Eli, I think that you're misinterpreting what I said about professionalism. I certainly didn't use the words 'glitzy' or 'fancy' to describe a convention.
Point 1: Conventions can bring several benefits to those who attend. First and foremost is the opportunity to learn, both from speakers in the formal sessions, and from informal colloquy with one's fellow librarians at meals and other events. A convention at the Trump Tower (as an atrocious example of glitz) can be utterly worthless professionally if the sessions are poor. A convention at Motel 6 can be enormously successful if education and learning take place. So let's put to rest phrases like "glitzy conventions". Point 2: I disagree with your suggestion that there is a black and white choice between (a) providing services to the public -versus- (b) attending conventions or meetings to better one's skills. I see them both as important. Grass that doesn't get fertilized eventually browns and dies. So it is with librarians - either the learn or they stagnate - particularly in this day and age. I would argue that improving one's skills has a direct effect on the librarian's ability to serve one's public. Not pursuing opportunities such as conventions is a disservice, not a benefit. If we need to educate our funding sources to this reality, then let's start there. 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
