I think we only do a disservice to bot AALL and SLA when we step back and
attempt a general and generic comparison as to which is better for us as law
librarians. Each group offers many wonderful strengths and certainly has
its weaknesses here and there. It really boils down to an individual
decision. For most of us, the choice of whether to join one, the other or
even both really depends upon economics and time. Keeping up full and
active membership in both organzations can be both expensive and exhausting.
So we choose. However, I would rather invite everyone one who is in the
position of having to make a choice to really and thoroughly investigate
each organization and what it has to offer. Make the choice that best seems
to suit who you are and what you do professionally. Once you have made the
choice, it does not mean you cannot keep up with what is happening in other
organization or participate in some of its activities. It should never come
down to an "us against them" mentality. The field of librarianship is,
after all, one huge profession with a growing number of subsets. One of the
great things about librarians is that they know how to stick together and
know, all too well, the importance of networking. I, personally, thus see
nothing wrong with an organization that tries to meet the needs of a
spectrum of library professions - so long as it meets my needs as a law
librarian. This profession of ours is a great one and we are exceedingly
fortunate to have two organizations that strive to advance its development.
My humble two and a half cents! Have a great day everyone!
John J. DiGilio
Legal & Business Research Librarian
Pittsburgh, PA
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Long [mailto:tlong@infionline.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:08 AM
To: Judith Cole; law-lib@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Re: AALL or ALA
Judy -
AALL is not just for academic librarians. It is the sole library
organization dedicated to law libraries. Granted there are law librarians
who like you and I are in government but, we are, after all, law librarians.
AALL presents programs and publications that are unique to our types of law
libraries. It is not serving the interests of pharmaceutical, museum,
banking, engineering and law; it is serving only the needs of law libraries.
Stick with AALL. Try to attend an annual meeting (There are scholarships
available, if your agency can not afford to send you.), while at the annual
meeting attend the State, Court and County SIS meeting. Get involved with
the section. You will meet others in your situation and will benefit from
sharing ideas and attending programs. And, speaking of programs, you can
propose one for next year's meeting - another way to get involved in an
organization dedicated to your profession. Even if you can't attend a
meeting, the literature and listserv discussions provided by AALL are
beneficial to the profession.
On a local level, try to attend a SEAALL meeting (There are scholarships
availabe to attend - I have received one.). Local involvement is helpful,
too.
Remember AALL is for law libraries.
Terry
***********************************************
Elizabeth Terry Long
Assistant Law Librarian
Virginia State Law Library
Supreme Court Building, 2d floor
100 N. Ninth St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-786-2075
E-mail: tlong@infionline.net
or tlong@courts.state.va.us
----- Original Message -----
From: "Judith Cole" <ColeJ@hillsboroughcounty.org>
To: <law-lib@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 2:11 PM
Subject: AALL or ALA
This is a departure from the conference thread. I have been a member of
AALL for 2 years and have never been a member of SLA. I can belong to only
one or the other. I am thinking of moving over to SLA because my
organization's needs are very different from those of academic law
libraries. We are a government entity but aside from having a captive
clientele and not having shareholders, we function very much like a private
practice. I would welcome feedback before I make the move.
Judy Cole, Law Librarian
Hillsborough County Attorney's Office
601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 27th Fl.
Tampa, FL 33602
Tel: 813-272-5673, Ext. 126
Fax: 813-272-5758
colej@hillsboroughcounty.org
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