Library Organizations: Are They Worth It?

For years I have worked in a library, most of it in a public library but recent years have seen me dip my cap at academic and special librarianship.

All the while, I have never had the interest in becoming a part of the major library associations. They only time I was vaguely interested in these huge conglomerates were when National convention rolled around and they were being held in a city in which I would like to visit like the case with the ALA a few years back when they had their convention in The Big Easy.

My interest has sparked again this year with the Medical Library Association (MLA) holding a convention in Chicago during May 2008.

I would love to participate, but would like to do so for the right reasons and not for a free trip to Chi-Town.

Since, I am now working in a special/medical library; the MLA may be an association which I would like to become a member of. I will be doing some more research on this organization and let you know what I decide.

Any advice would be helpful as well.