I believe that UKeIG (ex-UKOLUG) and AIOPI (information officers in the
pharma industry) both operate successfully with a combination of individual
and corporate members, but I agree with Alan that this is the exception
rather than the rule. I, too, am sorry about Aslib's demise, but not
surprised; it has been going steadily downhill in activities offered (and
therefore reasons to belong) for many years. Maybe advertising revenue has
dropped since 9/11, but the rot was in place already before then.
Charles
Professor Charles Oppenheim
Department of Information Science
Loughborough University
Loughborough
Leics LE11 3TU
Tel 01509-223065
Fax 01509-223053
e mail [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Pritchard" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 8:50 AM
Subject: Re: Future of Aslib
> I wonder whether CILIP would consider this an opportunity to discuss
> with Aslib the possible merger of the two organisations. There is almost
> complete overlap in subject interests, and it would seem better to have
> one strong organisation representing both individual and corporate
> members of the profession.
>
> Besides, a joint organisation might then end up with a library again!
>
I found that very sad. I did a summer work placement at Belgrave Square
when I was a student. Spent a lot of time reading old journals (ProcBSIB,
JDoc etc) But before I fully go into 'boring old fart reminiscing' mode, I
do have a more substantial point.
I just wonder if a single organisation consisting of both personal and
corporate members could actually work. Other than just having a few of the
latter as supporting members. There are enough conflicts of interests with
differing segments of personal members, but I could see much more
fundamental conflict between, say, the LA acting as the professional
regulator of special librarians and attempting to represent the interests
of the corporate employers of those librarians.
I may be out of date, but I am not aware of any major organisations which
operate on this model. BCS, IEE, IoD - personal members. CBI etc -
corporate members.
Best wishes
Alan Pritchard
The GLOBAL GAZETTEERT: the world on file
http://www.allm-geodata.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1202 417 477
NOTE my new email address: [log in to unmask]
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