Keeping Up Is Hard To Do... Unless You're Connected

Our professional lives are full of the acronyms of technology and standards that were the province of the ultra specialists just yesterday -- XML, Z39.50, open URL, FRBR to name a few. Most of us operate in environments where decisions proceed at less than the same lightening speed. So, we are constantly balancing our daily working lives with the effort of understanding the visionaries and what the alphabet soup might do for our online bibliographic systems. In short, we're on a continual quest for the best service to our users and it's no easy feat. I have been fortunate in my career to connect with the knowledgeable members of OBS who are unfailingly generous in helping me understand new concepts and systems. I have been able to connect informally by phone and email and formally through TSLL and OBS sponsored and co-sponsored programs. Education is a major aspect of the OBS mission and strategic planning. OBS programs have been a major part of my continuing education. The Education Committee has convened to act on developing the programs for Boston that were preferred by the respondents to the annual survey. (A summary will be found in this issue. Thanks to Kevin Butterfield for taking charge of the survey and to all who responded.) I encourage OBS members who have expertise in those areas of popular interest to get involved in the program planning- as consultants, as speakers, or as coordinators. Let's continue to stay connected.

And the Nominees Are...

I am very pleased to report that the Nominations Committee, Ellen McGrath, Chair with Susan Chinoransky, Anna Belle Leiserson has assembled an outstanding slate for this year's election.

Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect:

• Georgia Briscoe, University of Colorado Law Library
• Naomi Goodman, Valparaiso University Law Library

Secretary/Treasurer:

• Michael Maben, Indiana University School of Law Library
• Barbara Szalkowski, The Fred Parks Law Library, South Texas College of Law

Member-at-Large:

• Julianna Davis, University of Mississipi Law Library
• Andrea Rabbia, H. Douglas Barclay Law Library, Syracuse University College of Law

The OBS Board is grateful to all of our candidates for their enthusiastic support of OBS and their willingness to contribute their time so that OBS will continue to Communicate, Educate and Connect. Candidates' information will be available on the OBS website

OBS Contributes to George A. Strait Minority Scholarship

OBS has answered ALL SIS's call for SIS contribution to the George A. Strait Minority Scholarship. (Full scholarship details can be found at http://www.aallnet.org/services/strait-br.asp) West contributed $150,000 in 2001 to endow the George A. Strait Minority Scholarship with the understanding that AALL would raise another $100,000 for the endowment. While OBS's contribution is a modest $200 this represents 12% of our current funds and also represents the Board's endorsement of this worthy fund raising effort. Please consider making a personal donation.