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To renew, or not to renew?

19th June 2008, 09:02 pm

My contribution to the perennial “is ALA worth it” discussion: I just received email notification that my membership expires in August. (And is it just me, or did dues go up a heck of a lot?) I log in to find that you can add divisions or roundtables when renewing online, but can only drop them — or change your membership type — by phone:

To change your Type of ALA Membership (e.g., from Student to Regular Member), or to drop any Division or Round Table, please call Member and Customer Service at 800-545-2433 ext 5.

Although, the referring email claims that:

If you would like to change your member type, add or remove Divisions, Sections or Round Tables, or update your contact information, please use the online form.

What’s up with that?

I’m also noting that my last few issues of American Libraries have gone largely unread. (And is it just me, or is each issue skimpier than the last?) I might re-up for one more year, since I’ll likely actually be able to attend next year’s conference in Chicago, but…

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7 Comments

  1. Abigail:

    You mean I’m going to have to call them? Oh great. Here goes an hour of wasting time on the phone. Last time I phoned ALA Customer service it took them 5 months to get back with me.

    I usually skim through AL for the columnists I enjoy but most of it goes unread by me too. Just too glossy and too many ads. Would rather curl up with something more substantial.

    Now…why would they assume I automatically want to re-up to the exact same things? Sneaky…and wrong. What really frustrates me though is that even if I rejoin just “basic” ALA–that means I’m not on any committees because I then haven’t joined any subdivisions ($$$) roundtables ($$$) etc etc. So there’s not really opportunity for me to participate and if I do join a subdivision, it’s library type specific so there’s not really room for crossover learning.

    Feeling pigeonholed.

    20 June 2008, 8:10 am

  2. Abigail:

    P.S. Just “clicked through” renewal (did not yet pay). Allowed me to drop roundtable online without calling. So maybe that’s incorrect? Might do a test run before you actually do your sign-ups.

    20 June 2008, 8:52 am

  3. Joan:

    Well if you re-up for 25 years, it’s free thereafter. (from an “elderly” librarian)
    From my lifetime member perspective, I agree that it’s skimpy, just like my local newspaper.
    Recently I was amazed by the column that urged librarians to have two careers at once. Just be a library employee and an emergency responder too! Is this what is meant by being prepared for the workplace?

    22 June 2008, 7:47 am

  4. rachel:

    Joan: Hmm — so I only have to pay for 12 more years? :)

    And, personally, I like the multiple career paths approach, but I agree this isn’t for everyone!

    22 June 2008, 12:24 pm

  5. Joan:

    Yes, Rachel, 12 more years will go by in a flash.

    As for multiple careers simultaneously, I guess you have to do because you love it. I know two doctors who subsequently went to law school too, but I think they are planning to limit themselves to one actual job at a a time. Also did you see this link for a great story on a fellow who got 11 master’s degrees! http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i41/41a01501.htm

    24 June 2008, 11:28 am

  6. rachel:

    I don’t subscribe to the Chronicle, but just from the teaser: yikes. That’s a little too much school for me — I’ll just stick with the multiple careers thing :) .

    24 June 2008, 12:39 pm

  7. librarybob:

    I think I’m reading American Libraries now only on the off chance that a board member might ask about a particular article. My work pays for it, though, so I guess I should at least skim it.

    I’ve never been sure that it’s worth it. ALA is a “pushmi-pullyu” … neither “for the professional” nor “for the employer” … and thus American Libraries has an editorial stance bordering on warm pablum.

    24 June 2008, 6:00 pm

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