Like most librarians, I am an advocate for our profession. I believe with my whole heart that the public library is one of the few public ally funded agencies that truly benefits everyone in our society equally. It doesn't matter what your race, religion, age, economic situation or gender is---anyone can get a library card. All are welcome to use the computers and borrow materials. Everyone can attend library programs. And if the library doesn't have what you want or need, we'll get it for you. Information is us and we will be the first to defend your right to access that information no matter what it is. Your First Amendment rights are sacred to librarians.
This year, public library funding has yet taken another hit in the state of Pennsylvania and library workers are yet again bracing themselves for the fallout. Layoffs, reductions in collection budgets, fewer hours of operation and threats of closures have become yearly expectations. It is regrettable, but we are all expected to understand. It's the economy.
Now here is where the Conservative Librarian cannot believe her ears. The American Library Association, though they are well aware of the financial plight of libraries around the nation, continue to plan, hold and encourage attendance at the annual convention---and library administrators across the land are happily planning to attend.
Why?
Because "it's a necessary part of our profession to keep on top of things"???? Oh, puhlease! Get real, people! It's an excuse to get out of the office for a couple of days and take an all-expense paid vacation to New Orleans where you go to a few workshops, get fussed over by vendors and party with your pals!
No one I know of, including myself, has ever attended one of these conventions and brought back anything of value from it, except for maybe some tote bags or magnets.
And who pays for this gathering of professional greats?
Since it is done for the library, many libraries factor convention attendance into their yearly budgets. It isn't cheap. Sending two delagates for
this week-long convention can easily run up to $10,000 in airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, and entrance fees.
Even if the attendees pay their own way, they are still paid their usual salaries while attending. This is business, after all!
Is this really the most effective use of employee time and money?
At a time of economic crisis where we are all being asked to do our part and conserve what little funding we have, I'd like to toss a challenge out to all library administrators---set an example for your staff and don't go. ALA---consider holding a "virtual convention" online. You set the tone for your libraries, own up to it. It's hard for your frontline staff to justify reductions in hours and lack of materials while you're off partying in the Big Easy.