Sharon - the AALL dues increase was discussed on the law-lib listserv, in Spectrum and at the Annual Meeting over the last couple years and approved by the membership in a mail ballot. It wasn't sprung on us, and in fact, will increase again over the next two years, being a 3 year phase-in.
You know where I work - it's in my signature - and my Dept. doesn't pay my AALL or NOCALL dues because membership is not required by my job. As you know, attorneys in my Dept. must belong to the State Bar to practice law, so their dues are paid for by the State. Under a Memorandum of Understanding between my bargaining unit and the Dept. of Personnel Administration, I may be reimbursed for up to $75 for professional dues. So I pay all but $75 of my AALL dues and all of my NOCALL dues.
I think this calls for a cost-benefit analysis. Does the benefit of membership justify the cost to you? The way I look at it, the value I get out of it is worth the money I spend. Last year I was able to deduct that expense from my income taxes as a work related expense, but only because I exceeded the 2% of taxable income limit because I had to pay to attend the Annual Meeting in Seattle.
I hope that my experience as another public employee who must pay for professional enrichment will help you decide whether or not to continue your membership in AALL.
As a personal note, I have enjoyed seeing you, Kerry, and the other Valley county law librarians at both the NOCALL and AALL meetings. I hope you continue to come.
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