LM_NET: Library Media Networking
My original post with a summary and actual responses:
POST: I searched the archives and found two related but I would like
more of a
concensus. With all of the associations out there which do you feel
you
must belong to and maybe even tell me why. My budget is dwindling and
my ALA membership renewal is in hand. I will post a hit and I really
would appreciate some professional advice on this.
----------------------------------------------------------------------->
SUMMARY: Thank you all for the responses. Of 21 responses, ALA= 9,>
AASL= 4, YALSA=1, NEA=2, STATE=10, REGIONAL= 4, IRA=1, PLA=1, LSC=1.
Not everyone addressed each of these but this is a tabulation of what
was mentioned for advocating membership. This really helps me see some
interesting points. I appreciate your opinions.
RESPONSES:
Our state association is an absolute must for me and the cost is pretty
low, especially compared to ALA. However, I continue to join ALA as
well and probably always will. I joined as a library school student
was
cheap
back in the '80s and attended my first Annual Conference in '87 and got
"hooked" and haven't missed many since then. I enjoy meeting
colleagues
from all over and the professional quality of the programs. I also
like
getting American Libraries and the other publications. And you do get
a
discount on things like posters, professional books, etc. I think it's
very
important to belong and be active in professional organizations and I
have
served on ALA committees which I believe enhances leadership skills.
Hope this helps.
I feel that AASL/ALA, your state school association and any regional
associations are necessary. AASL because of the advocacy, standards
and materials which they provide for school libraries. Also if you
choose
an institutional membership you receive Ophra Books free more than
covering the cost of membership.
Your state and regional membership for the interaction with other
school
library professionals and to offer support to these organizations for
the
work they do in promoting school libraries.
I would love to belong to ALA but my school and personal budget won't
allow it. I belong to the state library association. I have found the
conferences and contacts helpful and encouraging. I also belong to the
state teachers organization (not NEA) for the professional insurance
coverage provided and I feel that I am a teacher and need to support
that
group.
I always felt our national and state professional organizations were
something that we could NOT afford to put aside. My spouse pays
$1200.00
per year for his union membership (and BTW my base salary was very
comparable and considering benefits more than his -- thus dispelling
the
theory that "those construction workers can afford it." ;>) -- and all
of
my memberships ALA, NEA (state and local affiliates), IRA
(International
Reading Association) local and state affilitate did not approximate his
cost.
Just perhaps some of our relunctance to support our professional
organizations is part of the reason we are seeing so much discussion of
LMS
being told to make up classes missed on professional days, no subs
hired
for classes, no aides in library media center, and so forth.
I belong to ALA with a membership in AASL. I belong to my local and
state
teacher's associations (NOT NEA), the state library association and the
National Storytelling Association, because I'm a storyteller. It seems
like
a lot, but I believe I receive benefits from all.
I only belong to the New Jersey Educational Media Assn. and I enjoy the
services of this List-serve. My state assn. is pretty strong and runs
wonderful conferences and support. List serve helps me with the library
world out there...lets me know I'm not alone everyday!
I belong only to my state school library media specialists
organization. I
can't afford to belong to ALA and then pay extra in order to join the
subgroups that actually speak to my job.
I am a member of ALA (including AASL) and PSLA (Pennsylvania
School
Librarians Association), both of which I pay for personally. I retain
membership because they are professional support. Thank goodness, I
have
not needed to call on either for support in a challenge situation or
any
other crisis, major or minor, but there would be support there if I
needed
it. Second, I feel strongly that, as a professional, I should support
organizations of this sort. Third, I want these memberships on my
resume.
Fourth, their journals are useful.
If money were a prohibitive issue for me, I would still feel strongly
and
would use school district money if possible. However, I pay for them
myself
because I want the school district money to go as far as possible
toward
resources for students.
When money is tight, my preference is also for the state library
association first. My theory is that it is "closer to home" and will
address MY needs more effectively. My second choice are local
associations, but those are generally fairly inexpensive. ALA is nice,
but......whew!
This is a very interesting topic. I would also like to expand it to
include some thoughts about our major national organization (ALA), and
what difference a person with strong school librarian background might
make.
We again have a person with a school librarian background running for
president. Is there anything that we should expect to happen when such
a
person is our president that would not be expected to happen when a
public
or academic librarian is our president? Are our expectations different?
If
so, what are they? If not, then why not?
I am not sure I know the answer to this question, if there is an
answer,
but I will tell you that during his term as governor there were some
state
standards for public school libraries and librarians adopted; however,
I
am
not singing praises on this in view of the fact that there are no teeth
in
these standards. They are voluntary standards and many many schools in
Texas have not put them in place. Many, Many, schools in Texas still
use
librarians as prep time for teachers when the research is quite clear
that
librarians and teachers should collaborate and teach research, and
"library
skills" together. These standards are excellant and districts should be
required to implement them.
As a preface, I've been a member of ALA and AASL since I
graduated Library school and started work as a school librarian. I
didn't really pay much attention to who was ALA president until I
started working at Wilson, and I had School Library Journal as one
of the magazines that I indexed regularly.
This just a general impression. There's nothing that I can easily
point to as hard evidence. And finding it will take some time on a
fast internet connection. It seems to me that when a school
librarian is president of ALA, the organization looks at librarianship
as a whole that is made up of many parts. When someone with a
public library background is president, the organization seems to
regard it as the only major aspect of librarianship.
In many ways the school librarians recognized (at least the ones
here on LM_NET) that they are between a rock and a hard place.
Are they teachers? Is a good part of the job teaching? Yes. The
goal isn't answers to questions. The goal is let's learn how to find
answers to questions. Is the goal just having books for daily or
weekly reading? Or, is the goal learning how find the books needed
for daily or weekly reading? At the same time, do school librarians
function as librarians do in other areas? Do they have budgets to
draw up and spend? Do they provide books and materials to meet
the needs of their patrons? Are they consumed with opacs and
circulation. All... yes.
In the same way, Is ALA an organization with one aspect of
librarianship to promote, or should it promote librarianship as a
whole? I find that ALA looks at librarianship as a whole when a
school librarian is running the show. I can't point to one particular
thing or another, but I'll see what I can find.
The broadness of attitude of school librarians shows in another way
(IMHO). The wide range of the posting membership of LM_NET. I've
seen posts from library school professors, college librarians,
children's librarians, vendors, school district level librarians,
retired
school librarians, and library school students. And of course the
main group for this list. It is a stark contrast to the much smaller
range of librarians posting on the Public library list.
I am a member of ALA, and division member of AASL (school librarians)
ALSC =
(children's librarians ) Yalsa (Young Adult librarians) and PLA (Public
=
librarians)
Why national membership- ALA is where I get my batteries charged. I go
to =
as many book discussion groups as possible ALSC and Yalsa notable
books =
and best books are open to anyone to listen in. This is where a lot of
my =
book ordering comes from (even if a book does not make the final list,
it =
may be of interest to my collection. I get enthusiastic about titles,
read =
them, order then book talk them to my kids. Programs- story telling,
=
evaluating websites, public policy, advocacy training, heads-up on what
=
may be going on nationally that will effect my job and my library. =
Exhibits- Last year I bought a laminator, great deal, this year a
really
=
cool, not dangerous paper cutter. Books, Books Books, new books to hold
in =
my hand , new technology. Authors- right there, up close, signing books
=
that I love. =20
Librarians, Librarians, Librarians everywhere. I am not alone. I have
had
=
the greatest discussions just waiting in lines. Work on Committees.
This =
is where I really meet interesting dedicated librarians and have an =
opportunity to give service in return for all that I have receive.
Mail- Knowledge Quest and Journal of Youth Services keep me in touch
with =
what is current in the profession. I just like reading Public Libraries
as =
a former public librarian.
Local membership- Hudson Valley Library Association - this one is for =
independent school librarians- colleagues with similar libraries
sharing
successes, information and strategies.
New York Library Association- Like ALA but not so overwhelming.
--
DaShannon Lovin
Blanchester High School
Library Media Specialist
lovind@blanchester.k12.oh.us
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