In November 2000. the Geography and Map Division of SLA was awarded a three year grant to promote awareness of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The grant was written to provide funds for the audiovisual materials needed at the SLA annual conferences for GIS presentations. While the Geography and Map Division took the lead role in writing the grant and organizing the programs regarding GIS, other divisions were invited to use the resources provided by this grant as well. Over the three years of grant funding, the Geography and Map Division has been able to sponsor and co-sponsor many successful programs. One of the presentations made possible by the grant, "GIS in Special Libraries" was recognized by the 2001 Conference Planning Committee for its broad appeal to the SLA membership. Three presentations and a continuing education program promoted GIS awareness at the 2003 New York City conference. The three programs included "The Role of GIS in the Aftermath of September 11," "International Government Mapping Update," and "Invasive Species and GIS," which was co-sponsored by the Biomedical and Life Sciences Division. The continuing education program was entitled "GIS for the Special Librarian: A Hands-on Introduction to ArcGIS." Angela Lee from ESRI presented this program. ESRI is the company that makes the ArcGIS software.
The most popular GIS session over the three years was "Applications of GIS," which was presented at the 2002 Los Angeles program, and was co-sponsored with four other divisions: Engineering, Environment and Resource Management, Petroleum and Energy Resources, and the Transportation Division. This program had a total of 51 attendees, representing 15 out of 25 divisions. Before the grant was written, the most popular GIS program offered at the 2000 Annual SLA Conference in Philadelphia was the "Business Uses of Geographic Information Systems," which was co-sponsored by the Insurance and Employee Benefits Division. The statistics taken at this program stated that there were eight divisions represented. Comparing the 2000 program to the 2002 program, we find that as a result of the grant, almost twice as many divisions were represented in the audience (15 in 2002; 8 in 2000). Further, in 2000, Geography and Map Division members accounted for 41.2 percent of the audience while in 2002, the Geography and Map members only accounted for 15.6 percent. Through the Endowment Funds Grant, the Geography and Map Division was able to inform more SLA members from a variety of divisions about GIS. This grant has also encouraged program sponsorship among the divisions. Since the grant, the Geography and Map Division has sponsored GIS-related programs with seven separate divisions. (1)
Today's information professionals are found in many work settings, with many titles, but all with one focus ... putting knowledge to work. As an SLA member, you realize the value and benefits of SLA membership for your career, for professional networking ... and to advance your profession. Now, SLA is asking you to spread the word and recruit others to join the SLA community of professionals all dedicated to putting knowledge to work! Participate in the 2003 SLA Membership Campaign-"SLA Keyword ... Recruit," and for each new member you refer who submits a complete SLA application no later than December 31, 2003, you will be eligible to win the Grand Prize! Get search specific ... find new members for SLA and you, your Chapter, and your Division can be eligible to win prizes! Members ... start your search engines!
Here are the basics about the 2003 SLA Membership Campaign:
The 2003 Campaign, "SLA Keyword ... Recruit" began in September 2003 and ends on December 31, 2003.
All new members recruited by current members must submit their paid applications no later than December 31, 2003, and the application must reference the recruiting member for the member to be eligible to win prizes.
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