The big picture: SLA's commitment to priorities yields results as conference planners look forward.(SLA PREVIEW 2006)(Calendar)

Into 2006, SLA has remained focused on its goals of learning, networking, and recruitment, and that focus is playing out for the organization itself and in the programming for this year's conference in Baltimore, June 11-14.

Click University, the online learning system that debuted to SLA members last spring (sla.learn.com), has evolved to include live, interactive, web-based presentations via Click U Live! It offers selected continuing education (CE) sessions from the last annual conference (as it will for this year's), plus speeches by SLA's CEO Janice Lachance, in addition to regular CE and degree programs. Certificate programs based on the SLA Core Competencies are coming soon.

A key to promoting SLA's networking efforts was the Office Operations Committee decision to change the top title from executive director to CEO. "Having a CEO as the top staff executive ...means that doors may often open more easily for us," SLA president Pare Rollo explained in the January 2006 announcement.

Membership recruitment remains a top priority. While members approved (in SLA's first virtual vote) a dues increase from $125 to $160, for the first time those earning less than $35,000 will pay less--$99. Retired, …