Thanks to Alice’s post, Strong women in times of change, at It’s all good I came across the following: Leslie Burger’s Emerging Leadership Initiative.
A side question that is not really related to my point here is why is this under the aegis of the Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative and not ALA?
Why:
To enable 100 young librarians to get on the fast track to ALA and professional leadership
Who:
1) ALA member, and
2) Young (under 35 years), and
3) Recent MLS degree or in an MLS program currently, and
4) Ready to be involved in an ALA committee or workgroup, and
5) Able to attend both ALA conferences and work virtually inbetween, and
6) Ready to commit to serve on an ALA committee, taskforce or workgroup upon completion of program
My point. This is discriminatory.
This should be available to any new and "young to the profession" librarians. I have no doubt that some of you can come up with justifications for limiting this to those under 35; go ahead and post them as comments if you like. Not likely I’ll buy any of them though.
My first guess would be because us recalcitrant Baby Boomers need managing by the young as evidenced by the article I discussed here.
My next question would be: Under 35 as of when? As of application submission, application deadline, start date of the program, or some other date?
I find it completely amazing how many lines—generational and otherwise—professional librarians are capable of drawing. Despite my age and despite what any of the rest of you may think, I fully intend to have a long and productive career in librarianship; as do all of the other students I know who are 35 or over (no small number either).
As any of you know who know me, I have absolutely nothing against the "young." In fact, I dearly love them for all that they bring to the table. But we really should be encouraging all new librarians to get involved in our professional organizations.
So, a hearty "Thank you!" to whoever had the great idea to marginalize my cohort and me. We certainly don’t bring anything to the organization from our previous life experiences, nor do we care to be involved. Keep telling yourselves that and it will become a reality.
18 responses so far ↓
1 Meredith // Jun 19, 2006 at 1:21 pm
So I guess you must not be a fan of library residency programs for minorities either? I just think it’s designed to get a group that is underrepresented in ALA leadership a leg-up. They are trying to reach out to young people because they know that we are the ones who they will need to keep around (and engaged in ALA leadership) or risk losing their membership base. The reality is that many more young people feel alienated by ALA than do Baby Boomers and they are very smart in creating a program that encourages young people not only to stay with ALA, but to get REALLY involved in its governance. If it makes a bunch of young ALA members happy and pisses off a few boomers, they’ll still be ahead of the game. I’m not defending them, but I do think it’s one of the politically smarter things they’ve doen recently. They have to secure their future existence.
2 Mark // Jun 19, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Hi Meredith and thanks for your comment.
NO, I am certainly not against minority residency programs. At least not on their face. In truth, the almost complete lack of diversity in librarianship makes me ill.
But let’s be honest here, no matter my age, as a male I am also definitely in the minority here. But, of course, to be a middle-aged, white male is as politically incorrect as one can be, so ALA certainly won’t be attempting to recruit men unless they happen to be some other sort of other minority. Hmmm? I wonder what the percentage of military “retirees” is in librarianship? Or even people who have served in the military, period? [And, yes, I am well aware of many of us out here in the biblioblogosphere; but I still bet that overall it is a tiny percentage.]
So folks like me do NOT need to be kept around, nor kept engaged in our chosen profession? Meredith, you are a bright person, but that is simply a silly argument!
“The reality is….” PLEASE! Show me some sort of empirical data for this claim. It is repeated ad nauseum throughout the biblioblogosphere and in our print literature, but I have yet to see ANY evidence whatsoever for it. The “reality,” as I (and others) see it (admittedly, also with only anecdotal evidence) is that ALA is alienating a large majority of NEW librarians, despite their age. But that’s right, only “young” people care about serving others with up-to-date methods and tools.
I am all for getting young librarians engaged in our professional organization(s) and I do agree that they are (part of) the future. But shouldn’t ALL new librarians be allowed to be part of that future?
But, again, thanks for suggesting that I (or we Boomers who are new to the profession, or even a 37 year old) should just crawl off and die of irrelevance and old age. And, no, you didn’t really suggest that. But neither did I suggest that I was against programs for recruiting minorities. What I was suggesting is that ALL of us new to the profession may well have something to contribute.
Anyone have anything better than “the young (and ONLY the young) are ALA’s future?” Clearly some of you believe that, and I have spent a large portion of my life trying to provide you with a country where you have the privilege of believing, and saying or writing, it. But that doesn’t make it any more legitimate! Now excuse me while I crawl off in the corner and await my imminent death.
3 Laura // Jun 19, 2006 at 4:43 pm
My mother applied to medical school when she was 32–a good decade older than most people entering. One person in the admissions office told her she was too old, so she went to seek a second opinion. Happily, the second opinion said (in so many words), funk dat.
At the same time, though, there are medical schools that have turned down–or seriously dissuaded–applicants in their fifties. Their reasoning may not be to your liking, but it has some validity: medical schools want (and feel ethically obliged) to train doctors who will be able to serve for a significant period of time. Even with retirement ages creeping up, someone who starts medical school at 55 won’t be finished with residency until age 63, at the earliest, and that simply leaves fewer years for them to practice medicine than someone younger.
Librarianship is not, of course, quite as life-or-death as medicine, nor is it as expensive and time-consuming to train a librarian as it is to train a doctor. But it’s possible that the people running this program may be thinking along those lines. I’m not excusing it–just postulating.
I’m more offended by the economic discrimination here: going to annual and midwinter conferences is not financially possible for many people, and though the web site description encourages employers and divisions and round tables to help out, it still seems to me that this opportunity will be more available to those who have money, either their own or their library’s.
4 Mark // Jun 19, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Hi Laura,
I can see the point about medical school based on the length (and cost!) of education and then residency. Seems a bit more valid there.
If the same model were to apply, then maybe the LIS schools should quit accepting “older” people. Considering I just got accepted to do a 2nd LIS degree, that does not seem to be the case. And heaven forbid that I’d accuse our professional schools of just accepting people to take their money.
And while I might, and have, done just that, it is hard to apply to my case as they are getting very little from me on that score. I had and still have an assistantship and even without it the state is still paying most of my way thanks to state veteran’s benefits.
Besides, it wasn’t too long ago that the age demographic (average, median) in library schools was much closer to 35 than the lower number it is now. Again, I’m glad it is lower now. We do need “fresh blood” in the profession! But “fresh” does not necessarily equate to “young.” Some plants do not flower for literally decades, while some flower in weeks only to die. There might be a useful metaphor in there.
Your point about costs is an excellent one! I think I may have noticed that without really realizing it. But thank you for making it explicit; it really is a significant cost to commit to.
Another question I might have about the criteria is what exactly constitutes “recent MLS degree?”
And just for the record folks, I did not say that I was abandoning ALA yet. My membership is good until the end of October, and as I’ve said in this forum before, my connections in ACRL and ALCTS are valuable to me. I expect to maintain those for the foreseeable future. So maybe my post title isn’t as representative as I meant it to be of my position. Maybe it should have said something about how ALA has alienated me, again. But then I forget how ALA only alienates the “young.”
And I truly do hope that they get a large quantity of highly motivated and quailifed applicants! I do think this is a good thing being attempted (based on the limited knowledge I have of the program). I just feel that it could be a bit more inclusive of all of us “new” to the profession–whether based on age, fiscal or other considerations.
5 ranger // Jun 20, 2006 at 12:33 pm
I get a double whammy here, being a not-quite-brand-new librarian and being (gasp) 35 years old already. BTW, Meredith, how on earth does that make me a baby boomer? That’s okay though because I hate going to ALA and am not on any of their committees because it would eat up most of my travel money. I prefer smaller conferences where I can meet people (not just librarians) in a less-frenzied atmosphere. I think that you may find yourself leaning that way too, Mark.
6 Mark // Jun 20, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Hey ranger! I think the age/Boomer conflation may be more my lack of explicit differentiation than Meredith’s, unless you mean to say that this new initative pissed you off and thus it “makes” you a Boomer. I’m sure that’s not what Meredith meant though. But that is exactly my point; it is not just the “young” who are upset with/alienated by ALA today. NOT to say that you aren’t young!
I did enjoy ALA Annual last year. But for the social aspects, not specific ALA-related things. It was way too big, too spread out, and only affordable because it was close to home. That said, I REALLY wish I was able to go this year for more of the social, but mostly because SO very much is happening in the areas of librarianship that I am interested in.
I most certainly do enjoy the smaller, more focused conferences better. ACRL was much better than ALA, although still kind of large, and definitely expensive. The Library History Seminar was just about perfect! It was nearby, I got paid to work it, I was able to attend almost every session I wanted to, at most there were 2 or 3 things to choose from in a time slot, everything on the program was announced well in advance, and it was VERY intimate with about 100-120 attendees. Oh, and not everyone was a librarian.
7 Angel // Jun 20, 2006 at 2:31 pm
I was disturbed as well, on various levels, which means I will likely type a reply to my blog than make something long here. But you do have a point, apparently it is ok to alienate one segment because, after all, the ones they need are the young, cool ones. And let’s not even talk economics here. Then again, ALA is pretty much a jet set thing. You attracted some very good comments, by the way.
At any rate, try not to keel over and die just yet. After all, you are doing a second LIS degree, and we need someone productive. In seriousness, as always,
Best, and keep on blogging.
8 Tracy // Jun 20, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Hell, they alienated me when they chose to have the conference in New Orleans. Then they alienated me again when they invited Laura Bush. And now this. I officially joined ALA about a week ago, and I’m wondering why now.
Well, I know why, and it’s not because I wanted to be a part of ALA; but I DID want to be a part of SRRT and GLBT-RT. But I’m thinking that the Progressive Librarians Guild may be enough for me in the future.
I was born in 1965. That means that I stand on the cusp of both the Baby Boomers and Gen X. I’ve always felt more of an affinity to the Gen X’ers. But ALA’s attitude is pure BS.
9 Lisle // Jun 21, 2006 at 1:22 pm
OMG, I thought it was just me! I definitely have attitude to spare after spending my entire life in the bottom of the Boom. The perfect demographic target has always been either about 15 years ahead of me or 15 years behind. :p
I think what bothered me most about this initiative when I saw it was that I was never offered anything like it from ALA. I got sent to Annual to represent MPOW when I was in school. It was a godawful experience. I am a member of two roundtables, and have done committee service. Mostly a waste of my time, as I am not going for tenure, and that’s all that mattered to my fellow committe members.
It is too late for me to become an ALA mover & shaker, but even a teeny window of opportunity once would have been nice. I am trying to maintain an “all ships rise with the tide” attitude. ALA can do a better job with new members (regardless of chronological age.) So yes, I am cheesed off but not holding it against the whippersnappers and grasshoppers. I want them to get everything I did not and for ALA to be a better third place for us all.
10 Mark // Jun 21, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Hi Lisle and well said! I can reallly relate to your 1st and last paragraphs. I seem to be on so many cusps of things in my life. For a straight white guy, I inhabit an awful lot of liminal spaces!
I, too, agree ALA can do better with all new members (maybe all members period). But, just as you, I do not hold it against any of the young’ns. At least not until they start suggesting that I am not a part of the future too!
I truly do hope they get an awesome crop of folks to take them up on this opportunity. I just wish it applied to *all* new folks.
11 K.G. Schneider // Jun 21, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Mark, I’m with you on this issue. But I would ask you to make this an issue within ALA, not simply list it as another reason ALA blows chunks.
12 Mark // Jun 21, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Agreed, Karen! I certainly don’t mean to make it only a case of “ALA blows chunks.” Heck, at this point I don’t even know that it *is* an ALA thing. The only reference I’ve seen so far is the Central Jersey one. Admittedly, I haven’t tried real hard to find it at ALA’s site.
I’m swamped with other things at the moment, including trying to get to Annual at the last minute. I have an option for an affordable room and can afford student registration, but I’m having an (understandable) issue finding an inexpensive ride at this point.
I will look into it a bit more as soon as I get a chance, and I’ll try and find some of the related conversation from sometime in the past few months that somewhat center on this issue of generations. Then, I’ll try and do a better job of addressing it from within, as you suggest.
But I probably won’t make it to Annual at this point, so any of you there that have a chance to, please bring it up!
I really have no desire to be any sort of ALA mover or shaker, but I have volunteered for some committees within ALCTS, but I guess I wasn’t selected this time around. Doesn’t mean I’ve given up, just need to keep trying.
As much of interest that I find in ACRL & ALCTS, it also looks like I may need to look at a lot of what LITA does. Just today I was looking back at some blog posts from the past LITA conference and there is *so* much there that impacts on my interests.
So, it seems that ALA has me hooked via its Divisions….
But very good point Karen! From within is the best (and/or correct) way. I’m not dropping my membership, but I’m not convinced they’re listening either. But since I haven’t really tried as well as I might, maybe I’m not entitled to make that claim (yet). The main reason I do believe that they’re not listening is this (seeming) rush to engage the “young.”
ALA is doing some changing; change for the better even. That is evident from some of the recent growing pains. But I’m “old” so I cannot afford to wait too long!
13 nanette // Jun 22, 2006 at 10:35 am
Mark, I agree with your complaints over the age ranges in Leslie Burger’s leadership initiative. I really wish that it would have been intended for librarians with ten or fewer years of professional library experience, because I think there are early-career librarians of all ages who would benefit from her program.
If you’re planning to stay in Illinois to work, you should look into Synergy–it’s similar to what Leslie wants to do, only it’s open to anyone of any age who works in a library (of any type!) in Illinois. The announcement usually comes out in the fall. You’d make a good Synergist.
As far as ALCTS goes, did you apply for an intern position on a committee? That’s how I got involved in committee work within ALCTS. Some of the committees seem to be fairly competitive, especially in the cataloging section (I’m thining CC:DA in particular). Keep trying, and go to the meetings at conference if you get the chance. ALCTS *is* looking for new blood–I can assure you of that–and persistence will pay off. There are also division and roundtable liaison positions available, which could help you get your foot in the door.
LITA’s a good division with a lot going on, but I don’t think it’s any easier to get an appointment with them. My husband was turned down for a committee appointment twice before he finally got an intern appointment this year. He actually e-mailed someone who is very active in LITA about committee opportunities and she was extremely discouraging, which I thought was sad.
Are you an NMRT member? I was just elected VP/Pres-Elect, and one of my presidential initiatives for next year is leadership training (both in-person and via online tools) for early-career librarians OF ANY AGE. If you’re an NMRT member, I’d be happy to offer you a committee appointment to help me plan it! Let me know.
14 Mark // Jun 22, 2006 at 11:51 am
Hi Nanette and thanks for the kind comments!
Ashamedly, I must say I am not a member of NMRT yet. I know I really should fix that. I’ll let you know when I do.
I do not remember exactly which committees I volunteered for, but I do know that my 1st choice was CETRC (Committee on Education, Training and Recruitment for Cataloging). I did attend their committee meeting at Annual last year. Considering I joined (and filled out the volunteer) form in mid-year, I can understand that it may have gotten misplaced. I also have no doubt that it is a very competitive committee appointment.
But I also think back to how much angst was expressed at that meeting about attracting students to cataloging, much less getting them educated. [My comments from then: http://tinyurl.com/syvun ] I certainly will keep trying, though, as the education and training of catalogers is my passion, and why I am doing a CAS.
Synergy does look like a good opportunity for those of us in Illinois, but at the moment I work for GSLIS and not a library. I will keep an eye on it for the future, though.
Again, I don’t remember exactly what positions I volunteered for, but I’d be happy with an intern position. I certainly don’t expect to be given a choice committee assignment right of the bat, and do expect that some “dues” must be paid.
I think part of the problem is the really long lead time for these appointments. I also recently joined ILA and volunteered for some committees there, but I have no idea when they do the appointments. I guess I should learn to keep better track of my efforts, and the process. I don’t want to volunteer in too many places because I don’t want to end up turning a bunch of people down. That doesn’t seem to be a good “political” move. I also do not want to overextend myself.
From the comments here, and a few other things I’ve seen, it appears that there is a ‘movement’ afoot regarding getting ‘new blood’ involved in our professional organizations, just as there is regarding ‘next generation’ catalogs and LIS education in general.
I do know that there are folks who have been librarians for quite a while who also want to see some changes. Maybe we can find a way to harness their knowledge and our (”new” librarians and students) brio towards change. While it certainly must be done from within the organization(s), I also believe there is room to do so from without. Much of ALA’s recent forward progress, IMHO, has been driven more by external events/people than from within. That is, it is somewhat reactionary (in a good way).
Again, thanks for your excellent input Nanette! And I’ll get back with you on NMRT.
Anyone who has ideas on this topic should feel free to contact me. Email addres is on the about page, IM is on the sidebar. If you are a NMRT member, please contact Nanette.
Note regarding Karen’s comment and my reply above: I started doing some research this morning, but I’m not finding an awful lot yet. I’ll report back soon.
15 Liz // Jun 22, 2006 at 8:12 pm
Wow–I didn’t even know I wasn’t young anymore until I read that.
16 ...the thoughts are broken... // Jun 23, 2006 at 11:43 pm
20,000 …thoughts… fans can’t be wrong
…although they may well be confused. Welcome to the club! OK, I don’t really have 20,000 fans. But I did just pass 20,000 page views. I know, I know. A couple folks out here in the biblioblogosphere have half that many Bloglines subscribers and must …
17 Jenica // Jun 27, 2006 at 8:51 am
Hey, Mark — I did Synergy — albeit only part of it, because I moved to New York — and it was a really cool experience. Check it out if it looks like a fit at some point. You’d like the self-exploration aspects of it (if it’s the same as it was in 2003).
18 Mark // Jun 27, 2006 at 10:27 am
I will do that; thanks Jenica.