Good conversations going on in the LISBlogosphere today. Meredith talks about why the community can be a good thing, even if it appears intimidating at first. LiB puts the community to work and opens up a discussion that is near and dear to many of us. That being of course, why librarians get paid absolute crap. Do not be afraid of that word Sarah! It Is C-R-A-P!
I can only echo what has been said over in LiB’s comments. Why do librarians get paid so little? Why does the ALA still pretend like there is a shortage of librarians? Why doesn’t the ALA fight for us? Why do I make less than a public school teacher with less education than I have under my belt? Am I not valuable?
It seems that much of my thoughts have turned to the price of things lately: schools, libraries, librarians, education, war… the list could go on.
We value the things we pay for and we show our morals both by how we choose to spend our time and to whom we give money. As the old saying goes, “Put your money where your mouth is.” I will point to the obvious example of our governments, both federal and local. What do your representatives spend your money on? What is ALA spending our money on?
–Jane, what do you value?