Ron Larson

Larson's Remarks Upon Receiving the Agnes Henebry Roll of Honor
June 7, 2005 in Toronto, Canada

Thank you Debra for that very nice introduction. And, thank you to Linda Henderson
and the awards committee for choosing me for this wonderful honor, and thank you to
Amy for your role in this. And, also, thank you DeAnn for being here.

But I feel I must thank the entire Division for this award because all of you, in
some way, have helped to contribute to my role in the News Division. It is from you
where I gain my confidence to participate and it is from you where I receive
encouragement allowing me to continue in my participation.

The News Division has offered me numerous opportunities to learn and grow in our
profession. Whether it's through our Division newsletter or through the daily
communication of NewsLib or through sessions and conversations at conference, your
advice and knowledge have motivated me to be more involved.

I don't know what it is like at other news libraries, especially the larger ones.

But, at smaller libraries like mine it is a daily battle for staff hours, for
resources and for physical space. But, it has been the Division, all of you, who
have given me the tools and expertise to fight those battles and to be able to win
some of them.

In 1988, I was invited to visit the Racine Journal Times, a sister paper of the
Wisconsin State Journal, both being owned by Lee Enterprises, to critique its
library. I arrived bright and early before anyone else. While I was waiting in the
library, a young woman came in and I asked her if she worked in the library. She
said no but was on the library staff until her promotion. I asked her what
department she now works in and she replied, "the switchboard."

Holy smokes! Now I had a fairly clear picture of what was wrong with the library in
Racine. If the library was ranked below the switchboard, how could it ever improve.
And, it was fairly obvious to me that the library staff didn't have an ally like the
News Division. Otherwise, they wouldn't be in such a predicament. Unfortunately, the
Racine library never did understand the value of the News Division and the paper
eliminated the library entirely just a few years ago.

Participation and involvement in the News Division is vital for professional growth
and satisfaction. The Division and its members have been so important to me during my
27-year career as a news librarian. In fact, I think we need a little audience
participation to make my point.

The News Division is the best damned division in all of SLA!!

What is the best damned division in SLA?

(audience) News!

What is the best damned divsion in SLA?

(audience) News!

Thank you very much.