ASSOCIATES (vol. 3, no. 2, November 1996) - associates.ucr.edu
Editorial
[Editor's Note: As we're all in this together, we thought you'd
might like to hear the views and thoughts of the other members of
the _ASSOCIATES_ Editorial Board. This is the first in a series
of editorials by the board members. Katie Buller, as Associate
Editor, starts off.]
Tonight is a good time to write this. I've just gotten back from
the Wisconsin Library Association Support Staff Section yearly
conference in Madison and I'm feeling energized. I've renewed my
membership and restated my willingness to be active in our
support staff section. One of the nice things about it is that
it really only takes just a little time to help out. A phone
call here or there, or maybe contribute some graphics or come to
a meeting to help plan a conference. Sound complicated? It's
not, believe me, or I wouldn't be doing it. Anyone who knows me
knows that I do not "do complicated" well so doing my bit for the
WLA SSS is relatively painless.
However, one thing bothered me at this conference. Actually, two
things now that I think about it. This conference is actually
part of the larger Wisconsin Library Association conference,
which "starts" tomorrow according to the preliminary program.
Our portion of the conference was completely left out. When the
error was corrected in the actual conference program issued
today, the only planning committee referred to in the program
was the one that organized the portion starting tomorrow. The
support staff planning committee received no mention. Small
things? Probably. Human error? I like to think so. But
frightening just the same. Are paraprofessionals, who make up
the majority of library staffs across the country if not the
world, becoming invisible in our own libraries?
It is a constant struggle to remind our colleagues that the
association is called the American LIBRARY Association, not the
American LIBRARIAN Association. We as paraprofessionals must
continue in the fight. One way to do this is to join and become
active in your own professional associations, not to subvert but
to strengthen them. As a single voice, you may be lost in the
crowd, but with one unified voice we CAN be heard. And a voice
consisting of thousands is a voice to be reckoned with.
Elsewhere in this issue you'll find a calendar of upcoming
paraprofessional events. Find one close to you and plan to
attend. You'll be glad you did.
Katie Buller
Associate Editor