NewsliBlog

Catching up on the Conference

2008-06-19T01:47:00.002-05:00

Great session today on the future of news libraries. With all the recent announcements about buyouts and layoffs, some of us expected this to be a depressing session. Conversely, I think most of left encouraged and optimistic about the future. I believe we got the full audio recorded on this session. Amy will be posting that once she has caught up on sleep.

The session this morning on "There's gold in them thar files" also received great comments. You can view Elaine Raines presentation here.

The banquet Tuesday night had great food, drinks and company. Amy Disch presented the Vormelker-Thomas Student Award to Heather Cottle of the University of Missouri-Columbia. Chris Hardesty presented the Agnes Henebry award to Leigh Poitinger. Justin Scroggs presented the other Agnes Henebry award to me and also presented the Joseph F. Kwapil Memorial Award to Ginny Everett.

This Tuesday session, Using blogs, podcasts and newsgroups for competitive intelligence research, was pretty interesting. It was a session shared with the Competitive Intelligence Division and this presentation will not be posted to the Web. May have more information later about this.

I think there will be handouts forthcoming to the Web site from the other sessions on Tuesday that were not shared with other divisions, in particular the session on Web 2.0. Lots of interesting information from this session.

Although we had a smaller crowd at the conference this year, the silent auction on Monday night was quite successful. I don't remember hearing who won the pair of underwear from the Cleveland Plain-Dealer so I'm guessing some lucky person got that in the raffle of leftover items at the banquet on Tuesday night.

Jessica had already posted on her and Derek's great session. Keep checking the news division program for presentations and handouts. Several are up on that page.

And many pictures to come!

Technology Free-for-All

2008-06-17T10:37:00.002-05:00

The links and some notes for Technology Free-for-All with Derek Willis of The New York Times and me are on j's scratchpad and forjournalists.com.

Gas Prices Across North America

2008-06-16T11:56:00.003-05:00

With people gathered here from so many different places, I thought it might be interesting to compile a list of how much people paid for gas the last time they purchased it back home. List is below and I'll add names post-conference.

Wisconsin State Journal/The Capital Times $3.97 per gallon
Detroit Free Press, $4.05 per gallon
San Antonio Express-News, $3.89 per gallon
The Columbus Dispatch, $3.98 per gallon
St. Petersburg Times, $3.93 per gallon
San Diego Union-Tribune, $3.56 per gallon (a few weeks ago)
San Francisco Chronicle, California--$4.79 per gallon, Oregon $4.19 per gallon (fewer taxes in Oregon), Washington per gallon $4.39 (this person drove here)
The Ottawa Citizen, $1.29 per liter
Los Angeles--$4.59 per gallon
Tulsa World, $3.79 per gallon
San Jose Mercury News, $4.54 per gallon
Naples, Florida, $3.96 per gallon
Muskegon, Michigan, $4.18 per gallon

Sunday Evening in the Suite

2008-06-16T11:51:00.002-05:00

On Sunday night, we had the meet and greet of the mentors and mentees in the News Division Suite. Shira Kavon, who does an excellent job organizing this event, provided gift bags to the mentors and mentees. The bags included many items such as coffee from Pennsylvania, M&Ms, a coffee mug and small magic 8 ball to ask questions about the future. When asked about the future of news libraries, a magic 8 ball responded with "Ask again." It was an opportunity for newbies to meet experienced conference attendees. We got to catch up with colleagues we knew and meet some new ones. Heritage Microfilm provided some great appetizers and beverages, dinner for some of us.

Sunday afternoon CE Course

2008-06-16T11:45:00.003-05:00

On Sunday afternoon, several people attended the CE course, learning about researching social connections using Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Attendees learned how social networking services must become a crucial part of news research. Meg Smith, from the Washington Post, gave a great presentation in person and then Catharine Skipp, from Newsweek, joined virtually for the second half of the class. Smith's handout is here, also found on the SLA News Division Program page along with presentations and handouts from other sessions. Pictures from this session to come.

Suite times at SLA!

2008-06-15T20:06:00.003-05:00

The News Division suite is in room 3315 of the Sheraton, just a short walk from the convention center. On Sunday night at 7:30 p, it opens for the mentor/mentee meet and greet. Monday is the silent auction. See you there for some sweet suite times!

Tour of The Seattle Times

2008-06-15T16:41:00.002-05:00

About 20 to 25 people met at The Seattle Times early Saturday evening. We enjoyed a virtual tour of the intranet followed by a tour of the newsroom. We also enjoyed some light refreshments. Miyoko Wolf, a Seattle Times news researcher whose desk is in the newsroom, welcomed us. Katherine Long, Research editor/Weekly Review editor, provided the tour of the Seattle Times intranet, which is called the Cafe. Items on their intranet include the upcoming story plan/budget, forms for making requests from different newsroom departments, telephone directories, database lookups, an experts list and resources for reporters. After learning about the Cafe, Katherine and Miyoko took us on a tour of the newsroom. All of the newsroom staff are located on the same floor, but the floor is not a wide open newsroom as it is in some other shops. Different departments are in different corners. Two librarians share the library with the investigative team. It was an interesting and great evening! See a slideshow of pictures from the tour here.

SLA's Innovation Laboratory

2008-06-15T10:45:00.002-05:00

So far, I think the best thing about which I've learned by coming to the SLA Annual Conference is that SLA has an online space where we can play with and learn about all kinds of technology called the Innovation Laboratory. It's just the thing we need to get our fingertips wet with the latest and greatest. There are learning videos, sandboxes where we can play, and a look at cutting edge technology. Daniel Lee, who like me is a candidate for director, told me a little bit about it during one of the board activities. One of the women who worked on it gave a presentation about it during the Leadership Development Institute Sunday morning.

News Division members Richard Geiger and Regina Avila worked on the 23 Things portion of the new online tools. It's a 9-step program to help us adjust to different technology.

Yay! What great resources!

Conference Time

2008-06-09T11:53:00.003-05:00

The annual Special Libraries Association conference starts this weekend in Seattle. The News Division has a great program planned. Are there any conference attendees interested in blogging the conference? Space is available here. Just email me or NewsDiv webmaster Amy Disch to get set up with a password.

Or, if anyone's blogging separately, Twittering, or any other form of communication from the conference, send a link and we'll post it here. There is a new News Division Facebook page, which you can join if you're a Facebook member (or join Facebook).

Internship at CNN Chicago

2008-05-07T13:38:00.000-05:00

CNN's Chicago bureau has a need for an intern this
summer to work with its video collection. If
interested, please send appropriate materials by June
15th to Jennifer Turner, CNN Library at
Jennifer.Turner@turner.com.

Internship - CNN Library – (Chicago)

Please Note: Internships are UNPAID and structured to
last approximately 10-12 weeks, generally in the
format of typical college semesters. A resume and
cover letter are required for application. Please
include days/hours of availability in your cover
letter and three references at the end of your resume.
Students should have a strong academic record (a 3.0
GPA or higher) and good character. Students must
currently be enrolled in and pursuing a Master of
Library Science (MLS) or some variation. Note to
International Students: All international interns will
be required to provide documentation of proper visa
paperwork prior to arrival. Only J1 or F1 student
visas will be accepted. Deadline is June 15th.

Internship Description: The CNN Library functions as
both as a research center and video archive, and
supports worldwide newsgathering and production for
CNN networks and web sites, as well as other Turner
companies.

The Chicago Bureau manages coverage in a 12-state
region that includes Dallas, Denver and all points in
between. It covers a wide range of stories, both
breaking news and scheduled features.

This internship will focus on video cataloging -
assessing the Chicago Bureau’s video for archiving and
then cataloging selected video in the Library content
management system.

Qualifications: Candidate must currently be enrolled
in and pursuing a Master of Library Science (MLS) or
some variation, with an interest in or focus on
journalism or special libraries preferred. Candidate
should have knowledge of Chicago/Midwest current
events and recent history. Candidates should be a
highly motivated self-starter who is detail-oriented
and able to work independently. Effective written and
verbal communication skills are a top priority.

Again, if interested, please send your resume, cover
letter, three references, and hours of availability to
Jennifer Turner, CNN Library at
Jennifer.Turner@turner.com

Database producer opening, Chicago

2008-04-25T18:23:00.000-05:00

Company: Chicago Tribune Interactive
Job Title: Database Producer
Description: Chicago Tribune Interactive is looking for someone with a great nose for data and a knack for helping present that data to online users in compelling, innovative ways. This person should be a hybrid journalist-techie -- at home in both worlds and ready to lead its online database efforts.

The ideal candidate will have a record of innovation in online media and a proven ability to execute complex editorial database projects. This is not exclusively a programming position, but it will likely require a great deal of hands-on coding.

The position requires excellent communication and team skills, and a flair for explaining complex concepts and procedures to others in clear and compelling ways.

Duties:

-- Oversee development of useful public interfaces to local data collected by Tribune journalists and third parties. Key content areas include real estate, crime, education and sports.

-- Imagine novel ways for users to interact with information and, where appropriate, contribute to and edit information.

-- Work with the newspaper's database experts, Web editorial staff and product-development teams to plan and execute online database projects

Qualifications:

-- 2-4 years experience with database programming, preferably in a media environment

-- Bachelor's degree in computer science or related technical degree preferred

-- HTML/ DHTML/CSS

-- SQL/MySQL

-- PHP/Perl/Python

-- Web Scraping

-- Basic knowledge of Flash

Additional (nice but not required):

-- JavaScript/XML/AJAX

-- PostGreSQL

-- WEB Frameworks (Django or Ruby on Rails)

-- Google Maps/Yahoo! Maps API

If you are interested in applying, or know someone who would be a great candidate for this position, please direct resumes and cover letters to Ben Estes at bestes@tribune.com.

Student Stipend Applications Sought: $1500 to attend SLA. Deadline: Wed., 4/16

2008-04-11T08:52:00.003-05:00

Hey LIS graduate students and recent grads interested in news librarianship: want $1500 to help fund your first trip to the Special Libraries Association Annual Conference? We members of the Vormelker-Thomas Student Stipend Award Committee eagerly await your applications! Complete application instructions are at: http://www.ibiblio.org/slanews/about/vormelker2008.htm.

Selection Criteria:

Applicants must be members of the Special Libraries Association when they apply for the stipend.
Applicants must be attending their first SLA conference.
Applicants must be graduate students or December 2007 graduates interested in a career in news librarianship.
Applications must include:

a word-processed essay (500-1,000 words) addressing an issue in news librarianship
a letter of reference from a news librarian, a news editor, or a faculty member
a resume
a list of course work undertaken
a statement of professional goals
a statement of what the applicant expects to gain from attending the conference

Applications must be e-mailed no later than Wednesday, April 16 at 5 p.m.

Yes, it seems like applying for the award is a lot of work, but it's worth it. The money really helps defray the cost of the conference and the award looks pretty on a resume. Few people apply, so your chances of winning are very good. Past winners include a lot of folks who go on to do great things for news librarianship.

Job notice

2008-03-28T12:50:00.001-05:00

I haven't been cross posting job offerings from the NewsLib listserv, but got a direct request to post this one:

The Sports Illustrated library has an opening for full-time research librarian. The library provides both reference and in-depth research for Sports Illustrated reporters and writers.

Requirements:

--M.L.S. from ALA accredited school preferred.

--Experience working in a news or special library.

--Extensive experience using various databases (including Nexis, Dialog, Factiva, Autotrack and Accurint) and the internet.

--Knowledge of standard print reference sources.

--Familiarity with cataloging, database design and construction (specifically Inmagic or Filemaker Pro) and archival preservation are also a plus.

Applicant should have excellent communication skills, be creative, flexible and have a broad knowledge of sports.

Please send resumes to:

Joy Birdsong

Sports Illustrated

1271 Ave. of the Americas, 32-318

New York, NY 10020

e-mail: Joy_Birdsong@simail.com

Fax: (212) 522-1719

Going to Internet Libraria 2007?

2007-10-27T23:14:00.000-05:00

A few SLA News Division members usually turn up at Internet Librarian. Raise your hand if you're going and keep an eye out for some division members. The conference is from Monday, October 29, through Wednesday, October 31, in Monterey, California. It features a lot of the latest Internet technologies and why librarians should pay attention to them.

Blogging the conference

2007-06-06T14:06:00.000-05:00

Thanks to J for posting about the conference. J has also posted some on her own blog.

Here's what I posted on my news research blog a couple days ago:

The News Division blog I started a few years ago for one of the SLA conventions is still available for posting from attendees, but no one has updated the blog in a long time. I've been tempted to at least add job postings there but since I'm not really a member any more (despite occasional contributions to the listserv), have hesitated to do it. If anyone attending the conference is reading this and wants to post to the blog, email me and I'll set you up.

The News Division, however, has a great program for the annual meeting. Hope everyone's having fun! (I would love to be a fly on the wall at this morning's Future of News Libraries seminar just to hear Mark Hannan, Jr, Reference Desk Director at USA Today. His father was my beloved boss, research director at the Washington Post, long ago.)

For news of the meetings, InfoToday's Blog is again covering the convention from inside. The buzz from yesterday and today is mostly about Al Gore, who did a book signing and a keynote speech. Of course there's also an SLA blog by attending members, including, I hope, some News Division members.

SLA Update: Monday

2007-06-05T12:20:00.000-05:00

The Special Libraries Association Annual Conference is filled with lots of News Division goodness. I've spent lots of time in News Division sessions, hanging out in the suite, and catching up with our fellow News Division colleagues.

The Denver Post tour last night was terrific. Their new digs are gorgeous. I think we spent more time talking on the 10th floor balcony than we did touring the library, oohing and aahing over its index cards and old photos. Thanks to our colleagues there for hosting us!

Afterward, I walked up the capitol and stood on any number of steps that might or might not be exactly one mile above sea level.

The Future of News Libraries session yesterday might be my favorite session so far. We're in times of great change and we need to learn how to adapt and cope. Learning what our colleagues have been through was inspiring. Nora Paul's review of technology and images was fabulous.

I know quite a few of you are really eager to find out what's happening at the conference. I've got too many balls in the air right now to do an adequate job of covering everything in real time, but I hope to be able to post notes here and on j's scratchpad eventually.

Vormelker-Thomas Student Stipend Award

2007-02-01T14:44:00.000-05:00

Each year, the News Division of the Special Libraries Association and ProQuest generously contribute $1,500 toward the Vormelker-Thomas Student Stipend Award, which is presented to a recent graduate or graduate student interested in pursuing a career in news librarianship. The money enables that student to attend their first Special Libraries Association conference, which this year is being held June 3-6 in Denver, Colorado. This is a wonderful opportunity to attend some terrific sessions and to meet and network with your future colleagues.

Deadline is Friday, March 23, 2007.

Library recognition

2007-01-19T12:22:00.000-05:00

Nice tribute to the CBC's library in the Inside the CBC.com blog: Our Secret Weapon: The CBC Reference Library with nice staff photo.

Also, last month, in case you missed it, here's another nice note for news librarians: Credible and Credited: the rise of Newspaper Librarians (PDF) study from the UK of The Guardian's library.

Dispatches from Internet Librarian

2006-10-23T16:15:00.000-05:00

I'm at Internet Librarian, along with some of our news library colleagues. If you'd like to read along, I've been posting notes from the sessions. Some of the rooms have wireless Internet connections, so I'm blogging live when I can.

Summer 2006 News Library News is up

2006-08-15T21:01:00.000-05:00

The Summer 2006 issue of News Library News is now posted on the News Division's Web site. It's full of interesting articles detailing the goings on within the News Division at the annual SLA Conference held in Baltimore in June.

This is also editor Kathryn Pease's last issue. Kathryn did a terrific job and it was a pleasure working with her the past two years.

Our new editor is Leigh Montgomery of The Christian Science Monitor. Welcome Leigh, we look forward to working with you.

On researchers

2006-07-31T09:45:00.000-05:00

American Journalism Review has a nice article by an editorial assistant, Alia Malik, about news researchers: Beyond the Byline. Several news researchers are quoted or mentioned here, including the Sun-Sentinel's computer assisted reporting expert, John Maines.
The others: The Union-Tribune's Erin Hobbs, Denise Davidson, Peter Uribe and the late Cecilia Iñiguez; Columbus Dispatch's Jim Hunter; Anne Holcomb of the Kalamazoo Gazette; National Geographic's Ellie Briscoe; Michael Panzer of the Philadelphia Inquirer; and Raleigh's Denise Jones.

Nice quote from Maines:

"I'm in the back of the airplane," he explains. "I'm the navigator, I'm the bombardier. I'm not the person who's flying the plane, but my job's extremely important, and they're relying on me to make sure we get where we're going and that we don't drop a bomb on a church."

One more in a growing list of recognition for news researchers.

Atlanta job

2006-07-26T10:04:00.000-05:00

This job is no longer posted.

2 jobs in NY

2006-07-19T13:39:00.000-05:00

Job title: Senior Information Specialist

Salary: Open

Location: New York, New York

Employer: Forbes, Inc.

Type: Full Time - Experienced

Category: Arts, Entertainment, Media

Required Education: Masters in Library or Information Studies

Forbes Inc. seeks an experienced Information Specialist to join our staff. The primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to performing research upon request from the editorial and other staff. This includes research that is performed online, with print resources, and via telephone. Responsibilities include recommending acquisitions for the collection, both online and print.

The requirements for this position include an MLS from an accredited program, coursework in advanced or specialized reference, and a minimum of five years related employment experience with online database searching. Familiarity with automated library environment is required. Some technology related work is included in the responsibilities (e.g. catalog maintenance). Experience in business or social science research preferred. Minimal managerial experience required.

Note: No relocation costs, local applicants preferred. Please email your cover letter, resume and salary requirements to careers@forbesinc.com. No phone calls.

Forbes is America's leading biweekly business magazine, reaching over 4.9 million readers. Since 1917, its mission has been to provide access to information and insights that ensure its readers' success. Faithfully fulfilling that promise is what draws today's most influential business leaders to Forbes.

Anne P. Mintz

Director of Knowledge Management

Forbes Inc.

amintz -- at -- forbes.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I am looking for a temporary researcher to fill in until a full time
researcher is in place.

This can be from 25-30 hours per week. The position will last from July
31 probably through Labor Day or perhaps a bit beyond.

Please send resume and cover letter to my attention via e-mail only,
with minimum hourly requirements (I think what we have in mind is quite
fair).

Requirements are: MLS or equivalent degree, experience in online and
print research in business and/or social science environment. Nexis and
Factiva fluency required.

Forbes Inc. is the publisher of Forbes, Forbes Asia, ForbesLife,
Forbes.com, American Heritage, American Legacy and other publications.
It is located near several major subway stops in Manhattan.

Anne Mintz

Anne P. Mintz
Director of Knowledge Management
Forbes Inc.
amintz -- at -- forbes.com
212-620-2499- phone
212-620-1811 - fax

Conference photos

2006-07-19T09:29:00.000-05:00

Barbara Semonche has created a page of photos from the SLA News Division awards dinner at her Park Library at UC website. A blast down memory lane to see Kwapil award winner Nora Paul after her several years away from news libraries, and nice to see the Miami Herald's Rafael Fernandez, a fellowship winner, well deserved. Several other favorite news librarians from years past -- and present -- too.

Conference presentations

2006-06-18T16:54:00.000-05:00

Presentations from the majority of Division-sponsored programs at the SLA annual conference are now available on the Division's 2006 conference page. Podcasts of each will be forthcoming.

Mary Ellen Bates has requested that her presentation be removed from the site after two weeks, so you may wish to print it out or save it to your computer.