|
|
May 23, 2003
Dear (either drop in name or just First Timer),
On behalf of my self and my fellow Fellows, welcome
to your first SLA Annual Conference! Whether you are attending the conference
for the first time, or returning to the conference for the first time in a new
subject area or in a new job, we are very glad you are here.
You are going to have an extraordinary time. The many new
things that you learn, the networks of colleagues and vendors that you
establish, and the life-long friends that you make, will serve you for the rest
of your professional career. Most importantly, you will experience the unique
culture and energy that is the Special Libraries Association.
This will be my 15th SLA conference but I
still remember my first conference the overwhelming sensation of standing in
front of the Registration area, wondering where to turn first, feeling a bit
alone and intimidated by all of the events going on around me. Fortunately,
before coming to the conference, I had been given some advice about how to
manage my time and the many choices of things to do throughout the conference
week. Well, the advice must have been good, because I not only survived that
first time, but I was hooked, returning year after year to share in the unique
experience of the SLA Annual Conference.
You may be wondering what an SLA Fellow is. We are
Association members who, midway in our careers, were honored for our commitment
to the field of special librarianship and our involvement in SLA. In other
words, we have been around a while and we share a passion for our profession
and our association.
Each year it is the distinct pleasure of the Fellows to
host a reception for the First Timers for you. This year the reception takes
place on Sunday, June 8th, from 5:00-6:30 at the Marriott Marquis
hotel. This informal gathering will feature an informal Q&A, focused on
asking and answering the most important questions you will have on surviving the
conference experience. The Fellows have also developed a series of survival FAQs
that will be available for you to pick up in the reception area. You can click
on this link to print a copy ( INSERT LINK TO 2003 CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE) now.
In addition, at the reception you will have the opportunity to join in a game
that will help to get you out on the conference floors meeting lots of people
and the first 5 winners will also get great prizes! Of course, there will be
food (SLA Tip #1: you are guaranteed never to starve at an SLA event), and the
SLA Fellows, Board of Directors, and other members will be there to welcome you
as well.
So pack comfortable shoes and a sweater for the freezing
cold session rooms and come prepared to learn, laugh, and have a wonderful
time.
See you in New York.
Barb
Barbara M. Spiegelman
SLA Fellow
|