PinHawk Blog

Librarian News Digest

Vol. 1, No. 125

I’m a bit leery of responding to the Law Librarian’s Blog post, Librarians, Vendors and AALL: Is anyone really asking (or expecting) AALL to do their jobs for them when conducting business with vendors? as it seems that those who do – often do it at their own expense. I’m going to respond though, because the topic is so darned important. Here’s my take. First, I agree, no librarian expects AALL to do their job. Second, as librarians, we are (or should be) advocates for our organizations and we should look to AALL for assistance when we are not able to accomplish our goals while advocating. Third, I doubt the need for a Caucus for Consumer Advocacy when CRIV was created to act in our behalf.

CRIV has more than one task. One, to act as an advocate responding to member needs regarding vendor issues – by this, I mean issues that the membership can’t solve on their own. Two, to create educational opportunities for AALL’s membership that teaches advocacy skills. “If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime.” CRIV was never meant to be an arbitrator for individual member’s grievances. If it’s broke, lets figure out a way to fix it, not replace it.

I have seen many individual library directors and managers making big differences in how their vendors provide them with service. One email on law-lib has often resulted in a response from a vendor with positive outcomes. I’ve also seen good response from vendors when I’ve called or emaild to raise an issue. The vendors, who have worked with me in the past, will tell you I’m not easy on them – one even said, “I can’t catch a break with you.” At the same time, I maintained cordial relationships with them. WE have a responsibility to our organizations to be the best advocate we can be. AALL can assist but it is still our job.

Finally, our colleagues and friend in leadership in AALL are not our enemies.

Written by: Nina on October 31, 2011.
Last revised by: Danielle on November 3, 2011.