Principal at Bates Information Services
Greater Denver Area
- Current
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- Principal at Bates Information Services
- Volunteer at Association of Independent Information Professionals
- Volunteer at Special Libraries Association
- Past
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- library manager at MCI Communications Corp.
- Other professional positions at <various organizations>
- Education
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- University of California, Berkeley
- Connections
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369
connections
- Industry
- Information Services
- Websites
Mary Ellen Bates’s Summary
I have spent most of my professional life working in the information industry, which I'm passionate about. I started out in the late 1970s, designing a library database using key-punch cards and using 300-baud modems and thermal paper to search the Dialog databases. By the time I started my business in 1991, I had over a decade of experience in libraries and information centers, and decided that I needed to strike out on my own. I have watched the quantum shift that the web has brought to the information industry, and I have been active in helping the information profession to thrive in radically changing environments.
I find great pleasure in my workshops, industry presentations and one-on-one coaching. I have seen that look of "wow, I can do this!" when I have succeeded in helping someone learn new techniques or approaches to web-based researching. And I feel very grateful that I am able to coach both new and long-time independent info pros, and help them bring their businesses to new levels.
Mary Ellen Bates’s Specialties:
Online research
Professional development workshops for information professionals
Business coaching for independent info pros
Mary Ellen Bates’s Experience
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Principal
Bates Information Services
(Information Services industry)
April 1991 — Present (18 years 4 months)
Bates Information Services, Inc. is a nationally known firm, with a solid reputation for effective, no-nonsense research and consulting, as well as research training for research professionals, knowledge workers, and research departments. Mary Ellen Bates also offers business coaching for individuals who want to enter the field of information brokering and research services.
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Volunteer
Association of Independent Information Professionals
(Information Services industry)
January 1991 — Present (18 years 7 months)
member since 1991
Chair, Webinar Committee, 2008-present
Chair, Electronic Communications Committee, 2006-2008
President, 2004-2005
ad hoc committees on strategic planning, member development, 1999-2003
President, 1996-1997
Chair, Electronic Communications Committee, 1992-1994
AWARD:
Sue Rugge Award, 2000 (first recipient) -
Volunteer
Special Libraries Association
(Information Services industry)
January 1982 — Present (27 years 7 months)
Member since 1982
List manager, GLBT Issues Caucus, 2006-present
List manager, Information Technology Division, 2001-present
Convener, GLBT Issues Caucus, 1999-2001
Division Chair, Telecommunications Division, 1998-1999
International Relations Chair, Telecommunications Division, 1992-1994
Government Relations Chair, Telecommunications Division, 1990-1995
AWARDS:
SLA Professional Award, 2002
Member of the Year, Washington, DC Chapter, 1997
Member of the Year, Telecommunications Division, 1995 -
library manager
MCI Communications Corp.
(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Telecommunications industry)
1984 — 1991 (7 years)
Mary Ellen Bates was responsible for all aspects of providing research services to MCI employees around the world. She built the library from one that employed two people and served the strategic development group to a high-profile global information services center with a staff of eight. In this position, she learned how to market library services effectively on a shoestring budget, and adopted the unofficial motto of MCI during its start-up period: It's OK to make a mistake; just don't make the same mistake twice.
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Other professional positions
<various organizations>
(Information Services industry)
1978 — 1984 (6 years)
Mary Ellen's other work experience includes serving as assistant librarian at the Federal Judicial Center (an arm of the federal court system), online researcher for Federal Document Retrieval, online researcher for History Associates Inc., and information specialist for the law firm of Pillsbury, Madison and Sutro.
Mary Ellen Bates’s Education
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University of California, Berkeley
MLIS , Information Science , 1981 — 1982
Additional Information
Mary Ellen Bates’s Websites:
Mary Ellen Bates’s Interests:
information industry, web research, online research, business coaching, information entrepreneurship, information brokering, baking a mean biscotti
Mary Ellen Bates’s Groups:
AIIP (Association of Independent Information Professionals)
SLA (Special Libraries Association)
NWU (National Writers Union)
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Market Research Global Alliance (MRGA) -
Market Research -
Speakers and Panelists -
The Classic MCI Alumni Group -
SLA- Special Libraries Association -
Buslib-l -
Special Libraries Association -
Online Information & IMS Exhibition and Conference -
SLA Solo Librarians Division -
Association of Independent Information Professionals -
I-25ers - Info-entrepreneur group -
FUMSI -
Corporate Planning & Global Industry Segmentation -
Internet Librarian -
Division of Advertising & Marketing (DAM) -
WebSearch University -
BUSINESSWOMEN COACHING
Mary Ellen Bates’s Honors:
Professional Award, Special Libraries Association, 2002
President, Association of Independent Information Professionals, 1996-1997 and 2004-2005
Sue Rugge Memorial Award, Association of Independent Information Professionals,
Member of the Year of the Telecommunications Division, Special Libraries Association
Member of the Year of the Washington DC chapter, Special Libraries Association
Mary Ellen Bates’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- consulting offers
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
