tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post6265857418230631883..comments2023-12-25T03:14:35.667-06:00Comments on Tiny Tips for Library Fun: Will We Stand Together?Marge Loch-Woutershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299355611398291374noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-31271288373473195342012-02-24T16:13:10.660-06:002012-02-24T16:13:10.660-06:00It's expensive to join and keep up memebership...It's expensive to join and keep up memebership, especially when there are many divisions I'm involved in (YALSA, ALSC, PLA) but I find it to be so worth it! I get so much out of ALA-and not just by attending the conferences. I use the website all the time and use the ALSC blog and YALSA listserv and blogs as well as the division journals. The networking and ideas and support I get from ALA is worth the cost of membership.GreenBeanTeenQueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08708155058381407531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-51484763648936019502012-02-24T11:21:44.101-06:002012-02-24T11:21:44.101-06:00Yep, it IS expensive and I don't argue that. I...Yep, it IS expensive and I don't argue that. It's easy to think we don't get anything out of ALA except from the interest divisions that we belong to. The divisions and sections are smaller, nimbler and able to respond to exactly what members need. However, big ALA (as we like to refer to it) plans and supports the conferences, supports the Washington office and all association-wide committees like Intellectual Freedom and Legislation (of which the division versions are but pale imitations ;->) that push our library agendas forward and speak forcefully for us.<br /><br />ALA is looking at a tiered system but who knows? I still know that we are stronger with our professional associations than without and I am willing to join to make sure we have a strong voice for libraries.Marge Loch-Woutershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09299355611398291374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-57704672897507426612012-02-24T11:09:54.487-06:002012-02-24T11:09:54.487-06:00So in fairness, membership in these organizations ...So in fairness, membership in these organizations is insanely expensive. In order to join ALA and the various sections I'm interested in, I'd have to pay $310 a year. Luckily I am both a full-time librarian and a full-time student, so I get the discounted rate. Once I'm no longer eligible for the student rate, I just won't be able to afford it. (This is especially frustrating when I get much more out of the sections than I do from ALA - I don't see much point in being an ALA member without also having access to - for example - YALSA.)<br /><br />At least my state association offers tiered rates depending on your salary. It seems unfair that I pay the same rate as a director who makes six figures when I make like $14 an hour - especially because that director is way more likely to have support to attend conferences, etc., and therefore get more out of their membership. ALA should offer tiered membership rates, or at least increase the salary limit for "non-salaried" membership.Amandanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-86032834847633136052012-02-23T08:31:15.853-06:002012-02-23T08:31:15.853-06:00I am hearing more people decline to join professio...I am hearing more people decline to join professional organizations when their institution won't support it and I have real worry sometimes. I'm on the board of our state association now and we are seeing the same thing. People have to think outside themselves towards the greater good - a '60s-'70s concept I'm beginning to fear - and I am hoping we can.Marge Loch-Woutershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09299355611398291374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-67171462741579913342012-02-23T08:21:59.680-06:002012-02-23T08:21:59.680-06:00Marge, I completely agree with you! And you pointe...Marge, I completely agree with you! And you pointed out something I hadn't even thought about: if YALSA goes under because they don't have enough membership to support the organization, access to book lists and resources immediately goes to ZERO because there won't be any! YALSA may not be in grave danger this very moment, but if membership keeps going down, that could be a reality at some point.Abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.com