Division CE Courses at SLA 2009

These highly-regarded courses are taught by experts in their fields, and provide essential and hands-on learning in chemical information, patents, and specialized information topics (substructures, biosequences, polymers).

Note that some courses provide discounted registration for student members.

Contact TedBaldwin (ted.baldwin@uc.edu)
Professional Development Chair, Chemistry Division.

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(1) Diving into Patents: A Primer for Librarians
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 8am-5pm
Tickets: $299 members / $399 non-members (no student discount)
Instructors: Denise Callihan (PPG Industries), Jan Comfort (Clemson U.), Michael White (Queens U.)

(2) Chemistry for the Non-Chemist Librarian
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 8am-5pm
Tickets: $299 members / $399 non-members / $149 student members (limit 5)
Instructors: Bartow Culp (Purdue U.), Judith Currano (U. of Pennsylvania)

(3) Chemical Information Sources, Request, and References
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 8am-12noon
Tickets: $199 members / $299 non-members / $99 student members (limit 5)
Instructors: Denise Callihan (PPG Industries), Bartow Culp (Purdue U.), Judith Currano (U. of Pennsylvania)

(4) Advanced Chemical Information Topics: Substructures, Sequences, and Polymers
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 1pm-5pm
Tickets: $199 members / $299 non-members (no student discount)
Instructors: Ted Baldwin (U. of Cincinnati), Judith Currano (U. of Pennsylvania)

Call for Posters: 2009 in Washington DC

Call for Posters, 2009 Annual Conference (Washington DC)

Theme: Scientific Information Workflow: Librarian Perspectives, Best Practices, and Models in the Digital Era

SPONSOR: Chemistry Division
LOCATION/DATE/TIME: SLA Annual Conference - Washington DC; Tuesday, June 16, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: March 15, 2009

DESCRIPTION:
How often have you encountered faculty, students, or corporate researchers struggling to adapt to the nature of electronic information flows, yet clinging to paper schemes that no longer work effectively? Paper workflows in an electronic environment not only slow the research process, but also foster patron resistance to increasing amounts of available electronic information.

Today a vast array of possibilities helps us improve information flow
efficiency: custom search alerts, citation management software, PDF storage and retrieval on personal computers, production/storage and sharing of data compilations in large repositories, electronic collaboration tools (e.g., Delicious, Connotea, etc.), and more. What methods for creating new models of electronic workflows have you recently adopted or experimentally piloted? What successes or failures have you encountered in teaching patrons – faculty, students, researchers, etc. – new ways of handling information in an all-electronic workflow, from the literature search to the discovery and publication process?

Please consider sharing the results of your efforts at the upcoming All-Sciences Poster Session at the Annual SLA Conference in Washington, D.C., June 2009. Your poster presentation could help your colleagues immeasurably as we all seek to cultivate or improve scientists' digital information management skills. The poster session provides an informal and lively venue for sharing your innovative ideas on an important topic.

Guidelines for materials and layout of poster presentations are available on the SLA Chemistry Division website at http://www.sla.org/division/dche/poster.html.

SUMBISSION DETAILS:
Please submit your name, institution, email address, poster title, and description (250 words or less) by email to Bill Armstrong at notwwa@lsu.edu. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2009. Any SLA member is welcome to submit an abstract for consideration. In the event that a greater number of submissions are received than can be accommodated, members of the Chemistry Division will be given first preference. All applicants will be notified re: poster proposal acceptance on or before April 1, 2009.

CONTACT:
William W. Armstrong (notwwa@lsu.edu)
Sciences Collection Development Coordinator
Chemistry Librarian
Liaison to Physics & Astronomy
Middleton Library
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge , LA 70803 USA
Ph. (225) 578-2738
Fax: (225) 578-9432

A Note from the Chair-Elect

I hope you all had a great experience at the SLA Conference in Seattle in June. The conference was filled with opportunities to learn and network and to celebrate our profession. I hope that you all returned back to your organizations and were able to put at least one new thing you learned into practice already.

I enjoyed meeting some “Newcomers” to the Chemistry Division at the Newcomers’ Luncheon, congratulating the award winners at the Business Meeting, learning about alternative fuels and some hot technologies, and networking with new and old friends at the Chemistry Division’s Speed Networking/Open House Reception and the All Sciences Poster Session. HINT: if you happened to miss seeing any of the posters, there was an opportunity to view them via the online web poster session in October – November. You can still find them at http://forum.lib.lsu.edu/slachem.

Also at this conference the planners for the 2009 conference met twice and we are gearing up to set the schedules and topics for next year’s programs. You will see some familiar program sessions again, such as the Roundtable event. We also want to continue the Speed Networking concept for the Chemistry Division Open House Reception, and it appears as if the All Sciences Poster Session/Reception will do an encore performance.

Please stay tuned to the Chemistry Division discussion list to learn more about the other program topics being planned because we may put a call out for moderators, speakers and panelists in the next few months.

To join the SLA Chemistry Division discussion list, SLA-DCHE, please go to:
http://units.sla.org/division/dche/listserv.htm

Luray M. Minkiewicz, SLA Chemistry Division Chair-Elect
luray.m.minkiewicz@usa.dupont.com

News from the MRM Section Chair

Help us stay in touch!

The MRM section Board is continuing to work on some of the projects identified during our annual business meeting held a few months ago. Communications is the theme of the year, and our listserv and web page are the two best ways we have to communicate as needed with members and non-members alike.

Currently we’re reconciling the list of section members (as reflected by SLA’s records) and the names of people who are registered with the list, to identify those MRM section members who have not joined the list, and directly invite those members to join. It’s not a requirement, by any means, but it sure makes it easier to communicate!

To stay in touch between newsletters:

• Visit the website at http://units.sla.org/division/dche/mrm/index.htm


• Join the list by e-mailing Lyris@lists.sla.org. The body of the message should say: Subscribe sla-dmrm <your e-mail address> <FirstName> <LastName>


• Not sure if you’re already a member of the list? Go to http://sla.lyris.net/read/login

Cathy DiPalma, Incoming Chair

As the SLA program year draws to a close, I’m trying to provide incoming Chair Cathy DiPalma with a good feel for the kinds of issues and activities that she’ll be involved in next year. To that end, I’ve asked her to submit a Chair-Elect column for this issue. And thank you Cathy, for your kind words! I’m looking forward to supporting you next year as I’ve been supported so well this year!

Hello fellow MRM members,

I have been caught up in a whirlwind of activities since accepting the position of Chair-Elect of the DCHE Materials Research and Manufacturing Section; in addition to being the Program Planner for the 2009 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. It should come as no surprise that in the SLA whirlwind I have met many energetic and dedicated people. A debt of gratitude is owed to those who have helped guide and encourage me: Marty Rhine, Betsy Aldridge, Ben Wagner, Margaret Bower, the current DCHE Chair Sue Cardinal, and the current MRM Chair Nora Stoecker. Nora patiently answered questions and offered helpful suggestions as I began this journey last January at the SLA Leadership Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. We thank Nora for the leadership role she assumed in the MRM section; her contribution has been invaluable.

Looking toward 2009, I encourage the MRM membership to contact me with your ideas, comments, suggestions, questions, and yes, complaints concerning our section. Although materials science covers a broad range of activities and touches on many fields, we are all connected by the business of information and knowledge management within this very diverse discipline. I look forward to working together to continue to develop a stronger and more unified group.

Anticipation remains high for the 2009 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. next June as we celebrate the SLA centennial. I am fortunate to have the DCHE Chair-elect, Luray Minkiewicz as well as Susan Makar as co-program planners. We have been working for several months to develop programs we think will enlighten as well as entertain. If time and finances permit, please consider attending this very special conference.

Cathy DiPalma
cathy.dipalma@saint-gobain.com
Saint-Gobain NorPro
3840 Fishcreek Road
Stow, Ohio 44224
330-677-5-3566

Warm regards,
Nora K. Stoecker, nstoecker@nksinfo.com

2009 Sparks Award

2009 Marion E. Sparks Award for Professional Development

The Chemistry Division of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) is sponsoring a student/new member travel award to defray the costs of attending the 2009 SLA Annual Meeting June 14-17 in Washington, D.C. The award is intended to encourage the professional development of student members and new members of the Chemistry Division and encourage their participation in Chemistry Division activities.

TRAVEL AWARD:
$1,500 stipend to attend the 2009 SLA Annual Conference. The winner will also receive a certificate of achievement and will be introduced at the Chemistry Division Business Meeting & Breakfast.

ELIGIBILITY:
All student members of the Chemistry Division and all new members of the Chemistry Division (individuals who have joined since January 2008) are eligible. All applicants must have joined the Chemistry Division by February 23, 2009. See below for how to join.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Please submit the following:

• A brief essay that: a) clearly articulates your objectives for professional development; and b) indicates what you hope to gain from attending the SLA Annual Meeting. Maximum length: 2 pages.
• Resume
• Names of two references.
• Brief budget (expected expenses for registration, airfare, lodging, food and/or continuing education course).
  

Registration in a Chemistry Division or other Continuing Education (CE) course is recommended, but not required.

DEADLINE:
All applications must be received by March 9, 2009. The winner will be notified by March 27, 2009. Essays will be judged by the SLA Chemistry Division Awards Committee.

HISTORY:
The award is named to honor Marion E. Sparks, a chemistry librarian at the University of Illinois from 1913 until her death in 1929. Ms. Sparks contributed a great deal to the field of chemical information, her achievements include teaching courses on chemical information, and authoring and publishing what is argued to be the first book to formally address chemical literature and library instruction.

SUBMIT APPLICATION VIA EMAIL TO:
Cory Craig (cjcraig@ucdavis.edu)
University of California, Davis
Physical Sciences & Engineering Library
One Shields Avenue
Davis, California 95616-8676

Poster Web Conference, Session 2 (Oct 28-Nov 11)

SLA All Sciences Poster Web Conference, Session 2

Dates: October 28 - November 11, 2008
Sponsors: Chemistry, Physics-Astronomy-Mathematics, Science & Technology, Engineering, and Biomedical & Life Sciences Divisions of the Special Libraries Association.

Location: http://forum.lib.lsu.edu/slachem/
Registration: free
Format: asynchronous web-based discussion board

List of presentations and accompanying forums:
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/sci/chem/vbulletin_real/schedule_Nov2008_unlinked.html

Please join the five science divisions of SLA for the second session of a two-part web conference featuring many of the posters originally presented at the SLA Annual Meeting, June 2008, at the All Sciences Poster Session and Reception in Seattle. Session 2 begins today, October 28, 2008 (CDT) and will last through the end of the day, November 11. Each poster presentation will have its own discussion forum moderated by at least one of the authors/presenters.

The presentations and discussion forums for all posters will be open and available the entire duration of the conference, thereby allowing conference attendees ample time to see the posters and take part in any and all sessions of interest. The conference site will be open 24 hours a day, and, as discussions are asynchronous, you will be able to participate at times most convenient to you.

Full participation in the event will require registration, but this is free and painless. For those of you who have already registered for a previous conference, your Username and Password are still valid. If, however, you have forgotten what they are, just click on the login button on the conference home page without filling in anything, and you'll be provided a link which will enable you to have your username emailed to you and to reset your password. When you fill in your registered email address in the box provided, you will be sent instructions on how to reset your password.

If you do not choose to register, you may still view all content and discussions, but you will not be able to post your own comments or questions. We do hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to discuss the various topics with the presenters, however.

If you have any questions at all about the conference, how to participate, or problems with registration, please email or call William Armstrong at (225) 578-2738 or notwwa@lsu.edu.

Chemistry Division Posters Online

Most of the Chemistry Division posters from the SLA Conference are now online, in time for the Poster Web Session:

• Catalyzing Community: Librarians in the Loop
• Science Experiments: Reaching Out to Our Users
• (Renovation – Architect) + Creativity = New Spaces that Work
• The PAMS Reference Wiki: a New Way to Address Traditional Reference Needs
• Low-Tech Works Too: Low-Tech Tools Help Science Students Collaborate in the Library
• Virtual plans, real projects: Second Life helps the UCSC S&E library plan its future
• Library 2.0: Collaborative – Interactive – Patron Focused
• Using Instant Messaging at an Academic Library Reference Desk: Successes, Challenges, and Future Directions

Poster Web Conference, Session 1 (Oct 6-21)

SLA All Sciences Poster Web Conference, Session 1

Dates: October 6 - 21, 2008
Sponsors: Chemistry, Physics-Astronomy-Mathematics, Science & Technology, Engineering, and Biology divisions of SLA

Location: http://forum.lib.lsu.edu/slachem/
Registration: free
Format: asynchronous web-based discussion board

List of presentations and accompanying forums:
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/sci/chem/vbulletin_real/schedule_Oct2008_linked.html

Please join the five science divisions of SLA for the first session of a two-part web conference featuring many of the posters originally presented at the SLA Annual Meeting, June 2008, at the All Sciences Poster Session and Reception in Seattle. Session 1 begins today, October 6, 2008 at 8:00a.m. (CDT) and will last through the end of the day, October 21. Session 2 runs from Oct. 27 - Nov. 11. Each poster presentation will have its own discussion forum moderated by at least one of the authors/presenters.

The presentations and discussion forums for all posters will be open and available the entire duration of the conference, thereby allowing conference attendees ample time to see the posters and take part in any and all sessions of interest. The conference site will be open 24 hours a day, and, as discussions are asynchronous, you will be able to participate at times most convenient to you.

Full participation in the event will require registration, but this is free and painless. For those of you who have already registered for a previous conference, your Username and Password are still valid. If, however, you have forgotten what they are, just click on the login button on the conference home page without filling in anything, and you'll be provided a link which will enable you to have your username emailed to you and to reset your password. When you fill in your registered email address in the box provided, you will be sent instructions on how to reset your password.

If you do not choose to register, you may still view all content and discussions, but you will not be able to post your own comments or questions. We do hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to discuss the various topics with the presenters, however.

If you have any questions at all about the conference, how to participate, or problems with registration, please email or call William Armstrong at (225) 578-2738 or notwwa@lsu.edu.

July - September 2008 Newsletter

The July - September 2008 newsletter has been published. Some of the articles include:
- Professional Focus Interview with Bob Buchanan
- 2008 Sparks Award Winner Conference Reflections
- Various Conference Session Reports

MRM Business Meeting Minutes

The minutes for the MRM Business Meeting (held online on May 23) are now available.