Linking Libraries and Academic Achievement

At the recent ALA mid-winter, there was a discussion on why should people join the professional organization.  It made several of stop and think, “Why did we join?” .  Of course the first answer was to foster our professional growth.  But why else would you join?  To meet people, to travel, to obtain several magazines???  The list goes on and on.

    I began to think, why did I join VEMA?  I joined VEMA back in the mid 1970’s and have continued my membership since then.  Why do I stay in?  I will answer that by pointing out 5 things you may not know about VEMA.

1.  There are close to 2,000 members.

2.  VEMA is the state affliate to AASL and is nationally recognized by both ALA and AASL for their outstanding contributions to school libraries and academic achievement.  Several Virginians have served or are currently serving as officers or board members of the national organizations. 

3.  VEMA offers scholarships to aspiring and current librarians.

4.  VEMA provides opportunites for professional growth through regional meetings, summer leadership training, the annual conference and through a quarterly newsletter, The MediaGram.

5.  VEMA connects us with thousands of other librarians who are facing the same challenges as we do every day.  The list serve links those who need to know with those who know.

I know that if you are reading this, you probably are already a VEMA member, but I am sure that you know others that aren’t.  Copy this, forward this, print this out, and share why you are a VEMA member!

On behalf of the VEMA Board, See you at the Regionals!

This entry was posted on Monday, April 2nd, 2007 at 3:48 pm Filed under Uncategorized and. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.