In deciding how you will vote between November 16 and December 9 on the proposed name change, I'd like you to take a step back. Rather than focusing on the "trees" of adjectives, nouns, titles, etc., please think not just about the "forest," but about the entire landscape—and beyond, to the horizon. Consider the way in which our profession and our association are perceived by users, clients, patrons, employers, potential employers, and the public at large. This broad view directly impacts our individual and collective futures.

Again, this year marks my 40^th as a librarian. During that span, I’ve worked in international, federal, bi-state government; quasi-government; academic; solo; company; and public libraries—and have volunteered in el-hi school libraries. Subject areas with which I’ve dealt include business, transportation, engineering, defense, law, political science, trade, news, and labor. My job descriptions have covered reference, technical services, cataloging, collection development, abstracting, indexing, thesaurus construction, database creation and maintenance, head librarian, information specialist, researcher, webmaster, senior communications advisor, and a myriad of other electronic applications (e-alerts, digital business cards, etc.).

Regardless of where we work or our specific position or designation, as information professionals we provide strategic knowledge. We facilitate informed decision-making, whether for a scholar, a researcher, an executive, or an official. That is the essence of “strategic knowledge”—a term demonstrated by the extensive research to resonate most effectively with those in "the outside world." And enabling enhanced decision-making will never go out of fashion.

Yes, the "Association for Strategic Knowledge Professionals" may generate questions among that group. But they will be the right sorts of questions that will afford us a singular opportunity to communicate in an accurate and effective manner precisely what we do and the value we add to decision-making.

Still, whether the association’s name is changed this year or not, we must proceed to align ourselves and our organization for the new century and its inherent challenges. We cannot remain static if we are to flourish.

So, I urge you to take the long view: look to the future.

Ann Sweeney

Division Cabinet Chair-Elect; Chair, International Relations Section, Social Science Division

[Senior Communications Advisor: Electronic Publications
European Union - European Commission Delegation
2300 M Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 862-9546
Fax: (202-429-1766
Email: ann.sweeney@ec.europa.eu
Website: http://www.eurunion.org]