From a letter received this weeK: “It is my pleasure to inform you that you are being considered for inclusion into the 2006/2007 Cambridge Who’s Who Among Professional Librarians and Library Administrators ‘Honors Edition’ of the registry.” This courtesy of Cambridge Who’s Who of Uniondale, New York.

The letter notes that “Inclusion is considered by many as the single highest mark of achievement.” A generic personal information card accompanies the letter asking for name,title, company name, company address, business and home phones (neither for publication), e-mail address, “Web address,” industry, “principal product, service or activity, personal specialty and type of business.

The Web site says “The Cambridge Who’s Who Who registry is a compilation of member biographies highlighting their company, expertise, and achievements.” Since it requires a member login, it looks like one has to pay for the privilege to see his or her own entry. This registry is supposed to help one’s career through networking with others listed. Can you think of any other professional group as well networked as librarians?

I haven’t seen anything like this since my kids were in high school and received various come-ons from vanity press who’s who books published to list students’ names so that their parents would buy the book for bragging rights. I wonder how long after submitting this in-depth biographical information before those unpublished phone numbers start ringing with sales pitches to pay to join the registry.

One would think librarians would be the last group that such a scheme would target!