ASSOCIATES (vol. 1, no. 1, July 1994) - associates.ucr.edu
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR _It's About Time_ When I learned months ago about the creation of _ASSOCIATES_, I was very excited. The entire concept of an _online_ journal for library _support_ staff was intriguing. I thought long and hard about what to submit to the inaugural issue. The possible topics were endless, and finally I had the chance to vent some concerns, anger and frustration to people who could actually understand me because they were in a similar job position--and possibly even in a similar situation. In the end, I have decided to hold off venting, at least for this issue, and instead concentrate on the importance of this publication. When it is considered that approximately 80% of library staff in the United States alone do not have MLS or MLIS degrees, and that the majority of these employees are indeed library support staff, the importance of this journal becomes clear. It will serve a majority of library workers, possibly the first time that an electronic publication will do so. This publication is a good idea, a timely idea and an historic idea. It must be continue to be published. I hope that _ASSOCIATES_ will force its readers to come up with creative ideas. While seemingly far-fetched at the present time, it may be possible to form a network of support groups, associations and conventions for library support staff in the future. The interest in this journal will serve as an example to see if such ideas and concepts are feasible. But, for now, the first issue is at hand. I congratulate the editors for making the idea become reality. I hope that this publication will continue for years to come, and I hope to be able to contribute in future issues. Adam Glazer AGLAZER@nhqvax.hq.nasa.gov NASA Headquarters Library Washington, DC