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Get ready to celebrate the unsung heroes of the library world on International Special Librarians Day on April 13! These dedicated professionals play a crucial role in managing and curating information for specialized fields such as law, medicine, or corporate industries. This day is a chance to recognize their hard work and give them the appreciation they deserve. Did you know that special librarians have been around since the mid-1800s? They have continuously evolved with technology and changing information needs, making them an essential part of any organization. So let's raise a book (or a digital device) to these amazing individuals on their special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1853</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Start of Special Librarianship</div><div class='timeline-text'>John Shaw Billings, a physician and librarian, marked the beginning of special librarianship when he took charge of the library at the Surgeon General’s Office.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1909</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of SLA</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Special Libraries Association (SLA) was founded in the United States to provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas among special librarians.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1931</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>SLA's Professional Development</div><div class='timeline-text'>The SLA proposed a graduate level training course for prospective special librarians, formalizing professional development in the field.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1983</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Emergence of Digital Libraries</div><div class='timeline-text'>Special librarians began adapting to the growing influence of digital technologies, marking a significant turning point in the profession.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise of Internet</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the rise of the Internet, special librarians took up the critical role of managing and curating digital resources for their organizations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Special Librarians Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first International Special Librarians Day was celebrated, officially recognizing the invaluable contributions of these professionals to their organizations and society.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a networking event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather fellow special librarians and organize a networking event to celebrate International Special Librarians Day. This is a great way to connect with others in the field and share knowledge and experiences.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a special library display</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Showcase the importance and impact of special librarians by creating a display at your library or workplace. Use posters, books, and other materials to educate others about the role of special librarians.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a professional development workshop</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take advantage of this day to invest in your professional growth by attending a workshop or conference focused on special librarianship. Learn new skills and network with other professionals in the field.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer at a local library</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate International Special Librarians Day by giving back to the community. Volunteer at a local library and share your knowledge and expertise with others.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a book club</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Start a book club with other special librarians and discuss books related to the field. This is a great way to connect with others and learn from different perspectives.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Special librarians are essential for knowledge management</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>International Special Librarians Day celebrates the contributions of these professionals who play a crucial role in organizing, preserving, and disseminating information. With their expertise in numerous fields and specialized training, special librarians provide invaluable support in managing knowledge and facilitating research.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They connect people with the resources they need</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Special librarians serve as liaisons between users and information sources, helping individuals find the exact resources they need for research or work. They not only possess expert knowledge of library databases, but are also skilled in conducting efficient search strategies to locate relevant and accurate information for their clients.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They contribute to the development of new technologies and techniques in library science</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Special librarians are constantly adapting to advancements in technology and changes in user needs to improve access to information. They regularly attend conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities to stay current with the latest tools and techniques in library science. Their dedication to innovation and improvement is vital for the evolution of the field.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-list'><div class='facts-item'><p class='facts-number'>Fact 1:</h3><h3 class='facts-title'>Special Librarians Often Specialize in Specific Fields</h3><p class='facts-content'>Because of the specialized nature of their work, many special librarians have knowledge and backgrounds in the specific fields they serve, such as law, medicine, business, or natural sciences, allowing them to effectively find, interpret and present relevant information.</p></div><div class='facts-item'><p class='facts-number'>Fact 2:</h3><h3 class='facts-title'>Special Librarians Help in Decision Making Process</h3><p class='facts-content'>Special librarians play a crucial role when it comes to decision making in their organizations by providing accurate and up-to-date data, aiding in informed decision-making processes.</p></div><div class='facts-item'><p class='facts-number'>Fact 3:</h3><h3 class='facts-title'>Special Librarians are the Gatekeepers of Authentic Information</h3><p class='facts-content'>In an era teeming with misinformation and "fake news," special librarians play a vital role filtering out irrelevant or inaccurate information, delivering verified and reliable resources to their communities.</p></div><div class='facts-item'><p class='facts-number'>Fact 4:</h3><h3 class='facts-title'>Special Librarians Often Collaborate with Other Departments</h3><p class='facts-content'>As keepers of knowledge, special librarians often work closely with other departments or project teams within their institutions to provide necessary data, support research work, and lend their expertise for maximum success.</p></div><div class='facts-item'><p class='facts-number'>Fact 5:</h3><h3 class='facts-title'>Special Librarians are Multi-Skilled Professionals</h3><p class='facts-content'>Aside from traditional librarianship skills, many special librarians also possess skills in management, project administration, IT, data analysis, and more. This multifaceted skill set enables them to adapt to the needs of their respective organizations and maintain the relevance of their services.</p></div></div>
International Special Librarians Day is celebrated on April 13 every year. In 2024, the holiday falls on a Saturday.
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