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I’m a big proponent not only of professional association
membership, but of being active in your association of choice. I’ve never
worked anywhere that requires professional membership, but I have worked few
places that have supported it monetarily. Regardless, I see it as a basic tenet
of Being a Professional. I feel I’ve gotten just as much back, if not more,
than what I’ve put into my association work.
Here are some examples of what I’ve gotten out of my
membership in state and national associations over the last eight years:
- Networking: This is the most common thing you hear about being involved in library associations, and I’m living proof it can work. I’ve created deep relationships with other library employees, and I know where I can go for help on all sorts of topics. I’ve been headhunted or referred for multiple positions, including the one I have now. I also know people who I can refer to others for open positions, volunteer work, and more.
- Management Skills: I started in associations before I became a manager, but it’s where I learned so many of my management skills. I know how to run an efficient and effective meeting, organize people who are located all over North America, assign clear duties, and require follow up. Some of these things I do now in my day-to-day work, but really I learned them from my association colleagues.
- Concrete Accomplishments: I “did things” in associations, and sometimes they feel more tangible than my work accomplishments. I was part of a team that drafted (and helped pass) an entirely new state association structure. I created a sustainable continuing education webinar program which has been a consistent source of revenue. I’ve yet to have a chance to restructure an entire library system or start a service from scratch in my traditional library work.
Association membership isn’t a one-way street, though.
Professional associations also owe something to their member volunteers and
leaders. Members need to see value in what they do, and their talents shouldn’t
be wasted on busy work. There’s nothing worse to see than a failing committee
that doesn’t deliver for its members or its association.
If you want to get active in your association of choice,
find out what’s required to volunteer. This might be a web form, or it could be
a short email to a committee chair. Be explicit with your interest and skills.
With larger associations, you might not get your first choice of assignments,
but you could receive an appointment that is still quite valuable to you and
the association. You might also look at interest groups as an avenue to
participation. Many leaders start out as an interest group co-chair, and
continue due to its flexibility and smaller time commitment. Once you’ve
received an appointment, show up, volunteer for assignments, and follow
through. Just doing those simple things will put you at the front of the pack
of association leadership.
Sure, all of my experiences above are achievable without a
professional association. The internet and social networking have broken down
so many barriers, and library staff from far-away locations are collaborating
and colluding on projects, articles, and un-conferences as I write this.
Personally, I felt more comfortable starting from within the structure of an
association and making my contributions there.
Sometimes I feel like I’m at the end of the generation that
will interact with associations in the “traditional” way. There are many
barriers to participation in associations, including funding, access to
technology, and institutional support. Many of us are puzzling this through, and
there are no easy answers when so many new professionals can’t get a job in our
field and don’t have an income to support membership dues and conference
attendance. But I also hope I get to witness the renaissance of association
membership with new ideas for methods of engagement.
I know so many librarians who work behind the scenes to make
the Big Things happen in associations and at their home bases, and their
contribution matters. Until there are awards for “Best Revision of By-Laws,”
“Most Complete Interest Group Review,” or “Outstanding Meeting Agenda,” you
won’t see all of those names in print. But those who work side-by-side with
them know who they are, value their work beyond measure, and will always go the
extra mile to support them.
Keri Cascio is the Director of Innovative Technologies and
Library Resource Management at the Linda
Hall Library of Science, Engineering & Technology in Kansas City, MO.
Her claims to fame are purposeful meetings and the ability to run a darn good
webinar. She currently serves on the ALCTS
Board, and was a member of the inaugural ALA
Emerging Leaders cohort in 2007. You can find her on Twitter at @keribrary.
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