----------------------------Original message----------------------------
To the MAPS-L list, I posted this to GOVDOC-L.  It may also be
of interest to American Library Association Map and Geography
Roundtable (MAGERT) members.  Please excuse any duplication.
 
 
I would like to speak to Kathy Tezla's question as to why FLRT
and MAGERT did not respond to ASCLA's overture to merge.
 
As the Map and Geography Roundtable (MAGERT) liaison to GODORT,
I will say that there was concern on the part of the MAGERT
executive board that the Map and Geography Roundtable could be
swallowed by a larger organization with no real benefit to
members. We discussed the possibility of joining with ASCLA,
but did not think that it would be in the best interest of the
membership.
 
MAGERT is much smaller than GODORT, and members are often also
division members of ALA divisions who join MAGERT when their work
assignments or interests include maps.  It was noted that division
dues would represent a major increase in the cost of membership,
and in the past MAGERT has been well served by the limited time
afforded it by Judy Hambrick at ALA HQ.
 
As a GODORT member, I share the concern that joining with ASCLA
may increase overhead without allowing the documents people any
more voice in ALA affairs than what we currently have as a
roundtable.  It would be unfortunate to lose the flexibility and
quick reaction time of a roundtable only to find that the other
half of the new division aren't convinced of the rightness of
a government information issue.
 
John A. Stevenson
Coordinator, Government Documents and Maps Processing Unit
University of Delaware Library
Newark, DE 19717-5267
 
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