Info Career Trends July 2, 2001 vol. 2, no. 4 ISSN 1532-0839 Published by Lisjobs.com - http://www.lisjobs.com E-mail: editor@lisjobs.com Despite all the talk on various discussion lists and panels about librarians' tendencies to be introverts, we still also tend to be joiners -- when the organization is right! We're stronger together than we are alone, and today's articles show how association membership lets us grow, both professionally and personally. Find out how others have made those all-important connections that have helped them advance their library careers. In another example of making connections, ICT congratulates author Spring Lea Boehler, whose article from the March 2001 issue will be reprinted in Emporia's next SLIM catalog. (To reprint an article, contact the author directly; ICT would appreciate being notified if your publication reprints material that has previously appeared here.) If you'd like to join Spring Lea and the other wonderful ICT contributors who have made this a useful, practical, and successful newsletter for information professionals, please see the upcoming themes and contributor guidelines at http://www.lisjobs.com/newsletter/theme.htm . Share your experiences with and information on speaking, training, and presenting in September's issue. E-mail queries to editor@lisjobs.com. I'd also love to hear any comments you have on the newsletter as well as suggestions for improvement or for future themes. - Rachel (editor@lisjobs.com) -------- Getting Involved: NMRT by Priscilla Shontz (pshontz@yahoo.com) "Getting involved with one of the professional organizations is probably the most significant contribution you can make to your own career." -- Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths, Your Successful LIS Career: Planning Your Career, CVs, Interviews and Self-Promotion. The above advice has certainly held true for me. Through my involvement in several professional associations, I have made friends, have made contacts who have helped me in my job searches and other projects, have developed skills and interests that have surprised me and have helped me further my career, and have gained a wider perspective on librarians and librarianship. Through professional involvement, you can learn skills that you might not learn on the job -- for instance, project management, public speaking, budgeting, running meetings, planning programs or events, and writing. Professional involvement looks good on your resume, and helps you make contacts that can help you get a job or an interesting assignment. If you already are convinced that professional involvement can help you, however, you may wonder how to begin getting involved. Investigate Your Options First, investigate and join associations (and sub-units) that interest you. Look at association web sites, and ask colleagues, mentors and friends which groups they find useful. Keep in mind that what works for you may be different than what someone else finds useful, and that your involvement in various organizations will probably change as your job duties and interests evolve. By joining an association, you will begin receiving its journal or newsletter and can begin finding out what the association does, and who's who in that particular organization. Experiment and find out what works for you. Get Involved After joining, consider volunteering for committees. You may have already heard that it is hard to break into certain organizations, such as the American Library Association (ALA). I would strongly encourage anyone who is new to ALA to consider joining ALA's New Members Round Table (NMRT). My involvement with ALA NMRT has been one of the most helpful and enjoyable experiences of my career. I first joined ALA and NMRT as a student, but at the time had no idea that I could be involved in committees. So, I paid my dues and attended some conferences, but eventually ended up dropping my membership for a couple of years. Luckily, on my second job (a tenure-track position requiring professional involvement), co- workers told me how they'd enjoyed their NMRT involvement and how it had helped them get involved in other ALA units. A unique feature of ALA NMRT is that every volunteer is guaranteed a committee appointment, as providing leadership development opportunities is one of the key missions of NMRT. I attended an NMRT Orientation at an ALA Conference, volunteered and was immediately appointed to a committee. I found out that I loved it! I have met so many great people and have gained some valuable experience through NMRT. I wish I had known about committee involvement when I was a student; it would have put me ahead of other new graduates by helping me make contacts and giving me a better feel for both the association and the profession as a whole. Even if you can't attend conferences, you can still be involved in NMRT; they have several committees that don't require conference attendance. If you can come to a conference, though, do! It's a great experience, especially when you're involved in NMRT, because you can meet the people you've corresponded with during the year. NMRT is a very welcoming group, because members are all new to ALA. They're a pretty diverse group, too, because they include people in various types of information careers, from various backgrounds, and from multiple types of libraries and organizations. By becoming involved in NMRT, you can start to meet people in other units of ALA and learn where else you might want to become involved. Branch Out I'd encourage you to apply for involvement in any group that interests you. Some groups receive more volunteer applications than others, so the ease of being appointed for committee work will vary. In some associations, you may need to reapply several times. Gain some committee experience in a group such as ALA NMRT or your state association, and list that experience on your volunteer form. Sometimes you will make contacts in one group that will lead to invitations to join other committees or projects. My ALA NMRT involvement led me into activities I never anticipated in 1995 when I filled out that first volunteer form. I became quite active in NMRT, and eventually served as President. Through my NMRT involvement, I met a wide variety of people and was able to move on to participate in other ALA units. I also enjoy being active in other organizations such as the North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG). Through my professional involvement, particularly through my contact with other new librarians and students in NMRT, I developed an interest in career management issues. This led me to begin writing articles on the subject, and I have recently written a book called Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science (to be published by Scarecrow Press in fall 2001). (Ed: You may purchase this title from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0810840847/librarisjobsearc/ ) My NMRT involvement has also helped me in my last two job searches. In both cases, I knew someone through NMRT who worked for institutions at which I'd applied. I was able to ask them about the organization and they were able to speak favorably about me to the search committee. I have also been able to list my professional activities on my resume and use some contacts as references. My diverse contacts have enabled and encouraged me to diversify my own career path, moving from academic to medical/special to public librarianship. I've developed skills I'd never thought possible, and I've made friends I will value forever. References ALA NMRT: http://www.ala.org/nmrt/ Priscilla Shontz: http://www.geocities.com/pshontz/resume.htm Priscilla Shontz is the brand-new Branch Librarian at the Aldine Branch Library of the Harris County Public Library System in Houston, Texas. Previously, she worked as the Librarian at Driscoll Children's Hospital Medical Library in Corpus Christi, Texas. She has also worked as Head of Access Services at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and as the Librarian at Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Priscilla served as President of the ALA New Members Round Table in 1999-2000 and currently co-chairs the NASIG Continuing Education Committee. -------- *** Interested in developing your library career? Spend too much time online? Combine the two with Sarah Nesbeitt and Rachel Singer Gordon's Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online (forthcoming from Information Today, Inc.). Find more information and sign up to be notified upon publication at http://www.lisjobs.com/careerdev/ -------- Sharing the Benefits of Membership by Julia Nims (jnims@online.emich.edu) Over the past seven years, I have belonged to the state library association wherever I have lived. I am the current chair of the Michigan Library Association's (MLA) Membership Committee, and am involved in a number of task forces and special ad hoc committees. However, I failed to fully realize how helpful membership has been to me until I started to discuss the benefits of state association membership with others. In early 2001, the Michigan Library Association (MLA) Membership Committee acted on an initiative to increase the association's visibility and membership among library science students in the state. There are two library schools in Michigan -- the University of Michigan's School of Information and Wayne State University's Library Science Program. Many graduates stay in Michigan and become our colleagues. We believed that this group deserved special attention from us: * We wanted to make certain that Michigan library students knew about the Michigan Library Association and were eager to join it. * Even if the students found jobs outside the state of Michigan after they graduated, we hoped that they would seek out membership in the state library organization wherever they worked. * We thought that they would be eager to immerse themselves in all areas of their chosen profession, and would welcome the opportunity to learn about the benefits of joining MLA and other professional associations. * The Michigan Library Association and the American Library Association have a special joint membership program for library school students in the state. Students may join both associations for the (very) reduced rate of $25/year. If these students got in the habit of association involvement at the lower rate and experienced its benefits for themselves, they might get into the habit of renewing their memberships with both MLA and ALA. Some of us formed a panel to visit Michigan library students on site. We wanted to make a good impression on our audiences, and certainly didn't want to turn them off to what we hoped would be a lively discussion. While the primary roles of MLA are to represent library interests to the Michigan Legislature and to promote the interests of Michigan residents by protecting libraries, promoting intellectual freedom, and offering continuing education opportunities to librarians and library staff, we chose to spend most of our time discussing the personal, more tangible benefits of membership in MLA. Networking The greatest benefit of belonging to a professional organization is the opportunity to network with colleagues. By attending meetings and workshops, serving on committees and task forces, reading and contributing to newsletters and publications, you get to meet with your fellow librarians and staff members. The relationships you form with other association members may lead you to career leads and professional development opportunities, to a mentor relationship or leadership roles in the association itself. Panelists also point out that the world of Michigan libraries is actually quite small. Many of us know each other through association activities or other facets of our work. By participating in the primary professional association for librarians and library staff in the state, members have a way to "get in the loop" of Michigan libraries. Workshops and Conferences Recent graduates of library programs generally have excellent tech skills. They can build web pages, write computer scripts, and maneuver through almost any software package. They are at the top of the technology game, and they and their new co-workers know it. The situation can change quickly, however. Within a few years, there will be a new crop of graduates who are equally comfortable with even newer technologies. It is only too easy to find yourself lagging behind in new technologies and their applications in libraries. Furthermore, new librarians are expected to gain new skills as they take on more responsibilities -- most jobs in libraries demand an array of both technical and people skills. We also have to keep up with the constantly growing number of databases, as well as with traditional library information sources. To remain in top form, all librarians, including recent graduates, need to attend conferences, workshops, and presentations to learn about new ideas, gain new skills, and remain current on library technologies and issues. Professional library associations, particularly those at the state and regional level, provide wonderful opportunities for professional development. Because these opportunities are reasonably priced, and often relatively close, associations are one of the first places to check for workshops and presentations on the topics that matter most to your professional success. Service Opportunities Library associations would not exist without volunteers. This is particularly true at the state level. Volunteers are needed to develop policies, decide on workshop topics, represent interests of special groups, and do other work that keeps the association relevant and important in the day-to-day lives of librarians. There are ample opportunities to become involved in state library associations on committees, roundtables, taskforces, and other units. Not only does serving on committees demonstrate your interest in and commitment to your chosen profession (and might be part of your job description), but it also provides opportunities to work on real work issues. For all that you read in books and study in library school, it is not the same as working to solve an issue that impacts your library, position, or profession. Input Individuals can make a difference in state library associations. Michigan Library Association is not so large that one person cannot have a significant impact on the association and how it operates. Ideas for workshops, participation in governance and other forms of input are welcomed and encouraged at the state association level. If you want meaningful involvement in a professional association, you'll find opportunities at the state association level. Serving on the panel and discussing the advantages and benefits of membership with my future colleagues have helped me realize how fortunate I am to be a member of the Michigan Library Association. I have colleagues I like, admire and respect, and I have found a forum where my opinions and service are valued and appreciated. MLA has been and will continue to be a source of significant personal and professional growth and support for me. Julia K. Nims is the Welcome Center/Public Relations Librarian at Eastern Michigan University's Bruce T. Halle Library (http://www.emich.edu/halle/) and Chair of the Michigan Library Association's Membership Committee (http://www.mla.lib.mi.us). She can be reached at jnims@online.emich.edu or at 734/487-0020, ext. 2139. -------- *** Job postings on Lisjobs.com are searchable by state! Try http://www.lisjobs.com/jobs.htm#search -------- Service and Specialization by Elisabeth Filar (Elisabeth.Filar@Colorado.edu) Librarianship has traditionally been a service profession -- but what, exactly, does service entail? For a librarian, service includes helping patrons find materials by providing access to these materials, promoting the collection, and teaching classes. Yet service is more than in-house daily library activities. Service also involves librarians expanding their horizons, by growing, learning, and continually educating themselves and others about their field. Most librarians are in some way specialized, whether they are middle school library media specialists, academic map librarians, or anything in between. We need to constantly educate and be educated in our specialty areas. What better way to do this then through involvement in associations and organizations? Library associations and organizations range from local to international, including many in specialized areas. Involvement in these organizations is beneficial, but there are also associations and organizations outside the field of librarianship that librarians should join. We need to look in our specialty areas for non-library organizations that benefit our library and ourselves. Joining such organizations also provides us with the opportunity to educate others outside our field about the libraries' abundant resources and services. Through our participation, we will expand our knowledge base, network with others in our specialty field, and reap other benefits such as getting donations of resource materials or funding. Mapping it Out As the Map Librarian at the University of Colorado, Boulder, I am involved in several organizations and associations which focus on both library and non-library specialty fields. The importance of my involvement can better be understood with some background in what a map library contains. A map library collection consists of government- and commercially- produced paper maps, atlases, reference materials, microfilm, and digital spatial data. Much of the digital data is for use in a GIS, Geographic Information System. A GIS is a computerized mapping system which can capture, store, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographic and spatial information. Data can be in the form of themes such as population, zoning, topology, or aerial photos and can range in scale. Data produced for use in a GIS is created by local, state, federal, international, and commercial agencies; some is distributed freely, but most is for sale. Most libraries do not have funds to buy these resources, given that might take several hundred CDs of data to cover just one state at an adequate scale. If data is not detailed enough, users probably will not be able to make use of it. Librarians must find alternative ways to obtain these resources. They must also inform the GIS professionals about the funding issues facing libraries and how such issues affect the public. GIS Success I have become deeply involved with a resurgent Colorado organization called GISCO (GIS in Colorado). In fall 2000, I attended the first meeting aimed at recreating this GISCO organization into a strong statewide GIS organization. I quickly realized that most of the other attendees were the government workers in the field who actually created the data I wanted to acquire. What better way to possibly get access to this data then through my involvement in the organization? I volunteered to start up a web site ( http://www.landuse.com/gisco/ ) and e-mail discussion list for the group, in order to promote the organization and communicate ideas quickly and efficiently. As I became known as the webmaster for GISCO and manager of the GISCO list, people in the group would recognize me, call on me, and possibly provide me with useful information (and, especially, resources). I could then educate them as to the needs of the library-using public. Others in the GIS field would hopefully realize the importance of librarians' skills -- in organizing information, from the web site, and managerial skills, through the e-mail list. Benefits of Belonging Over the past few months, I have been attending board meetings, maintaining the web site I created, managing the e-mail list, and networking with people around the state. I have been involved in discussions concerning issues related to the GIS and map field that have both helped to educate me professionally and helped my map library. I have heard about new issues, new resources, and now have direct connections to those people managing, creating, and maintaining the resources I am hoping to acquire. If nothing else, I have an "in" and have networked with others. I have also expanded my knowledge base, and have gained insight into the complexities that everyone faces, whether they are the creator or acquirer of the resources. I have also taught others how important it is to have these resources available to the public. I have explained that there is a lack of library funding to purchase such materials, and have promoted the importance of librarians as information professionals in specialized fields. As the year continues, I hope to make even more progress and more connections. I wish to acquire data or at least to gain the knowledge of how cost-effectively to acquire such data for my library. Other members on the GISCO board have even mentioned setting up a repository for statewide data, looking to me as the manager of such data. The benefits of becoming involved in this non- library, specialized organization far outweigh the time spent, and I encourage other information and library professionals to do the same. Look outside the library field to gain open minded, open-ended opportunities by participating in such organizations. Elisabeth Filar has an undergraduate degree in Geography/GIS from Johns Hopkins University and an MLS from the University of Maryland. She has been the Map/GIS Librarian at the University of Colorado, Boulder for almost two years and is involved in many organizations and associations, locally and internationally. Check out her Map Library web site at http://www-libraries.colorado.edu/ps/map/frontpage.htm -------- *** Advertise your library-related product or service in this newsletter or on the Lisjobs.com web site to reach thousands of committed information professionals. Rate card available at http://www.lisjobs.com/ratecard.htm -------- Surviving ALA by Alison Hopkins (AHopkins@QueensLibrary.org) Conference exhaustion sets in sometime on Day Two. I've been up by 6:00 am on both days, rushing to shower, eat, and find a shuttle bus in time to reach early morning meetings. On Day One, the second meeting involved another cross-town shuttle bus. No time for lunch; I munched on hotel mints and drank glasses of water to get me through the day. After the meeting, I would rush through a few aisles of the exhibits, and then off to a working dinner. Day Two seemed like a repeat of Day One, as meetings, exhibits, and programs melted into one conference blur. That's how I used to do conferences, trying to be super-conference woman, able to make three programs, five meetings, two social events and a thorough viewing of the exhibits -- fueled by just one sit- down meal each day. I have known (and admired) people who can do this successfully, but I am not one of them. This realization and the change in how I "do" conferences reflects how professional involvement has helped me prioritize, plan and balance my life and work. Getting Going I feel I learned the hard way how to be effectively involved in professional associations. My experiences have been filled with frustration and challenges. I began with great zeal and energy, doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons, exhausting myself through too much involvement and too many committees, and completely burning out at some conferences. But, I also learned a lot through my involvement. If I hadn't jumped in at warp speed and participated, I would never have learned as much about myself, my capabilities, and what I want to get out of professional associations. I began by volunteering in two ALA round tables: the New Members Round Table (NMRT) and the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT). I loved the philosophy and the people I met at meetings of both. Soon, I was Chair of NMRT's Booth Committee, repping SRRT at an Education committee and determined to be involved in the Women's Issues committee. My first conference as a committee member was chaotic. I missed both the Women's Issues meeting and the Education committee -- they met at the same time, so I planned to attend the Education committee. Unfortunately, I did not read the updated calendar, and did not notice that the meeting had been rescheduled until I had waited in the room for thirty minutes. I quickly volunteered for anything I could see, with the result that I found the conference exhausting, yet exciting. The Booth Committee chugged along and performed well, mostly due to a great committee and supportive NMRT executive. I was then asked to join an SRRT book awards committee for books by and dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. This was a huge commitment in itself. I also, however, continued involvement with NMRT, chairing a committee which arranged a meeting at ALA Annual conference. Since both Round Tables had several meetings at each conference, some always conflicted. I took turns going to one committee or the other, depending on my level of commitment. (If I was chair of a committee, I went to that meeting!) This continued for a few years, with some interruptions due to health problems. I ended up running to be on the NMRT Executive Board. I lost, but then was appointed for a year as the Outreach Director. Going Gets Good The above shows how easy it is to become over committed; yet I was able to contribute something to each committee I was involved in. Involvement in two Round Tables with conflicting schedules was not the best idea, and meant that I was not able to participate fully in either. But, I enjoyed both, and at the time would not have been able to choose between them. Committee involvement can be very confusing. Under the best of conditions, the committees I was involved in met only twice a year (with some e-mailing the rest of the time). It is extremely difficult to get anything done in such a limited time. The most productive committees have very specific directives and experienced leadership, but, committees with less specific mandates and less experienced leadership may offer greater opportunity for creativity and exploration. Balancing Act Through my experiences, I learned how to find balance and to survive. At conferences, I learned how to balance my need for alone time with the responsibilities of committee work. Instead of running my way through a conference, I go through what I want to accomplish, and am able to prioritize and create a realistic schedule for myself. I have more confidence in my ability to choose and take responsibility for my choices. These kinds of changes have also helped me at work, where I now manage my workload with more thought. I would recommend getting involved in professional associations to anyone. There is a lot to learn, and so many interesting people to meet. I love hearing what other libraries are up to and seeing all the latest products. I could suggest that, prior to volunteering, you carefully examine personal and professional goals and interests, your current workload and future plans. Weigh this information carefully when picking the perfect committee to participate in. Honestly, though, if I had done that, I would never have learned as much as I have. I do suggest jumping in with enthusiasm and energy, volunteering in a group or groups that interest and excite you. Try what is offered and be willing to fall on your face. Experience a variety of committees, even some with bad leadership, and confusing directives. Contribute what you can, and expect to make some mistakes. You will meet some great people, and have the opportunity to learn in many different areas. Alison Hopkins graduated from Dalhousie University and has been working for the Queens Borough Public Library for the past seven years. She is currently working in branch administration and has been involved in professional associations for five years. -------- *** Purchase books by your editor at the new Lisjobs.com online bookstore. http://www.lisjobs.com/books.htm -------- Why should I continue to pay my dues and remain a member of the ALA? by Maurice J. ("Mitch") Freedman (freedman@wls.lib.ny.us) You should continue to pay your dues and remain a member of the ALA because you can accomplish much more in a number of areas through a national association of 60,000 members than working on your own. ALA lobbies Congress for legislation favorable to libraries and library users. It can provide fine backup to librarians and libraries who need help in any of a variety of ways: such intellectual freedom issues as fighting censorship mandates (e.g. the Children's Internet Protection Act), UCITA and its threat to fair use; providing assistance with building programs, plus volumes of information from each of the operating divisions and the other ALA units and offices. It provides wonderful opportunities, through its national meetings, to meet with colleagues doing similar work from all over the country. Personally, I benefited from the professional meetings far more than from the professional literature -- I could speak directly with or hear at meetings those people who were doing things I was interested in, months, if not years, before any of it reached publication, if it was published at all. What I value most about my membership in ALA is what I learned from the people I met and the programs I attended at the ALA conferences over the course of my career. I also know that there are reasons people aren't members. They're frustrated with the slowness with which ALA can act -- if it acts at all -- on given member concerns, or they're angry because ALA acted on matters that they felt were wholly inappropriate for a library association in the U.S. All I can say is that you can stand on the sidelines or get into the fray. In significant part that's what my career has been about. The ALA has afforded me the opportunity to express my views and work for what I thought would be of greatest benefit to my colleagues, the library community, and all of the people who should be served by libraries (not just the ones who are currently served.) Like many, I've been frustrated, but I also know I never would have accomplished the many things I did on the various jobs I held, nor met the many wonderful friends I've enjoyed over my professional lifetime, had I not been a member of ALA. ALA president-elect Mitch Freedman is director of the Westchester Library System, and has worked at LC, the Hennepin County Library, & NYPL & taught at Columbia U's library school. He is a staunch defender of intellectual freedom and a committed socially responsible librarian, has been a consultant on technology & tech services on four continents, and, along with his wife, Paula S. Freedman, publishes The U*N*A*B*A*S*H*E*D Librarian, the "how I run my library good" letter. This article originally appeared as part of an ALA presidential candidate interview on LISNews ( http://www.lisnews.com ). -------- *** Just subscribe recently? Remember, back issues of the newsletter are available online at http://www.lisjobs.com/newsletter/archives.htm -------- From Timid New Committee Member to Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect by Trudi E. Jacobson (tj662@csc.albany.edu) Back in 1989, I was looking for ways to stretch myself professionally. I'd been in my job about eight years, and while I wasn't looking for such a radical change as a new position, I did want something different to do. I was employed as the Reference Coordinator at a small liberal arts college. A key part of that position was coordinating the scheduling of and teaching many library instruction sessions. I enjoyed this part of my position immensely, and already was a (non-active) member of the Association of College & Research Libraries' Bibliographic Instruction Section (now called the Instruction Section). A call for volunteers in the section newsletter caught my eye -- maybe this would provide the challenge I was looking for? I filled out the form and mailed it in (no web forms back then!), with mixed feelings. Yes, this could provide the stimulation I was seeking. But I didn't know anyone in the section. Did I really want to attend two national conferences a year, when before I'd made it to maybe one every three to four years? And did I really have anything useful to contribute? I soon found I'd been appointed to the Education for Bibliographic Instruction Committee. Attending the first meeting was pretty nerve- wracking. I really didn't know anyone, and worried about being an outsider. I needn't have bothered. Committees are used to getting new members each year, as terms often only last a year or two. I've found they welcome new faces, particularly if you are willing to work. I was appointed this first year as the committee intern, which meant that I took minutes at the meetings and then distributed the approved copies to members. This was an excellent way to fit in immediately, and to get to know more about the working of the organization. I spent four years on this committee, and was involved in a number of useful projects. During this time, I got to know quite a few people in people in the Instruction Section, not only from committee meetings, but also from occasionally attending Advisory Council meetings (attended by all section chairs, but anyone is invited to observe) and section programs. Finding More Challenges: Moving Beyond Committee Membership My work must have been noticed, since I was asked to run for Secretary of the section. Having won, I was thrown into the thick of the workings of the section and its relationship to ACRL. This was eye-opening, as well as very demanding. The section recognizes this, and the role of secretary is only a one-year term. From there, however, I was then asked to chair a number of committees. I was invited to run for vice-chair/chair-elect of the Instruction Section. This was commitment of a totally different order, but I did eventually decide to run. I lost the election, but didn't lose my interest in the section. Several years later, I was asked to run for this position again, and this time I was successful. The term begins this summer, and I am certain it will be extremely engrossing, and also extremely demanding. I am not sure I completely understood what I was getting myself into back in 1989, but looking back, I wouldn't have changed what I did for the world. I've been stretched much more than I expected at the time, and I've also had a chance to meet and work with some fabulous people. This benefit has been invaluable-in terms of both professional networking and developing close friendships. Is This for You? Here are some points to consider when thinking about becoming a participating member of a national organization, based on my own experiences. * Determine the level of involvement. You will want to get a sense of the demands made by committees you are considering. All the Instruction Section committees ask that members play active, involved roles, which includes work between as well as at conferences. In contrast, I was a two-year member of another national committee that didn't demand much of anything, other than that I turn up to a crowded meeting twice a year. If you have the desire to be a dedicated committee member who really would like to make a mark, this second type of committee will frustrate you. If you don't have the desire to work hard, but get on an active committee, you will frustrate the committee chair! * Determine committee expectations. So, how do you know what a committee expects? Try to attend a committee meeting as an observer, if this is allowed (it often is). Contact the chair and ask direct questions about what the committee has done recently, and what its future plans are. Check the committee web site, if available. * Be flexible. When submitting a volunteer form, you may need to specify more than one committee you would be interested in joining. You may not be appointed to your first choice. However, you may find the committee you are assigned to quite interesting. And once you've built up a track record as a contributing member, it will probably be easier to get on the committee you initially wanted the next time around. * Look for opportunities. I found that being an intern on my first national committee provided all sorts of benefits. See if there might be some special role if you are brand new to active participation in the organization. * See if you can attend meetings. If you become involved with a national association, you not only have to travel to meetings, but also to finance the trip expenses, (unless your employer picks up the costs). Consider whether you really want and will be able to do this for the full length of your term. I have found my experiences in moving from section committee member to section chair to be exciting, challenging, and not to be missed. If you are interested in active involvement at the national level, I hope you will too! Trudi E. Jacobson actually did end up getting a new job a year after first becoming a committee member, so maybe she was looking for more challenges than she realized. Since 1990, she has been the Coordinator of User Education Programs at the University at Albany Libraries. -------- *** Write for Info Career Trends! See contributor guidelines and upcoming themes at http://www.lisjobs.com/newsletter/theme.htm#contrib -------- Enlightened Self Interest: Or, Ask What Your Association Can Do For You by Margaret Law (margaret.law@ualberta.ca) There are many library associations that would like to have you as a member, and there are as many reasons to join as not to join. One of the questions that potential members ask is: what benefits will they receive in exchange for their membership fees. A magazine and reduced conference fees may seem insufficient payback for writing that yearly check. Like many things in life, association membership tends to pay back what you put into it. Often, the real benefits are those generated by your own participation, rather than those advertised by the association as part of its membership package. There are three benefits of membership that are not well-advertised: becoming remarkably well informed, developing a network of colleagues, and building a better resume. Association participation also allows you to spread your wings at times when your job doesn't allow you that room. Becoming Remarkably Well-Informed As we work in an environment that changes and expands daily, we are bombarded with information about new resources, new legislation and new ways of doing business. We keep up in a variety of ways, but it is often through association membership that you can become part of the group "in the know." The major issues of both the evolving information community and traditional librarianship are dealt with at a committee level in library associations. If you want to understand copyright, or service to the visually impaired, or emerging technologies, chances are that a library association near you will be doing work in that area. Members can absorb information from conference sessions or position papers. An even greater opportunity for learning is provided by joining a committee, being part of association research and discussion, and getting to know other people who are interested in the same area. Getting involved in a committee is generally as easy as e-mailing the chair, or a committee member, and asking if there is a way that you can contribute to the committee's work. No one expects you to be an expert when you first join; they simply want you to agree to be an active participant. Developing a Network Of Colleagues The library community is becoming more fluid, with people moving from one job to another, and from one type of library to another. How do you prepare yourself for this kind of change? Through association participation, you meet people who have different kinds of jobs, and work in different kinds of libraries. They will become your first resource for finding out what's really going on. Considering a job in another city? One of the people you have met or worked with through association business may have lived there, or know someone who works there. Inside information is only a phone call or e-mail away, and moving is often easier if you already know someone at your new place of employment. Talking over thorny professional issues can also be easier with someone from a different workplace. Association involvement is one of the best ways to build up a network of people who understand and share your professional concerns, but are not involved in your specific situation. They can provide either objective advice or a sympathetic ear. Building a Better Resume Association participation is one answer to the old question, "How do I get a specific job without relevant experience?" Through association activities, you add experience to your resume that you may not be able to get with your current job. If, for example, all of the jobs you are looking at require budgetary experience, run for association treasurer. If you need supervisory experience, offer to be the volunteer coordinator at a conference. Public speaking experience comes from conference presentations -- or, if you're not quite ready for that, from convening sessions and introducing speakers. Many job advertisements ask for leadership qualities and innovation, both of which can be hard to demonstrate on a resume. Being an association executive or being the chair of a committee both demonstrate leadership to potential employers. Other executive positions can be used to demonstrate skill development, and they present an opportunity to learn leadership skills. Innovative ideas may find a more receptive audience in a committee or interest group than in your workplace. Getting Involved I have often heard the comment that it is hard to break into the cabal of those already involved in an association. At the same time, every association that I have belonged to has had trouble getting people to volunteer for committees and conference responsibilities and getting sufficient candidates to hold an election. The first step of putting your name forward is the hardest. Once you are an active part of an association, however, opportunities will continue to present themselves. Many library employers look for association activities as an indicator of commitment to the profession. While membership is the minimum level of participation, the more active you become, the more you benefit. Along with the good feeling that comes from knowing that you are contributing to your profession, you can also experience concrete benefits that will enhance your career. Margaret Law is Associate Director of Libraries [Science, Technology and Health Sciences] at the University of Alberta, and is the incoming president of the Canadian Library Association. -------- What's Online? Recommended Resources Exploring Library Associations Using the Internet by Sarah Nesbeitt (snesbeitt@bridgew.edu) The Internet is the first place you should look to find information about professional associations in the library and information fields. Several hundred national and local library associations (as well as a number of international groups) are currently in existence, and all but a few have a web presence to call their own. Association web pages can serve as online brochures for an organization, including such information as contact details (address, phone, and e-mail), membership dues, and the overall mission of the group. However, the web permits associations to display much more than just the basics. For members or potential members, association web sites can provide reports from subgroups or committees, conference information and/or proceedings, job announcements, and activity calendars. These web pages are also good sources for member recruitment. To outsiders, such as members of the media, organization web sites can provide contact information on officers or specialists in a particular area, as well as news and event announcements. The type and amount of information included is usually related either to the size of a particular group or the expertise and enthusiasm of its technical staff. Begin your search for association web pages with one of the following sites: * Professional Organizations in the Information Sciences ( http://witloof.sjsu.edu/peo/organizations.html ), from the library school at San Jose State University, contains an alphabetical list of links to library and information science associations. It is particularly useful for locating information-related organizations outside of librarianship, such as the Association for Applied Interactive Multimedia ( http://www.aaim.org ), but weaker when it comes to state library and library media associations. In addition, the site could use some updating. Many links don't work, and others lead to sites other than those described. Still, it's a good starting point. * Himmel and Wilson Library Consultants ( http://www.execpc.com/himmel/ ; scroll down the page) provides access to separate pages containing lists of links to National and International Associations; State Library Associations; and State and Regional School Library, Educational Media, and Technology Associations. This latter page ( http://www.execpc.com/himmel/edmedia.html ) is one of the few places where library media specialists can go to locate web pages for relevant groups. The Librarians Online Information Network ( http://www.libertynet.org/~lion/organizations.html ) offers a similar site for school librarians. * ALA's Divisions, Units, and Governance ( http://www.ala.org/alaorg/ ) will help you navigate your way through the United States' largest and most comprehensive library association. The site provides access to web sites maintained by its divisions (including ACRL, LITA, and PLA), round tables, chapters, and affiliates. This site also includes a new guide to state library associations ( http://www.ala.org/cro/state_guide.html ), which includes contact information for officers and the name of the association journal for each group. * Library Associations in Canada ( http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/8/8/index- e.html ), from the National Library of Canada, serves as a meta- index to Canadian library and information associations. Another excellent site for Canadian information is Associations and Organizations Related to Information Studies ( http://www.fis.utoronto.ca/internet/assocs.htm ), from the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto. * IFLA's Online Membership Directory ( http://www.ifla.org/database/directy.htm ) lets you search for international associations by keyword. For each organization, this directory provides basic contact information, URL (if available), and the date when the group was founded. * Libraries on the Web: USA Consortia ( http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Libweb/usa-consortia.html ) is a meta- guide to library consortia in the United States. While members of consortia tend to be libraries rather than individuals, these groups can also provide professional development opportunities for librarians, such as continuing education courses, professional conferences, and job lists. Looking at library association web pages via one of these meta-sites can help you determine whether becoming involved with a particular group is right for you. Sarah Nesbeitt is Reference/Systems Librarian at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. She is the co-author, with Rachel Singer Gordon, of the upcoming book, The Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online (Information Today, Inc., 2001). Read more about the title and sign up to be notified upon publication at http://www.lisjobs.com/careerdev/ -------- But I Want To Hold It In My Hand! Print Resources Weller, Ann C. Editorial Peer Review: Its Strengths and Weaknesses. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc. (ASIST Monograph Series), 2001. ISBN 1-57387-100-1. $44.50. Purchase from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573871001/librarisjobsearc/ In Editorial Peer Review, Weller conducts a thorough examination of published studies on the peer review process between 1945 and 1997. Although her scope includes studies of the process in a variety of fields, librarians who face the challenge of writing for peer reviewed publications will find a wealth of thought-provoking material here. Topics covered include the rejected manuscript, editors and editorial boards, peer review in an electronic environment, and the role of reviewers. Each is examined through the lens of available studies, and Weller points out when current studies are insufficient and more research is needed into an aspect of the peer review process. Studies of journals in librarianship are included, and publication-minded information professionals will find useful nuggets of information in tables that compare, for example, rejection rates in journals from different disciplines. Recommended for academic librarians who need to immerse themselves in the peer review process. -------- Info Career Trends is copyright Lisjobs.com and Rachel Singer Gordon. Permission is granted to forward this newsletter in its entirety as long as the contents remain unchanged and this copyright message is included. For permission to reprint articles in this newsletter, contact the individual authors. If no author is listed, contact editor@lisjobs.com. To subscribe to Info Career Trends, send an email message to imailsrv@lisjobs.com. 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