Stefanie Stephens

LIS 600 Fall 2014

Professional Organizations Assignment

1. Each student will learn about a state and a national association they wish to join.
National: Progressive Librarians Guild
They are a group that believes real democracy requires an enlightened citizenry, and that society
should provide all people with the means for free intellectual development.
State: Southeastern Library Association
As it says on their website for over sixty years, the Southeastern Library Association has been a
unifying force strong enough to influence legislation and to attract foundation and federal funds for
regional library projects.
2. Learn about its costs and benefits, and be ready to discuss in class why you wish to join these
associations
National: dues are $20 for individuals, $10 for students/low income

Membership includes access to the Progressive Librarian journal and to the PLG
Bulletin and Listserv

I want to join because the principles and beliefs of the Guild are the same as my own and I very much
believe that a large part of being a librarian is advocating for the citizens of our communities using
whatever resources we can.
State: dues for students are $10/yr, regular members pay based on salary starting at $25/yr and going
up to $65
As a member of SELA, you will receive the quarterly Southeastern Librarian
Be able to participate in a mentoring program available to members
Have affiliation in 2 round tables
I want to join because while they are not an association focused on one state but rather the entire
southeastern US they are actively working towards improving not only the library field but also the
state of the region and the US as a whole. It is again a group interested in advocating for the citizens
of the community.

3. Any differences between them

SELA is a regional association whereas PLG, which started as national, has become international.
PLG is more about local activism and recognizing/identifying what changes need to be made and why.
SELA takes this information and acts on it by lobbying for changes to legislation.
4. And if you could only select one which one would it be and why
I would choose to join SELA over PLG if I could only join one of the two. I feel that both organizations
are important and doing good work but SELA seems to have more of an impact than the PLG. Also, I
have always lived in the southeast but in several different states. I love them all and want to help all
of them be the best and do the most for their citizens.