[LM_NET] You and ALA

[Floyd <calaf@CHARTER.NET>]

I would like to add my $.02 to the discussion as well. Very good points  
have been made by all concerned. I don't want to rehash everyone's  
point.

I would just say that this idea of AASL breaking away from ALA is not a  
new one. When I was just getting started in the profession, almost  
thirty years ago, the letters were flying back and forth. I wasn't  
involved enough to remember why nothing came of it but I can assume  
that the reason is the same one that will ultimately prevail today: to  
start a new organization - from scratch - is an enormous undertaking  
that requires more than volunteers; it requires money and a compelling  
and cohesive vision and more than a current frustration to build a  
national organization with respect within the educational community.

In some ways, I see Balkanization of our profession as one of our  
greatest enemies. We are grappling so hard to come to grips with our  
role in the educational community that we are thinking that reading,  
literacy, technology,  and other organizations, standards, and  
leadership are the way. I can't help but believe that we need to work  
within our own community to support and develop the response to the 2.0  
world.

I can't also help but feel that in some ways there is a retreat within  
the profession. As we come under more stress, as budgets are cut,  
personnel positions changed or eliminated, even attacks on the very  
core of our profession, that rather than pitching in and revitalizing  
our mission we would rather jump ship and see what the greener pasture  
has to offer.

We are ALA as well as AASL. Just as it is up to us to make that  
difference in our own building, it is up to us to make a difference in  
ALA.

floyd

Floyd Pentlin
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
---------------
Region III Director, American Association of School Librarians
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
---------------
ANSWER MACHINE/FAX: 660.747.0683 - E-MAIL: calaf@charter.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
---------------
  2007 Candidate for AASL President-Elect
"AASL will continue to invigorate the library 'brand' as a dynamic and  
central presence in the educational process."
WEB: http://web.mac.com/sycamorehill/iWeb/LibrarianAYS/Home.html
BLOG: http://web.mac.com/sycamorehill/iWeb/LibrarianAYS/Blog/Blog.html


--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------