Events, opportunities, news from the Association and its volunteer teams
By Michele Bate
The awards dinner is always a highlight of the AIIP Annual Conference, since it gives attendees an opportunity to honour and celebrate peers who exemplify the AIIP ethos. Although this year’s conference was virtual, we did not miss out, as the awards ceremony was brought to our screens instead, with the award winners called “on stage” to make an acceptance speech.
Continue reading The AIIP Oscars – Lights, Camera, Action!Each year at our conference, AIIP recognizes members’ and other thought leaders’ contributions to the industry, the association, and individuals. Join us at #AIIP21, The Virtual Conference for Independent Info Pros, as we honor this year’s award recipients on April 14th at 4:30 pm EDT. Visit https://virtual21.aiip.org/ to register for the virtual conference and reserve your spot at the Awards Ceremony.
Continue reading Join Us as AIIP Recognizes Exceptional MembersBy: Barbara Hanlon Pappas
Editor’s note: Before the AIIP Connections blog, our members shared knowledge through the print and digital editions of the AIIP Connections newsletter. Issues from 1991 through 2019 are now archived on in the members-only section of the association’s website.
I attended my first AIIP conference in 2019 and decided that I wanted to be more involved with the association. I am interested in websites, so I introduced myself to the webmaster and web committee chair, Connie Clem, and asked if she could use a volunteer. During the Spring of 2020, I finished a project assisting Connie with uploading issues to the AIIP Connections Archive. It was a rewarding experience, for some surprising reasons.
Continue reading Some Things Never Change: AIIP Connections PreservedThe AIIP Awards Committee, chaired by Arthur Weiss with Michele Bate and Tom Wolff as judges, manages the nominations and the selection of the Sue Rugge and Pam Wegmann Award winners. Our president, Judith Binder, recommended the recipient of the Marilyn M. Levine AIIP President’s Award.
In memory of the award’s first recipient, the AIIP President’s Award was renamed in 2010 as the Marilyn M. Levine AIIP President’s Award. This award is presented at the recommendation of the President to recognize a person or institution demonstrating extraordinary support of the objectives of the association.
This year we recognized the 2019-2020 Virtual Events committee, comprising co-chairs Elizabeth McLean and Kelly Berry, and members Mary Ellen Bates and Betty Nordeng.
AIIP’s Webinar Committee was transformed into the Virtual Events Committee in January 2019, in response to requests from our members for different ways to present valuable content and provide virtual networking opportunities. Since that time, Kelly, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, and Betty have imagined, created, tested, tried, evaluated, and improved AIIP’s virtual events program with creativity and grace. Their hard work and dedication have been invaluable to making this member benefit a huge success.
The Sue Rugge Memorial Award recalls the memory of Sue, who was widely regarded as the pioneer of the independent information industry. She was an active member of AIIP and served as president from 1988 to 1989. Beyond her principle endeavors, Sue is fondly remembered by many AIIP members as a mentor in the purest form. Sue passed away on June 12, 1999 in Oakland, California. This award is presented to a full member of AIIP who has significantly helped another member or members through formal or informal mentoring.
The 2020 winner of this year’s Sue Rugge Memorial Award is Jennifer Burke.
Deb Hunt, who nominated Jennifer, highlights how even highly experienced members benefit from the collegial approach of AIIP:
“From the moment I met Jennifer at an AIIP conference some years ago, I knew she was going to be an influence for good in AIIP and beyond … She is smart, patient and passionate about her work and helping others to do their work better … Jennifer’s combination of selflessness, fun and professionalism is rare and makes her a valuable asset to AIIP, our profession, and her colleagues.”
Jennifer represents the unique spirit of sharing expertise, experience, and knowledge to advance the independent information profession that is Sue Rugge’s legacy.
The Pam Wegmann Award recognizes a member who demonstrates extraordinary support of AIIP’s global presence. Pam, who served as an AIIP President from 2002 to 2003, was particularly interested in AIIP’s role as a global leader in the information industry.
The 2020 winner of the Pam Wegmann Award is Marydee Ojala.
Amelia Kassel, who nominated her, remembers Marydee’s presence at every Online International-UK conference, tirelessly promoting AIIP and broadening our international membership. Amelia noted, “Marydee Ojala is and has been a stalwart supporter of AIIP for as long as I can remember, especially on the international scene.”
Marydee has been an AIIP member since 1987 and has held board positions as Secretary and Treasurer. She inspires members to follow in her footsteps and promote AIIP as they travel the world.
For more information about how AIIP recognizes contributions to the industry, to the association, and to individual members, please visit the Awards page.
Phyllis Smith serves as the Secretary of AIIP’s Board of Directors. She is a partner in ITKVector Inc. in Canada.
By Mary Ellen Bates
The Association of Independent Information Professionals has plenty of opportunities for members to learn and develop new skills through volunteering and supporting AIIP. The program of virtual meetings and other events is thriving thanks to the efforts of three dedicated volunteers from the newly formed Virtual Events Committee.
Continue reading AIIP volunteer spotlight: The Virtual Events CommitteeMembers of the Association of Independent Information Professionals (aiip.org) met for their 31st annual conference May 18-21, 2017 at the Hampton Inn Conference Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual conference provided a unique opportunity for independent informational professionals from around the world to meet, build new relationships and hone their business skills.
This year’s theme of Resilience, Reinvention, Renewal: Pivoting For Success was well represented in program sessions and highlighted with the keynote speech by Jenny Blake, author of Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One.
Continue reading Global association of information entrepreneurs meets in New Orleans
We asked our AIIP Past Presidents to share their tips on building and growing a successful independent information business.
Marcy Phelps, AIIP President (2009-2010) shares tips on long term planning.
At meetings of the I-25ers, a group of independent information professionals located in and around Colorado, we often discuss how to stay focused. It’s getting harder and harder, with the many hats we wear and the ever-increasing rate of change in our lives and work, to make decisions about our businesses and carry them out.
Setting goals for the next 5 or 10 years provides focus in our lives and milestones for success.
It will also keep you sane.
As ever, library innovation conference Internet Librarian International (ILI) 2016 – 18 & 19 October, London – is all about responding to challenge through innovation, with the emphasis on sharing, learning and evolution.
This year’s conference themes have been steered by a panel of previous delegates, with two ‘big questions’ emerging and addressed through some 60 presentations by experts from around the world: how do info pros demonstrate the importance of their role and services; and how do they compete with Google? These broad challenges are explored in depth next month, with AIIP members benefiting from a 25% discount on the full conference fee.
Continue reading Internet Librarian International conference
