Comments on: ALA 2009: Cui Bono?

By: William

William — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:14:56 +0000

Didn’t Leslie Burger solve these problems already with her Emerging Leaders initiative?

I’m just sayin…

By: John

John — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:03:00 +0000

When I got out of library school in ’01, I was advised that it was important to be an ALA member in order to find a job — that I would essentially be excluded from hiring pools if I didn’t mention my membership. I don’t know if it was true or not, but that was the only reason I ever joined.

In my current job, I think that half of the librarians aren’t members, and none of them really care.

And as a married man, I shouldn’t seek out the sensuous pleasures of the annual conference. Besides, other than the alcohol and sex, what’s the point of going?

So I don’t plan on renewing my membership.

By: lifelonglib

lifelonglib — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:23:46 +0000

Yes, I went to Annual and yes, I really enjoyed it-it’s reinvigorating and validating and all of that. I do have issues with the lack of cohesiveness among the divisions (and the dismissive attitude-dare I say snobbery- some have toward others-are you reading this, all of you academics?). Also was disturbed at the person chosen to win the Robinson award given by PLA. Donna Nicely is someone who is consolidating school and public libraries-two institutions with similar basic philosophies but two totally different purposes and methods of patron service. I, as a former school librarian, would not feel qualified, without considerable further training to do the job of a public librarian. Does she really think a public librarian can do what a certified teacher librarian can?

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:01:27 +0000

I don’t know if your degree is anomalous, Techservingyou, because I had a program that was also two years. My program (probably like your’s) was what you made it; it was possible to skim by, doing little. Those who did didn’t find jobs. In my opinion the AL has gone downhill — not anywhere near what he/she/them/it were before moving to LJ — yeah, I went back to read some of the early blog posts. I think I started reading this blog because it was on LJ and I enjoy Maureen Dowd of the NYT, seeing some similarities in the AL perspective regarding the library world. No longer, and I’m wondering if I’ll bother to keep reading at all. Professionally, I got a lot out of the annual ALA conference that AL mocks, wondering if we we attended the same conference at all. I was happy that I was able to attend for the first time, and will take what I learned and the valuable connections made to benefit the people the people my library is trying to serve.

By: Techserving You

Techserving You — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:11:14 +0000

My MLIS was two full academic years (16 courses) but I know it is anomalous.

By: Mr. Kat

Mr. Kat — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:32:37 +0000

The undergraduate degree doesn’t have to be in LIS – but to get an MLS, you must have a four year degree. SO if you want to be a librarian, you need five years of college.

The thing is, a real masters course of study takes two years.

By: I Like Books

I Like Books — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:34:22 +0000

5 years of education? What I don’t get is people who take a library degree as an undergrad, and then an MLS as a grad. Those 12 extra classes don’t really build on the undergrad degree, and probably don’t teach them anything they didn’t already learn. If you need the MLS anyway in order to get in, I can’t see that there’s ever a reason to do library studies as an undergrad.

By: Libgrrrl

Libgrrrl — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:07:08 +0000

I live in Chicago and didn't go to ALA. Someone had to be at the desk while all the employees with seniority debated social issues. Nevermind the fact that we are understaffed to begin with. Sounds like it was a waste of money to me.

By: NR

NR — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:58:19 +0000

“Um, yeah, like the current lobbying has been effective in maintaining even level funding for libraries!”

Also, the rise of social networking is cutting into ALA’s usefulness there too. It’s increasingly easy for librarians to be visible to their patrons and their greater communities.

By: K8

K8 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:56:55 +0000

“Can anyone think of a ‘profession’ which pays less than librarian, while requiring a minimum of five years of college and at the same time find want ads which ask for an MLS or, failing that, equilivant experience? What has ALA done for you lately?”

I have always thought that (only) social workers have it even worse than librarians. But I don’t know about whether the “or equivalent” part applies with them.