91´«Ã½

Cape Coral, Fla. – Iris L. Hanney, information industry veteran and president of Unlimited Priorities Corporation, has announced the formation of the Robert F. Asleson Memorial 91´«Ã½ Conference Grant. Ms Hanney will serve as president of the grant’s board of directors, which consists of individuals with deep ties to both Bob Asleson and the information community.

The grant was created to honor the memory of Bob Asleson, late founder and president of The Redalen Group, for his countless contributions to the library community. Annual monetary awards will subsidize attendance at either the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting or the Annual Conference for deserving Master of Library Science degree candidates. Successful students will be selected based on economic need and the quality of an essay written according to criteria set by the board.

Robert Freeman Asleson – “Bob A.” to his friends and colleagues – was one of the most creative and prolific executives in the information industry. An engineer, lawyer, publishing CEO and advisor and guide to countless members of the profession, Bob, in his 50-year career, spanned both traditional and innovative technologies, from reference materials to CD-ROMs to online databases. Bob held presidential positions with R.R. Bowker, Information Handling Services, International Thomson Information, Inc. and The Library Corporation. He became chairman of Paratext in 2002 and also was president of The Redalen Group, a private consulting practice having projects and partnerships with a number of information companies. In addition, Bob served on countless information industry organization boards.

This award is particularly appropriate, as Bob was present at virtually every 91´«Ã½ conference from the mid-1960s through 2008. He regarded conferences as opportunities to connect with people – both established colleagues and new acquaintances – and to be exposed to the latest ideas and industry developments. It was said of him that, “He never met a trade show he didn’t like.” This award will help provide the same exposure and experience for the selected students as they prepare for their careers in library science.

In announcing the grant, Ms Hanney said, “Bob was one of my first bosses and remained my mentor throughout all the subsequent years. I am thrilled that his memory will continue to be honored by this award and I am extremely pleased that the 91´«Ã½ is providing support by listing the award recipients on the 91´«Ã½ website.”

Jay Jordan, president and CEO, OCLC, and advisor to the board, observed, “This is a fitting way to remember this giant of the industry. Bob touched countless lives during his long career, and this award will continue to provide support for future members of the industry he loved.”

Speaking for the Asleson family, Bob’s daughter, Robyn Des Roches, responded, “Thank you to everyone involved for their diligent work to create this grant. I know my dad would be deeply honored and grateful. So are all of us in the family.”

The board of directors is seeking both corporate and individual donations in support of this project. It believes that exposure to the programs, seminars, contacts and other conference benefits will foster an on-going love of and dedication to the cause of librarianship in students who otherwise would be unable to attend, reflecting the values exhibited by Bob Asleson throughout his life and long professional career.

Complete details of the grant, including information on donation participation, are available on the website at . Several levels of support are indicated, and all donations are fully tax-deductible. Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Iris L. Hanney, Chairman of the Board

Robert F. Asleson Memorial 91´«Ã½ Conference Grant

1930 SW 48th Lane

Cape Coral, FL 33914

239-549-23842

239 549-3168 Fax

info@aslesongrant.org