Global Support For Librarians in Asia Through SLA

1. Global Support For Librarians in Asia Through SLA Sue Henczel President Australia and New Zealand Chapter

2. What is SLA? • The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. • SLA serves more than 12,000 members in 83 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic and government information specialists. • SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives.

3. SLA’s Vision and Mission • VisionSLA is the global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. • MissionSLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives.

4. Core Values • LeadershipStrengthening our roles as information leaders in our organizations and in our communities, including shaping information policy. • ServiceResponding to our clients' needs, adding qualitative and quantitative value to information services and products. • Innovation and Continuous LearningEmbracing innovative solutions for the enhancement of services and intellectual advancement within the profession. • Results and AccountabilityDelivering measurable results in the information economy and our organizations. The Association and its members are expected to operate with the highest level of ethics and honesty. • Collaboration and PartneringProviding opportunities to meet, communicate, collaborate, and partner within the information industry and the business community.

5. SLA Units • 59 Regional Chapters • 25 Divisions • 11 Caucuses

6. Regional Chapters SLA is organized into 59 regional Chapters that elect officers, issue bulletins or meeting announcements, hold program meetings during a year, and initiate special projects. As well as the US regions, the following non-US Chapters have been established – Arabian Gulf Australia and New Zealand Asia Europe Hawaii-Pacific Eastern Canada / Western Canada Toronto (Canada)

7. Divisions SLA is also organized into 25 Divisions representing subject interests, fields, or types of information-handling techniques. Most conduct professional programs during the Association's Annual Conferences. Divisions include – Advertising & Marketing Business & Finance Engineering Physics Astronomy Mathematics Solo Librarians Biomedical & Life Sciences

8. Caucuses SLA has 11 Caucuses which are informal networks of discipline or interest not covered in other divisions. Each caucus has a convenor and most have electronic discussion lists.

9. Membership Benefits • professional development • networking opportunities – local, regional, national and international • electronic resources • topical and general electronic discussion lists • through the Chapters - local peer support and professional assistance • through the Divisions – connection to members with common interests, issues and specialities.

10. SLA’s Asian Chapter • one of the largest chapters geographically • covers 22 countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. • provides – • Networking to all Asian librarians • Meetings, workshops and seminars • Guidelines and professional support

11. Membership Costs • Full member – US$125 • Student member – US$35 • Virtual member – US$65 Membership provides – • 1 Chapter + 1 Division • Information Outlook (monthly) • Web access to resources • Discounted professional development and industry seminars

12. Contacts, etc. • www.sla.org • Linda Broussard, Membership Director linda@sla.org • Sue Henczel sueh@caval.edu.au