ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries 1 8 2 /C & R L News Barbara Lockett, from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, described a library in process of transfor­ mation. Effective partnerships with com puting ser­ vices and other departm ents, reorganization, diplo­ macy, anticipating users’ needs, and perseverance has resulted in the library’s ability to deliver a wide range o f information resources over the campus network. And the word on networks throughout the conference was standardization. The overall impression I brought away from this exceptionally energizing conference was of a group o f com m itted professionals all aware that, an im­ mense change is im pending of a magnitude not seen since the days of Gutenberg. Many individuals and organizations are actively experimenting and trying to divine the future, b u t no clear vision has yet em erged. Clifford Lynch, from the University of California, sum m ed it up as “flailing about.” Lynch attributed the confusion we are currently experi­ encing to the many kinds of communications now emerging, in addition to the evolution of traditional publishing. T he current stage of m odernization will result in innovation and, finally, transform ation will occur. It is clear that the future will be shaped by publishers and information and com puter comm u­ nications specialists working in partnership, and talking together at conferences like Electronic Pub­ lishing and Networking.—A nn de Klerk, Director o f Library Services, Buckneü University ■ ■ Media tips: Speaking successfully Ed. note: These tips are reprinted w ith permis­ sion fr o m the handouts prepared by A L A f o r the media training workshop given f o r division presi­ dents and vice-presidents. 1. P r e p a r e , p r e p a r e , p r e p a r e . T h ere’s no substitute. And rem em ber it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. T here are two elem ents to every good public address— c o ntent (substance) and d e­ livery (style). You need both. 2. K n o w y o u r a u d ie n c e . Find out who will be there, how large an audience to expect. Ask about the age range, educational background, special interests and activities o f the group’s members, their familiarity with libraries. 3. P e r s o n a liz e y o u r m e s s a g e . T he goal o f the speaker is to deliver information the audience b e­ lieves it needs. T he speech must have value to the audience. It will never grab the audience’s attention if the audience believes, for instance, that libraries are in trouble b ut there is no threat to them . 4. T alk — d o n ’t “ s p e a k .” Aim to be understood, not to impress. Elim inate librarian jargon. Use statistics sparingly. Make generous use o f personal anecdotes, examples and experiences that the audi­ ence can relate to. 5. S ay it a n d sa y i t a g a in . It’s im portant in oral comm unication to repeat key points. Tell them w hat you’re going to tell them in your opening remarks. Tell them , in the body of your remarks, the details of what you want them to know. And finally, in closing, tell them what you told them — review the m ajor points. 6. W r ite o u t y o u r r e m a r k s w o r d f o r w o rd . T hen read them out loud. Ask a nonlibrarian to listen and give feedback on w hether you are inter­ esting—and understandable. 7. P r a c tic e so many times that you have your remarks almost memorized. I f you are comfortable speaking from notes, use only an outline. 8. D r e s s s ty lish ly b ut conservatively so the audience is listening to what you say— not how you look. Avoid bright white shirts/blouses that will reflect a visual glare if the podium is lit. 9. M a k e t h e a u d ie n c e lik e y o u . Establish eye contact. Share som ething personal about your­ self—a story your listeners can relate to and that leads into the issue. 10. T e ll j o k e s sp a r in g ly . H um or is nice b ut few of us are comics. 11. V ary t h e p itc h a n d s p e e d o f y o u r v o ic e . L et your passion show. T he most m em orable and convincing speakers are those who speak from the heart. 12. U s e y o u r b o d y — especially your hands, face and u pper body to bring additional animation to your remarks. 13. U s e v isu a l a id s b ut only if they will add to the understanding or impact of your remarks. D im ­ ming the lights can be negative, especially during an evening meeting. 14. G a u g e y o u r a u d ie n c e r e s p o n s e and make adjustm ents accordingly. Beware o f fidgeting and whispering. It’s b e tte r to bring your remarks to an early halt and take questions than to bore an audi­ ence. 15. B e b r ie f. In general, limit your remarks to 20 minutes. Most people, especially in the evening, have a short attention span. F ar b e tte r to leave the audience wanting m ore than wanting to get rid of you. 16. E n jo y y o u r s e lf. You are prepared. You have an im portant message. I f you’re enjoying yourself, chances are the audience will too. ■ ■ March 1992/183 Recruitment open for two ACRL editorships A C R L P u b lic a tio n s in L ib r a r ia n s h ip . A CRL’s m onograph series, A C R L Publications in Librari­ anship (PIL), will require a new e ditor to serve on a volunteer basis w hen Jonathan Lindsey com pletes his term o f service. T he incom ing e ditor will serve as associate editor from Septem ber 1992 to June 1993 and will assume full editorship for a five-year period in July 1993. R a r e B o o k s & M a n u s c r ip ts L ib r a r ia n s h ip . ACRL’s journal, Rare Books ir M anuscripts L i­ rarianship, will require a new e ditor to serve on a volunteer basis w hen Alice Schreyer com pletes her term o f service. T he incom ing e ditor will serve as associate edito rfro m S eptem ber 1992 to June 1993 and will assume full editorship for a three-year period in July 1993. R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a n d q u a l i f i c a t i o n s T o g eth er with th eir editorial boards, th e editors are charged w ith encouraging research and writing that may b e appropriate for th eir respective publi­ cations, soliciting topics, suggesting th em to appro­ priate authors, and editing and refereeing m anu­ scripts. T he editor and editorial board o f P IL work b closely w ith ALA Books and Publishing Services to assure th e highest quality o f m anuscripts and p u b ­ lication. Both editorships re q u ire A CRL m em bership, and candidates should have a background o f ser­ vice in academ ic or re sea rc h librarianship; expe­ rience in research, editing, and b ibliographic ac­ tivities; a concern w ith p ublications as a m eans o f professional com m unication; a nd an ability to analyze m anuscripts for co n te n t, re sea rc h m e th ­ ods, form , stru c tu re , or style. T h e e d ito r o íR B M L also needs to have expertise in special collections librarianship. H o w t o a p p ly Persons wishing to b e considered for one o f the available editorships should com m unicate th eir in ­ terest, accom panied by a statem ent o f qualifica­ tions a nd nam es o f references, by April 15, to: Pam ela Snelson, Chair, A CRL Publication C om ­ m ittee, D re w University Library, Madison, NJ 07940; (201) 408-3635. Interview s with final candi­ dates will take place at the ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco. B B