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SIS Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I have to be employed as a librarian or information specialist to join SIS?

A. No. Anyone interested in furthering the purpose of the organization is welcome to join. You can find out about all of these nuts-n-bolts issues by taking a look at our bylaws. (Don't worry; they're fairly short and sweet!) Students are especially welcome, and so are vendors, consultants and those who are either temporarily or permanently retired or otherwise unemployed. You don't even have to live in the Tampa Bay area! As a matter of fact, if you're an information professional who unearthed this site via one of the Web search engines, and you're thinking about relocating here, it would be quite prudent to join SIS just to get on our mailing list. (End of mercifully brief, self-serving promotional message...)

Q. How long has SIS been around, anyhow?

A. In rudimentary form, since 1983! The organization became officially known as Suncoast Information Specialists in 1984. Get all the salacious (don't we wish) details by reading "A Brief History of SIS" -- written by Betsy King, who has been around since the beginning, and has basically evolved into the heart and soul of SIS.

Q. How much does it cost to join?

A. A measily five bucks! The SIS membership year begins January 1 and runs through December 31. Dues are not pro-rated.

Q. What do I get for my five bucks?

A. More than you ever dreamed possible!

• Six--count 'em--six copies of our bimonthly newsletter (available in both electronic and dead-tree format)
• The opportunity to network with colleagues and other interesting folks at six bimonthly meetings
• The annual SIS directory -- a gold mine of professional contacts in the Tampa Bay area

Q. Where and when do you guys meet?

A. We meet every other month (in those months when you don't get a newsletter), either for lunch or for dinner. We try to alternate both the time of the day and the location -- one month in Hillsborough County on the east side of Tampa Bay, and the next month in Pinellas County, on the west side of Tampa Bay. Usually, we meet at the work location of one of our members; it's always interesting to tour someone else's facility. Sometimes we have a guest speaker or a presentation by a vendor. Sometimes we have a roundtable or general discussion about a topic of professional interest. Typically, the member(s) of the hosting institution arrange for lunch or dinner. Usually, it's dutch treat, although sometimes a vendor or someone's employer will pick up the tab.

Q. Wow! This sounds great! How do I join?

Click HERE for the SIS Membership form, which you can print out and for mailing directions.

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