Dear Library and Information Science Professional:

The Special Libraries Association is seeking proposals for the 2000 Steven I. Goldspiel Memorial Research Grant. Available to both practitioners and academics internationally, including Ph.D. students, the purpose of the grant is to support projects which promote research of interest to special librarians and information professionals. Recent awards have been close to $20,000, though projects with smaller budgets are also encouraged.

Membership in SLA is not a prerequisite.

Recent projects have sought to create metadata standards for classifying moving images, to understand how users develop and utilize cognitive patterns when using digital resources, and to determine the ways in which special librarians provide needed information to telecommuters. These are all exciting projects, and projects from which all information professionals will benefit.

Goldspiel applications are evaluated by SLA's Research Committee based on the purpose and objectives of the proposed project, the significance of the topic to the profession, the project's methodology, the qualifications of the researcher, and the appropriateness of the project's budget and timetable. The deadline for the SLA Research Director to receive applications is February 28, 2000.

Application materials may be received from SLA's fax on demand service in North America (toll-free: 1-888-411-2856) or internationally (toll-charge: 1-415-278-3910), items #1401-1406. Alternatively, you may visit SLA's website at http://www.sla.org/research/index.html or contact Ruth M. Arnold, Ph.D., SLA's Research Director at 1-516-679-3746; fax: 1-202-265-93