Note for Blogging for News Participants

The e-mail Jessica Baumgart sent to participants in the SLA News Division
Continuing Education course Blogging for News is now available on the SLA News Division Web site.

Conference Blog

Did you know there's a SLA Toronto Conference Blog? Very useful, with information and links, including info about driving into Canada (as I'll be doing), currency exchange, and a link to a blog posting by our own Jessica Baumgart about internet access in conference hotels.
There's even notice that the ferry from Rochester to/from Toronto doesn't start running til June 17. Too bad. I had been hoping to take it, until I checked the story in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle that's linked from the blog.

Blog the conference

Anyone who's going to the SLA conference next month in Toronto is invited to contribute reports from the News Division -- or other -- sessions to this blog. We would like it to be a place where people who can't go to the conference can get news from it. Last year we posted photos, and comments and reports from several folks.
This year, neither Jessica nor I will be there the whole week so we can't cover the main part of the conference.
So if you'd like to contribute, email Jessica or me (links in right-hand column) and we can set you up with a sign on. It's fun and easy!
J and I will also be covering blogging in the Sunday CE course and we'll be setting up some blogs from there. Keep an eye out!

A job posting:

Director of Information Services

The Miami Herald newsroom is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Information Services. This individual must have a strong interest in combining traditional library services with new technologies and in ensuring that library services become an integral part of the newsgathering and news processing operation. He/she will oversee the management and planning of the library, assist senior Editors in negotiating contracts for services, materials and equipment, prepare the annual budget and supervise a staff of seven.

In addition, the position requires that the successful candidate excel in user services, helping staffers in the newsroom access information quickly and effectively in a variety of scholarly and public information sources. In order to accomplish this objective, the position calls for the ability to build and/or maintain the organization's information resources. The DIS must be able to design storage and retrieval systems and to develop or evolve procedures for collecting, organizing, interpreting and classifying information across platforms. Lastly, the DIS must also plan for future information needs and keep up to date with technological advances.

The successful candidate must hold a master's degree in library science, have at least five years experience in managing the library of a media institution. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure a must.

The Miami Herald Publishing Company offers outstanding full-time benefits which include medical and dental coverage; domestic partner benefits; tuition reimbursement; pension, stock purchase and 401(k) plans; and generous vacation policy. We conduct background and drug tests. The Miami Herald Publishing company is committed to work force diversity. We welcome applications from all individuals.

Apply online: ahernandez@herald.com or mail your resume and materials to:

Liza Gross, Managing Editor
Presentation/Operations
The Miami Herald
One Herald Plaza
Miami, Florida 33132

Fixing Journalism:
The Washington Post's Derek Willis has challenged news librarians and researchers to be information technology evangelists in their newsroom, after publishing an essay on what's wrong with journalism on his TheScoop website. The link was posted to NewsLib a few days ago and now has been linked to by Romenesko.