NANCY BURRIS AND THE TIMES-PICAYUNE NEWS RESEARCH TEAM

"Oceans of Trouble"

1997 Pulitizer Prize for Public Service
Awarded to the New Orleans, LA Times-Picayune

By Nancy Burris, News Library Director
Times-Picayune Publishing Company
New Orleans, LA

I'm sending you far more than you will need for the column, but when I attempt to answer your questions about our contributions to "Oceans of Trouble," I realize that I cannot confine my answer to what we did during the 13-months of researching and writing. Our approach to the project would have taken a decidedly different route had we not begun several years ago to train our newsroom in the skills needed for computer-assisted reporting.

I feel so proud to be able to say that "Oceans of Trouble" is the first prize-winning package of stories developed here where our involvement in hands-on research was limited. This was a project in which librarians played a different role. For "Oceans of Trouble" we acted as consultants, advisors, trainers, coaches, technical experts, database developers and troubleshooters. Our research skills were sometimes needed, but the reporters, editors, and graphic artists had computer-assisted reporting skills and the tools to collect and process most of the information themselves.

Several years ago, Assistant to the Editor, Lynn Cunningham and I discovered that we share common interests in teaching reporters and editors to be self-sufficient. With Lynn's leadership and the support of our editor and publisher, we designed a training program to encourage reporters to use Lexis/Nexis, the Internet, spreadsheets, databases, word processors and other library tools. We wanted reporters to use them in developing daily stories as well as large projects. We encouraged reporters and editors and graphic artists in our news, special sections and marketing departments to participate. The training changes constantly. Lynn and I are committed to have it fit the reporter, rather than the reverse. Whether the assignment is information-gathering, database development or number-crunching, librarians give reporters the tools and skills to do the job themselves. We coach and advise when asked. We troubleshoot problems. We respond to crises with whatever level of support is required. We encourage reporters to learn as they work so that the skills stay with them. Reporters who have had successful experiences are encouraged to share our teaching role.

Danny Gamble, Senior Librarian/Information Specialist is our primary trainer, consultant and advisor, technical expert and troubleshooter. His expertise, creativity, professionalism and coaching skills are key ingredients in our success. Danny is proactive, often recognizing what the newsroom will need before they see it themselves. Often allowing his own interest in computer-assisted reporting, database development and programming to lead him in directions that benefit us all.

"Oceans of Trouble" would not have developed in the way that it did if reporters Mark Schleifstein and John McQuaid, and graphics editors, Paul Fresty and Angela Hill were not already self-sufficient. The team had experience with Danny's role as coach and problem solver and trusted his judgment. Danny supported our commitment to give Mark and John the tools to do the job themselves, but was prepared to recognize and tackle those problems which needed hands-on support:

* Mark was comfortable with Internet and Lexis/Nexis searches and spreadsheets, but he needed to learn to structure FTP and Gopher searches more efficiently. Danny taught him to download data, install executable programs, process Adobe Acrobat and Postscript files and view documents and images. Mark depended on Danny to provide quick answers as problems arose.

* John had different needs because much of his work was done at our Washington bureau and he had less experience with computer-assisted reporting. With coaching from Danny, John learned to convert files and transport them across computer platforms. Danny taught John to use spreadsheets and deveop databases. He used VisualBasic and Word macros to design shortcuts which helped John work efficiently. John also relied on Danny to troubleshoot problems with his Excel spreadsheets and databases and explain the processes at work.

Senior Librarian/Information Specialist Theresa Guillen processed the research that John and Mark could not handle themselves. Her work included scouring university libraries for obscure books and government documents. On occasion, she researched Lexis/Nexis for information contained in databases not included in the reporter's access level.

Danny and I both participated in story development meetings. I made sure that Danny and Theresa were readily available to the members of the project team and provided the tools needed for the work. Some of these we had from the beginning, others we needed to acquire as the project evolved. I helped with some of the coaching and troubleshooting and consulted with Theresa on some of the research requests.

I've always been drawn to something Linda Rosen of Information Today said a few years ago -- that librarians have to act "like professionals with a mission instead of employees with a job." In the moments after Editor Jim Amoss thanked "our incredible library staff" for their work on "Oceans of Trouble" I realized the power of that statement profoundly.

The newsroom is an environment that demands creativity, vision and action. In a work context, it's where we live. I have never attempted to define our place here. I've learned that our relationships with reporters and editors will evolve and change as long as we engage the newsroom in our vision. As long as our vision includes their vision. As long as we understand that ours must often lead theirs. For me, Jim's comments and the response of the news staff to them says clearly that we are headed down the right road.


| JoMC Library | UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication | UNC Homepage |

This page was created by Barbara P. Semonche and Kathy Graham. It was last updated March 1997. If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact Barbara here.