[Publib] Library Education, was:Jobs and People

[Backwage at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/11/2009 7:28:43 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
rballiot at gmail.com writes:

The cost of  ALA effectively gears the organization to the needs of  
executives. If
you can get time away from work, afford housing, transportation,  
membership fees,
committee membership fees you get to participate. So, the interests of  
Directors
and Vendors are well represented in committees.  It really is a  stretch 
for everyone else.



And for the proletariat, a very nice, large Hall of Vendors, which an  
ordinary librarian may visit on a day trip, receiving various little treats that 
 will make her somehow think very well of both ALA and its owner-vendors 
for  years to come.  Meanwhile, the membership meeting lacks a quorum, nobody  
but Councilors attends Council, and the whole system lurches onward.  ALA  
is essentially a couple of Annual Meetings with a minor organization  
attached.  The meetings fund the operations to a considerable extent.   The 
vendors pay to play, and their glittering presence attracts folks like any  
carnival show.  
 
Think ALA will ever oppose the vendor-industrial complex?  Not  soon.
 
M. M. 
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