Regarding a certification program through AAM...

     I believe that the UK Museums Association does something like this.
     It is more like a continuing professional development type thing --
     from what I understand about it, its kind of like taking a Bar exam
     (but then again, not really.  You have to take the bar to be a
     practicing lawyer <right?> but you do not have to be certified from
     the MA to practice in a museum).

     It's not just having a degree that "certifies" you (as implied by
     whoever it was that posted the message regarding librarians being
     required to have an MLS).  The degree is just a *requirement*.  What
     we're talking about is obtaining a certification from your
     professional organization that says you know your stuff, that you are
     committed to continuing your education, that you HAVE continued your
     education, that you are committed to help others continue their
     education, (etc.) in your chosen field.  I believe that it must help
     immensely when negotiating salary, when trying to obtain a post in
     academia, etc.  Plus, you also get to use some kind of letter thing
     after your name, along the lines of PhD or JD or whatever (i guess
     that's a big deal for some people).

     It is the support of the professional organization that is the
     certification.  The degree can come from anywhere but if your
     professional organization recognizes your professionalism (like the
     ABA, for example), that is a big bonus for you.

     I've always wondered why we don't have something like that through
     AAM.  Why do we have a professional organization that doesn't do much
     to support it's members on a personal level?  Salary surveys and
     lobbying and all that stuff is great but HEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPP
     MMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE personally once in a while.  A certification program
     (provided that the certification actually meant something, as in
     "museum must have x-% of employees certified by the AAM") would really
     be a good way to show that MY professional organization, to which I
     pay yearly dues, recognizes that *I* am a professional in need of
     something and they have a way to solve MY problem.

     I full on support whoever it was (sorry, I digest so I don't have
     individual messages saved) who suggested it here just recently.  If
     I'm going to now have to pay over $100 in AAM dues, I'd like to see
     something for my money for a change.  I think this is a GREAT idea and
     someone from AAM should talk to our UKMA counterparts for ideas.  Who,
     by the way, is responsible within the AAM for professional
     development?  Anyone know?

     Any Brits out there want to talk about it a bit more knowledgeably?

     I've been throwing around an idea (in my own head) for an AAM session
     that is related in some ways to this for about the last 3 years.  Is
     anyone interested in working with this as well?  I'm not real sure
     where it could go but it could definitely go somewhere!  Perhaps it
     could ultimately help AAM develop a certification program. I'll
     help...

     Jennifer

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