ASKPro - Why I like it

In case you haven't heard, the Special Libraries Association (SLA) is in the process of a possible name change. The board has selected Association of Strategic Knowledge Professionals (ASKPro) as the proposed name, and the membership will be voting on this change soon.

As an SLA member and an info pro who doesn't work in a library, I happen to like the name and the acronym. A colleague recently asked me why, and I was forced to put into words something that was at first just a gut feeling. However, in true info pro spirit, I needed to first search for a good definition of 'strategic.' I found three that seemed to apply here:

• "Important or essential in relation to a plan of action"
• "The plans made or the actions taken in an effort to help the organisation fulfill its intended purpose"
• "Highly important to the intended objective"

So, based on these definitions, here are my top reasons for why I like ASKPro:

• It’s not about our job titles or our institutions. It’s about what I consider an essential 21st-century job skill for info pros. You wouldn’t think of applying for a job without, for example, Microsoft Office skills. In the 21st century, an info pro can’t be competitive in the job market without strategic skills.
• It’s more descriptive, and it’s more inclusive—Librarians are just a subset of the universe of info pros. However, we all deal with strategic knowledge, no matter our function or where we do our work.
• It takes our profession up a notch. We are not caretakers of information. We interact with it, and we are experts.
• You should never do market research unless you plan to do something with the information. The market research speaks for itself, and the association would be remiss if it doesn’t learn from it and act upon it.
• It's not just a rehash of what’s already out there.The acronym is unique and memorable.
• It's just plain better than anything else anyone has come up with, and it’s time to make a change.
• It signals that the association will be here in the future.

Comments

[gloria zamora]

Marcy,
I could kiss you!! Well said

Gloria

[Maura]

I love the proposed name and I think you've made a great case for it and...saved me the effort. Thanks you!