[WEB4LIB] Re: Call for Contributors

[Roy Tennant]

I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that there is one 
and only one arbiter of what is appropriate for this list, and that 
person would be...uh...me. But lucky for you, I am ably assisted by a 
distinguished Advisory Board (see 
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Web4Lib/#Administration). This volunteer 
group provides sage advice and tries to prevent me from making a fool 
of myself -- a goal which is all too often out of their grasp, despite 
their best efforts.

In this specific case, I believe that this message has not violated 
list policy, which you can review for yourself at 
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Web4Lib/#Policy. To quote: "All messages 
must relate, however slightly, to the general topic of World Wide Web 
systems and libraries or library staff. The list owner interprets this 
rather broadly, but messages that are clearly off-topic will not be 
tolerated." Since it appears to be perfectly reasonable that readers of 
this list (those interested in library-based web systems) could 
logically be interested in being a contributor to this publication 
("Those of you who have taken on web design...") I believe it falls 
within the policy.
Roy Tennant
Web4Lib Owner

On Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at 12:18 PM, Paul Taylor wrote:

> The message had little, if anything, to do with the web in libraries, 
> but
> more so with librarian careers (my emphasis on certain passages):
>
> "I'm seeking contributors for the January and March issues of the Info
> Career Trends electronic newsletter, which focuses on professional
> development issues FOR LIBRARIANS." (What, those of us without MLS 
> degrees
> don't require the same?)
>
> "January's theme, "multitasking," encompasses every aspect of wearing 
> many
> hats: balancing work/family responsibilities, holding down
> duties in several departments, finding the time for professional
> development while still completing daily tasks, and so on. Those of
> you who have taken on web design, training, or systems
> responsibilities in addition to a MORE TRADITIONAL LIBRARY POSITION
> may have something to say, here!" (What? In order to displace us
> NONTRADITIONAL positions with librarians straddling two fields?)
>
> "March's theme, "jobs, salaries, and raises," is as straightforward as
> it sounds. Possible topics include: job-hunting strategies, salary
> negotiation, choosing and finding the right type of position."
>
> Guess what, gang? Not everyone on this list is a librarian, and not 
> everyone
> who works in libraries is, either. It is my understanding that the 
> list is
> about using the Web in libraries, not advancing the careers of those 
> with MLS
> degrees. Please don't let the current ALA president's library salary 
> drive
> extend to this list. Thanks.
>
> I take umbrage with being told to "Use a little creative thinking". 
> Thinking
> creatively is my job, period. And I do it without a library science 
> degree.
>
> -Paul
>
>
>