Does anyone besides me see a direct connection between the whole Judaica librarian professional self-image issue (which comes up about twice a year) and then convention cost issue (which arises every July)? I see the two as very closely intertwined.
If we're professionals, then let's act the part. Let's make the case that we should be compensated properly by our funding sources. Let's make the case that part of professionalism means participating in professional conferences and exchanging ideas with others in the field. If a school/synagogue takes you seriously enough to emply you as a professional librarian, then you need to make the case that they are getting increased value for their investment in you by supporting your AJL convention. And keep in mind that professional groups almost always stay in hotels, not on college campuses. It's part of the cost of being a professional. Let's not kid ourselves - if we want to have our professional organization achieve the level of work desired (e.g. full time convention planning), then the amount we pay in AJL dues is ridiculously small. How is anything supposed to get accomplished with $50/year/member? To me, the issue is NOT: - whether the hotel is cheap or expensive - whether we all share the cost of kosher food - what we pay to attend other conventions The issue is: - when will Judaica librarians start seeing themselves as professionals, AND - demand to be compensated and treated as professionals (see above), AND - be willing to pay the freight that professionalism costs. Otherwise we're a nice friendly club with a couple of hard working leaders that gets together from time to time and schmmozes. My opinions only. Ted 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
