Be proactive: communicate your worth to management!

Information Outlook,  Jan, 1999  by Lucy Lettis

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* familiarity with a minimum of two of the following and ability to leverage these services appropriately on a query-specific basis: Docutronics, Global Securities, Carl Uncover, University Microfilms, Disclosure Research on Demand, NYPL Corporate Express, Joint Information Services, The Conference Board, et al.

* familiarity with concepts pertaining to end-user desktop solutions; a minimum of name-recognition of major players in desktop marketplace

* ability to identify potential technologies and tools to add value to the information center

* proven success at managing the development and completion of multiple simultaneous client projects

* ability to add value to raw data through appropriate filtering, synthesis, packaging, and presentation formats

* proven commitment to reading relevant literature so as to stay continuously abreast of the wide array of emerging information theories, products, and services

* proven ability to thrive in fast-paced business information environment and to successfully juggle multiple conflicting project deadlines

* excellent communication skills including ability to negotiate project aspects such as scope, cost parameters, and timelines

* must demonstrate personality conducive to effective teamwork and collegiality among professional peers, paraprofessional and support staff, and management

* basic knowledge of pricing structures such as site licensing vs. subscription fees vs. transactional vs. flat-fees and ability to apply this knowledge to selection of appropriate resources on a query-specific basis

I am woefully aware that the above checklists fall far short of being comprehensive. I am sure there are many important skills I've inadvertently omitted, as well as curriculum aspects I've neglected. But I hope that these points can form the basis of an instrument you can alter to fit your particular situation and needs, one to which you can add other competency requirements reflecting your own values.

I know a colleague who disseminated lists similar to those above to her management to avert a real-life John Doe, Amateur Researcher crisis! By doing so, she protected the integrity of the information services and products her center provides, the professional collegiality of her information center team, and the department's commitment to providing customers with the highest quality, most cost-effective, information services attainable.

1 I have borrowed liberally from the web site of Rutgers University's School of Communication, Information and Library Studies.

Lucy Lettis is director of business information services at Arthur Andersen LLP in New York. She is chair of the steering committee for SLA's Second Worldwide Conference on Special Librarianship to be held October 2000 in Brighton, England, She can be reached via e-mail at: lucy, lettis@us, arthurandersen.com.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Special Libraries Association
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group