Yes, and some of us have become AALL members only within the past few
months and are finding out more about the organization while trying to
balance the demands of a new job. Fortunately, this list provides a
great exchange of ideas for those of us who do not yet have the
time, resources, or expertise to take full advantage of AALL
membership. Still, however, when you get right down to it,
members should get some benefits from their dues, even if they
choose not to participate. One benefit from dues seems like it
should have been a careful analysis of the impact a giant merger like
this would have. Perhaps neutrality is the best alternative, but AALL's
version of neutrality sure seems suspiciously hurried. Another alternative
would have been to say nothing--after all, how many associations actively
write letters on behalf of their members' vendors? Another alternative
would have been a more cautious statement--e.g., "we realize that the
merger will have a profound effect and are studying all implications."
And I'm not sure that being "involved" (whatever that means) in
AALL would have made a whit of difference in this situation.
Steve Anderson
Associate Law Librarian
Baltimore County Circuit Court Law Library
On
Fri, 12 Apr 1996, Donna S. Williams wrote:
> Here, Here Lisa! I agree. I also notice that many people who
> complain are not even involved in any committee or attend
> meetings, and then wonder what AALL does for them!? Well,
> wake up and smell the roses...you get whatever you put into
> something! Participate and get involved if you're so
> upset with a decision AALL makes. Run for office, hold a
> chair position, even on the local chapter level. And I wonder
> how many of these people didn't vote when it came down to it?
> I'll get off my soapbox! Happy National Library Week
> EVERYONE!!!!
> -Donna S. Williams, Law Librarian
> Calif. Court of Appeal
> San Jose, CA 95113
>
> At 09:55 AM 4/12/96 -0700, Lisa Satterlund wrote:
> >I promised myself I wouldn't do this, but I'm really getting sick of the
> >attitude that "if you're not for me you're against me" and "there is no such
> >thing as neutrality"
> >
> >I think AALL did the right thing in choosing to remain neutral. It is an
> >ORGANIZATION made up of INDIVIDUALS who have many different
> >views. It would be impossible for AALL to choose any position without
> >offending many of its members. It is wise not to try.
> >
> >Lisa Satterlund
> >Foster Pepper & Shefelman
> >Seattle, WA
>
>
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