a vision of a “destination library” for one of our physical libraries at Praxair. I contacted the library consultants at MLS, and they were able to suggest several area libraries that had gone through a similar exercise in the recent past. This proved extremely useful to me as I was quickly able to visit a variety of libraries nearby and discuss my project with other librarians who had recently gone through this experience. What was most enlightening for me was that I would not have even thought to visit academic or public libraries for this project. However both types were suggested by the MLS consultants, and visits to each provided me with invaluable information for my project.

Resource Sharing and Delivery Service

One of the best-known benefits of the library systems in Illinois is the seamless statewide interlibrary network. What a great help interlibrary loan is to get the information you need for your clients, thanks to the Illinois library systems.

The State of Illinois understands the unique value we bring to the state: Special Librarians help maintain and grow competent corporations within our state. Be glad of this support and take advantage of all that your library system has to offer. It’s a smart business decision to get involved and utilize the resources and services that are available to us from our regional library systems.

For additional information about library systems, visit: www.Illinoislibrarysystems.info

Reach Crystal Megaridis at Crystal_Megaridis@praxair.com.