I make a point to ask every librarian I meet if they belong to an association and if they feel the association helped with their career advancement. I have only met one librarian who enthusiastically supported them and she was a former officer in NJLA. Countless others have been ambivalent, apathetic or openly angry. The most common feedback I’ve received is “save your money.”

I feel the associations appeal to optimism of job seekers because many of us are desperate for work. They are like buying lottery tickets without the chance of big payday.

Hopeful Inner Voice: I spent over $20,000 on the degree, so what’s another $60 to the NJLA if I can put that on my resume? I know having that prestigious organization next to my name will certainly be the deciding factor for landing a job.

I contacted the ALA and NJLA to see if they could tell me why I should join if I don’t currently work in a library. I got a lot of responses with exclamation points and syrupy zeal “Our members are the best part!”, but not a lot substance. So far I’ve decided to save my money.

Although they benefit from unemployed librarians who join in the hopes of getting a job, I can’t help thinking the ALA would benefit more from fewer unemployed librarians. It’s supply and demand — the rarer a skill is, the higher salary an employer has to pay to attract skilled applicants. Bennies like paid memberships, conference reimbursement, etc. are more likely to be given in a tight job market. When people with a given skill set (be it library science or brain surgery) are more plentiful than the jobs available for them, employers can offer less in salaries, perks, and bennies. Producing too many graduates is a short-sighted strategy.