Palmetto Information Notes

Special Libraries Association / South Carolina Chapter
Volume 18, Number 3, Summer 2004

Contents

• President's Message
• Chapter Election
• Meetings
• Articles/Information
• Library Profile
• Member News

President's Message
by Helen Ivy, Librarian, Marine Resources Library, COC-NOAA-SCDNR, Charleston, SC

As my term as Chapter President draws to a close, I want to extend my heart-felt thanks to each of you for your contribution to the Chapter whether you held an office, chaired a committee, worked on a project, hosted or assisted with a meeting, attended a meeting/s, or wanted to attend meetings but were hindered by circumstances. I appreciate everything that each of you has contributed to make this a successful year.

We have had successes. Although we are one of the smaller chapters, we are holding our own with sixty-six current members. Despite resignations due to illness and job changes, members have been willing to step in and fill essential positions. In addition, we have welcomed several new SC Chapter members and a number of non-members to our meetings where outstanding speakers made us laugh, informed us, and challenged us. We began a Library Profile Column in the PIN. Our Business Manager, Marsha Bishop, has raised financial support for us that will enable us to bring in guest speakers for future meetings. At the November meeting, we held a silent auction and raised $410 for the Martha Zachert Scholarship Fund. At the annual business meeting, the members approved an annual fundraiser to support the Zachert Scholarship. We’ve accomplished a lot, but…

Still we have work to do. Please just say “Yes” when Nina Brunet, our incoming Chapter President, asks you to serve as a Committee Chair or work on a project. It is time for us to update out strategic plan. We need to provide more networking opportunities that can accommodate those members who cannot attend Chapter meetings regularly. Our newsletter editor needs our support. At our March meeting, Jill Konieczko gave us tips on getting published in the library literature. Let’s put her advice to work, and write for the PIN!! We’re not yet all that we can be, so where are we going from here?

Sometimes this past year, I wasn’t sure where we were going because of the times I heard “I can’t”, “I don’t have time”, “That topic doesn’t really apply to me”. Now I must admit that I have used all of those reasons at one time or another for not filling a position, participating, etc. Finally though, I’ve realized that we all have experience and knowledge that we can share with each other, and that we need to make the time to do that even if it pushes us outside of our comfort zone. The past two years in the SC/SLA Chapter have pushed me “way outside” my comfort zone, but the challenge has been rewarding.

Please consider contributing in your own way—column editor for the PIN, greeter at a meeting, host a meeting, assist in program planning, committee chair, etc.—to make the SC/SLA Chapter all that it can be in the upcoming year. Let’s learn from each other and celebrate who we are.

Thanks again for your support this year. I look forward to a great year ahead as we all work together. See you in Nashville.

Helen A. Ivy
SC-SLA President