Having been an active member of ICOM since 1977, I am somewhat biased
as to the value of ICOM. The great advantage is to become affiliated
with one of the 30 international committees of ICOM which meet every year
in different countries. Many of the members are from small museums
throughout the world, and you find commonalities, plus stimulation from
sharing information. Our museum world is relatively small, but spread
widely among the multitude of cultures and peoples on every continent.
ICOM can be a valuable learning experience through the national and
int'l committees, the publications, the Documentation Center at
headquarters in Paris, and especially through the interesting people
you will meet. In addition, AAM/ICOM, the U.S. national committee,has
an exchange-of-staff program for which you may be eligible. Contact
Marilou Wood at AAM/ICOM for more information.