This discussion has been going on, intermittently, since I first started attending AJL conventions in 1976. The format of conventions has evolved since then, and these changes reflect both higher attendance levels and an increased degree of professionalism.
(1) Convention dates. We have gone 'round and 'round on this one, and always end up in the same place for reasons that others have already pointed out. And based on our previous discussions on the topic, the mid- to late June slot is unlikely to change. And fact is, in a good year over one quarter of AJL's membership shows up at the convention and in a not-so-good year "only" one-fifth of our members make it - Father's Day or no. This is NOT BAD at all! I do think that it would be very bad form for the Association of Jewish LIBRARIES to deliberately schedule our convention for dates that conflict with the American LIBRARY Association's annual convention. There are certain common denominators that I feel a library association absolutely must observe: the option of attending ALA is one of them. (2) Convention venues. When an convention requires properly equipped meeting rooms for half a dozen concurrent sessions, committee meetings, exhibits, plenary sessions, and communal meals for 250 to 300 people, a hotel or convention center simply offers the best and most convenient option for attendees and organizers alike. The kashrut requirement clearly limits the number of suitable hotels. But this is a sine qua non for the Association of JEWISH Libraries. (3) Convention cities. It should be obvious that unless our entire membership relocates en masse to a single compact region, EVERY AJL convention will be "in a city that requires air travel" for a sizable percentage of attendees. If we are lucky, at least the convention will be held in a location that is served by airlines offering competitive fares. Zachary Baker Stanford University Libraries Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
