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.