A Few Comments from Past Presidents
Teresa Malinowski (1992/1993):
1) How has NASIG impacted our profession over the last 20 years?
Right from the start, NASIG sought to be different from other organizations by providing a shared collegial experience among librarians, publishers, and vendors that fostered dialogue and information sharing. Representation and participation from all segments of the serials community was established and pursued as a key organizational goal. Conference programming, the size of the conference, and lack of exhibits all helped create a community atmosphere supporting respectful, honest discourse. NASIG has played a strong educational role during its twenty year history. By design, conferences include presentations on important, cutting-edge issues impacting serials and librarianship as well as workshops focusing on common problems and nuts & bolts issues. Given that library science programs provide only basic if any instruction on the acquisition, cataloging, and management of serials, NASIG has supported the training of new professionals. Also, by providing opportunities to serve on standing committees, conference committees, and its executive board, NASIG has helped individuals achieve their own professional goals.
2) Please describe what you consider to be your most memorable NASIG experience.
This is difficult because so many experiences come to mind! NASIG has provided me with wonderful opportunities for professional and personal growth as well as enjoyable hours spent with colleagues and friends. Which experience is most memorable? The opening session of NASIG? inaugural conference held at Bryn Mawr with the excitement of a pioneering effort to draw all segments of the serials community together in a new and different manner? The paper on scientific visualization with stunning video images presented by Dr. John Mustard, professor of geological sciences (Brown 1993) and the paper on reinventing knowledge by Dr. John Lienhard, professor of mechanical engineering & history (Albuquerque 1996)? Both brought the thrill of new ideas from outside the immediate realm of serials. Then there are visual memories?ASIG picture postcards: walking to the conference banquet with Niagara Falls as the backdrop (Ontario 1990); watching the sun set and the downtown city lights come on at the conference reception high atop the AMOCO building (Chicago 1992); enjoying the spectacular view of the Vancouver harbor and North Shore mountains from the grounds of the Museum of Anthropology (Vancouver 1994).
If I have to select one experience, while taking the luxury of mentioning several, it would be a very personal one, the day spent with the 1993 Conference Planning Committee. Pat Putney and Jean Callaghan were co-chairs of the committee which handled site arrangements for the conference held at Brown University in Providence, RI. The meeting was in October 1992. It was a glorious autumn day that showcased the stately beauty of the New England campus. Jean, Pat, and the rest were so excited about bringing the conference to Brown. Their ideas, energy, and enthusiasm were intoxicating. While that day was a unique one for the committee and me, the experience of conference planning has been had by nineteen other committees. The dedication and hard work of all the Conference Planning Committees has enabled our organization to thrive. Thanks to all past conference committee members. Thanks for the memories!
Maggie Rioux (2002/2002):
1) I think NASIG's impact has been as a place/organization for coming together for all the different players in the serials chain. I know it's been of great benefit to me to hear others' points of view and to see where they're coming from, even if I don't agree with them. NASIG conferences have also impacted the profession by providing a broad range of continuing education that I haven't seen offered anywhere else, certainly not in such a concentrated setting.
2) I have a couple of memorable NASIG experiences. The first was my very first NASIG - Chicago in 1992 - I was in awe to actually be in the same room with Marcia Tuttle and Chris Lynch. Wow - giants walked the earth. The second was when I gave my first NASIG presentation as part of the ECC's preconference at the Vancouver conference - I gave a talk on gopher to about well over 100 people - it was by far the biggest group I'd ever faced. There have been lots of other notable experiences - giving birth to NASIGWeb, being elected president - but I think these I've mentioned are the most notable.
Julia Gammon (1995/1996):
1) Congratulations NASIG on reaching your 20th anniversary! NASIG's impact on the profession has been far reaching in many areas, but I will focus on one close to my heart. When I think of NASIG I think of programs. For value for the dollar, membership in NASIG has provided excellent and innovative programming both at annual conferences and on the road in regional settings. The standard set by those program committee members in the early years has continued each year--raising the bar higher and higher. Many in other library professional organizations look to NASIG's programming as a model to emulate. Great conferences have in turn given NASIG the financial backing to grow and expand, as well as trained new leaders who have transferred their NASIG-honed skills to work in other professional organizations. With the dedicated members we have in NASIG, I know the organization will continue to grow and prosper in the future. Good luck!
2) I think my most memorable NASIG experience was arriving at the 1996 Conference at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and seeing over 600 of my best friends and colleagues there. What a thrill it was to preside over that conference! I cherish that professional highlight of my library career.
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