The Pros
Library associations are great places to network. In everyday life, you may not get a chance to randomly meet other people in your field, especially not on a regular basis. Yet within an association, one can easily parlay the relationships that are fostered into bigger and better things. You may learn a different way of assisting patrons or even be offered a new and better paying job as a result.

Associations are also great ways of keeping abreast of the latest innovations and technologies that affect our daily work lives. Let’s face it, we don’t all have a lot of time to sit around and read every journal and every article that discusses librarianship. With professional associations some of the best of these ideas are highlighted and discussed with you.

Associations also provide opportunities to flex your leadership skills. Being a member is great, but being an active member can benefit you even more. Taking the lead on a committee can give you management experience you may not get as a reference librarian. This can then give you the proficiency necessary down the road when you feel like advancing your career into library management.

The Cons
I have to admit that one of my first cons is money. Most of these associations require dues annually. For example, ALA membership is $48-$135, depending on your job status, and SLA membership is $40-$200 depending on what your annual salary is. These are just the dues though — they often do not include the cost of attending conferences, in and out of state. While I think it’s great that the fees are on a scale, it is still an extra expense that many of us, right out of school and burdened with school loans, may not be prepared to pay. Another “con” might be whether or not these associations are even necessary in today and tomorrow’s world of internet information globalism. I was reading the November 12, 2014 blog post from Beerbrarian, where he discusses what tools he cannot live without. One of his choices was Twitter because “I can’t afford to go to every conference I’d like to. Library twitter is like a 24/7/365 conference. Articles, blog posts, and other useful items get shared.”

I wonder if Beerbrarian is correct: Are Twitter and other social media sites are all you really need in order to achieve all (or at least most) of the “pros” of professional memberships? Please feel free to discuss and share your thoughts in the comments.

Sources:

http://beerbrarian.blogspot.com/

http://www.ala.org/membership/ala-personal-membership

https://hq.sla.org/cvweb_sla/cgi-bin/memberdll.dll/info?wrp=membershipapp.htm

http://letterstoayounglibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/10/association-membership-for-fun-and.html

The post To Join, Or Not To Join first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Developed in collaboration with the International City and County Managers Association (ICMA), and supported by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the PLA Leadership Academy offers a groundbreaking focus on developing the skills needed to work with municipal officials and other community stakeholders to enhance the position of the library within the community and improve the overall effectiveness of library services and programs.

The PLA Leadership Academy offers:

• a three and a half day, in-person educational /networking event;
• a professional coach program with experienced public library leaders and city managers;
• development of real-world projects to implement at attendees’ libraries.

For this selective program, registration fees (valued at $2,500) are waived and all meals will be provided; however participants will be required to cover travel costs and lodging at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, S.C. Interested participants must complete an application, submit two letters of recommendation, and be accepted to participate in the PLA Leadership Academy. Applicants must be PLA members and MLS/MLIS librarians with at least five years of increasingly responsible experience. The application deadline is Sept. 30, 2014, and applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by Nov. 21. Attendance is selective and will be limited to thirty-two (32).

The PLA Leadership Academy: Navigating Change · Building Community was developed with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant. The curriculum is designed by the PLA Leadership Development Committee with the assistance of ICMA and Adam Goodman, director of the Center for Leadership, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and builds on PLA’s previous leadership training initiatives.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact PLA at pla@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752).

About the Public Library Association
PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA’s website at www.pla.org.

About the International City/County Management Association
ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government worldwide. The organization’s mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional management to build sustainable communities that improve people’s lives. ICMA provides member support; publications; data and information; peer and results-oriented assistance; and training and professional development to 9,500 appointed city, town, and county leaders and other individuals and organizations throughout the world.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Professional development is an essential piece for molding yourself into a better library employee.  Membership in these national organizations means you receive American Libraries and Public Libraries, which are full of great articles on different aspects of the library world.  You get emails of the weekly AL Direct with more great information on current library events and opportunities.  News of webinars providing prospects of continuing education come to you, and you can attend them for a discount.

Then, of course, you have the conferences. With these gatherings comes the opportunity to travel to another city, meet new people who are excited about library service, and learn about new developments and programs that other libraries are doing.  If you haven’t had the chance to attend a conference, I highly recommend it.  The feeling of excitement and new information you come away with is inspiring.

When I went to PLA, I had already started easing myself into professional development, but the PLA conference really put the fire in me.  I attended some fabulous sessions, met amazing authors, and decided that I wanted to be more involved. If you can’t go to one of the national conferences, try your state conference. Better yet, present at a conference!  After attending PLA, I came back to Colorado and talked with a couple of my coworkers about presenting at our state conference. Our proposal was accepted and we had a great experience. Speaking in front of a group of our peers who hoped to learn something that would help them in their career paths was both terrifying and thrilling. I felt like I was contributing in a whole new way and taking a bigger role in my professional organization.

Beyond professional development, ALA and PLA are active advocates for libraries in ways that individuals cannot be.  As large organizations, they are able to be more visible in overarching issues and debates. They can represent the whole of libraries when working with issues, like publishers and eBooks. They are able to connect librarians and distribute information on a large scale. Want to know how to advocate for your library?  Go to the organizations’ websites and you’ll find out. Want to get information to compare with what’s happening in your district?  Send an email out on one of the many listservs. Much of what we use on a daily basis, like the Code of Ethics and Library Bill of Rights, comes from the ALA.

Whether you’re interested in attending a conference, learning about a new skill, advocating for your library, connecting with others in your chosen field, or just supporting the work that these organizations do, joining ALA, PLA, and other national or local organizations is worth it.  I have come to realize membership in these groups is, indeed, an investment – an investment in libraries and an investment in myself!

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