Re: ALA Anon

[Jeff Kirkpatrick <jeffkirk@SNI.NET>]

... I hear people moan and groan about how librarians never get
>the support and respect we deserve.....and then they do nothing.

>... You should join AASL even if it does mean joining ALA. If you don't, you
>give up all "whining rights" about things political since you had a chance
>to do something and didn't... .


Folks:
        Please know this: by dint of your chosen profession you are my heroes.
        I would observe, rather than judge, that comments such as the above
go too far, however, for they condemn rather than help.
        Library professionals, be they members of associated professional
organizations or not, have more than earned the reasonable expectation of
our simple respect and support for their herculean efforts.  Too many are
being outright abused for daring to care, for daring to try, for daring to
believe, and for doing so much more than nothing.  These are good people,
many of them doing their absolute best just to (perhaps) keep their
programs afloat, under appalling circumstances of rapacious abuse which are
very often instigated and/or supported by those whose positions suggest
(were they to act even the least bit responsibly and professionally,
themselves) they should be championing their media specialists, rather than
holding them under.  They seemingly know no better (and could benefit from
our benevolent guidance in this) than to judge from without and to gloat
while their media professionals continue to struggle, simply, to offer
their best.
        These library professionals are in no way doing nothing.  Nor is it
the least bit appropriate, or helpful, to foolishly judge or blame them for
others' (and our) failures.
        Please consider: if doing "something" is defined as being helpful
and positive, I humbly invite those who choose to sit in judgment to
themselves, instead, do something.  Offer your help, rather than your
perhaps naive, often unfounded, and most certainly unhelpful criticism, to
these heroes who are your colleagues.
        Please.
        Doubtless ALA and AASL memberships are of some merit, but
professional concern and consideration, not to mention Reason, MUST come
first.
        I am not a library professional.  I do not pretend to be.  I
haven't the credential.  (I do not invite you to question or speculate as
to why.  It is a simple fact.  Please accept it.)  I am only a teacher--a
teacher who knows to revere library professionals; all library
professionals.  I know many of the challenges you face--dimensionally; and
I know my obligation to offer my simple gifts in order to champion each and
every one of you for the gifts you elect to share, despite the daunting
odds.
        For, what a small and arrogant fool I would be to fail to recognize
and to cherish these gifts for what they are.
        I am here, on the LM_NET, to help and to support those who are
likewise here to help, as Reason dictates.  In this I dare think I at least
do some small thing for the benefit and edification of all.  Would it serve
to judge me as not having "whining rights", or legitimate purpose?
        Simple Reason shows that judging and pointing fingers at others
will always and ever work in conflict with true collegiality--and genuinely
doing something.  (I fail at this a lot.  But I keep trying.)  With neither
judgment nor coercive intent, then, I invite those who would elect to judge
my heroes as anything aught to please reconsider.
        Take care.  As always, I wish you well.

Jeff Kirkpatrick

*****
        Those who try to sell themselves and others on the idea that we may
have education without professionally managed and maintained library media
programs compare with those who mow their weeds and call the results a
manicured lawn.
        Let THEM roll in it a while, before relegating the kids to it.
        Who knows--maybe thistle teach 'em?

Jeffrey E. Kirkpatrick
Profession:teacher/learner
Employment in transition (in Aurora, CO)
e-mail address: jeffkirk@sni.net